Honda unveils true Atkinson Cycle engine

Only Honda can do what everyone fails at.

— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 12:03:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

"What! Who do you think you are fooling? Most of what Honda and Nissan does comes from their top rival The Toyota Motor Corp. Honda is peanuts compared to Toyota. No dis-respect but don't go there. I guess Tango you think if it's good enough for a Honda lawnmower it's good enough for a Honda car. You are what you are...but hopefully not a small thinker.

— lexworld (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 12:18:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

And Badgewhore what are you talking about, Honda lawnmowers or Honda cars?

— lexworld (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 12:20:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Well, Lexworld, my posting of this bit of information is in no way implying my support of anything at all. If you want my opinion, you can ask. In fact, my opinion on the matter is that it's a good idea. Doesn't matter what the application or who is pushing it. Anything that improves upon the paltry efficiency (circa 20%) of the internal combustion engine is good for business. Homgeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), variable compression ratio (VCR), variable valve timing (VVT), Atkinson/Miller cycles, direct injection (DI), controlled combustion engines (CCE), you name it, I find them interesting. I'm neither supporting Honda nor bashing Toyota, so you're really barking up the wrong tree, my friend.

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 12:43:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I just love Honda's engineers

— DoctorC (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 2:44:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I wish they could put there technology back into sportscars and racing. No F1, No more S2000 or replacement, No NSX.

— Driver8 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 3:50:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Well done Honda. Such a simple solution. Combine that piston mechanism with compression ignition (diesel) and a higher CR (~14:1) and you've got a real winner for fuel economy.

— GreenPlease (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 8:27:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

SAAB has an similar engine which predates honda's setup!

— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 8:32:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

honda is THE premier engine company on the planet. not just in volume, but in advanced technology.

their TEN YEAR OLD motorcycle engines outclassed current NEW bmw engines until only recently. and 20 yr old honda bikes are STILL FASTER than brand new harleys with twice the engine size and more.

then, there's the Honda Jet...

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2009 7:55:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Didn't the Mazda Millenia have this?

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 12:42:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The millenia S engine was a miller cycle engine not an atkinson, similar but not the same.

— achiles (View Profile)

Posted on 7/27/2009 2:17:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The Millenia also falls into the "simulated" category. A Miller cycle is basically an Atkinson cycle with a supercharger added to compensate for the lack of fuel charge that Akinsons inherently encounter. In the case of the simulated Atkinson cycle it's the valve timing that is used to bring about the above-explaned effect. During the compression stroke, the intake valve is left open until the piston is about half way or so up the travel. Prior to this point there is no significant compresson taking place, but the piston works against the fuel charge. So if you leave the valve open there is reduced restriction in piston movement. The problem is that while the vale is open the piston is pushing some of the charge back out. This is where the supercharger acts to force that charge back in. I think it's six of one and half dozen of the other when it comes to cost of production and fuel savings. It burns about 13% or so less fuel than a comparable (power-wise) Otto cycle engine, but the costs involved are greater. If the Mazda engine was a true Miller it would have a crankshaft arrangement like the Honda above. The result is the same I suppose, but if variable valve timing is added to the engine above, coupled with variable compression ratio, direct injection, and (okay, lets put Ford in the argument) laser ignition, we might be on to something!

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2009 12:04:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2