News about the Japanese manufacturer's plans to introduce a whole set of solutions united under the Earth Dreams brand into the process of creating powertrains and gearboxes became known last spring. With this step, Honda responded to similar initiatives from competitors: Mazda Motor implemented such a program in the form of the Skyactiv family, and a little earlier Ford introduced EcoBoost engines.
The Earth Dreams concept is based on several key technical solutions that make it related to the aforementioned developments of other brands. These include the introduction of direct fuel injection, refinement of variable valve timing mechanisms, an increase in compression ratio (applies to gasoline engines), as well as more active use of continuously variable transmissions.
Thanks to this, the company expects to reduce harmful emissions from Honda vehicles by 30 percent by 2020 and achieve a similar increase in fuel efficiency.
A significant stage in the implementation of the Earth Dreams program will be the release of the new generation of the Accord model — for this car, all engines will undergo a complete overhaul in accordance with the new concept.
The company has already announced the start of production of new engines and transmissions at its American facilities. Engine assembly began at the plant in Anna (Ohio), and gearboxes at the plant in Russells Point, located in the same state.
Detailed technical parameters will be announced closer to the time the Accord goes on sale, but it is already clear that the model will, for the first time in its history, receive a continuously variable transmission. The previous 5-speed automatic gearbox, which was often criticized for insufficient efficiency, will remain in the past; some versions will feature a new 6-speed gearbox.
For now, the assembly line produces 2.4-liter engines, but production of 3.5-liter units will soon begin. In Europe, Honda's ambitions regarding Earth Dreams are no less serious. The first step here will be a new 1.6-liter diesel for the Civic, which will be offered to customers at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. This same powertrain will also appear under the hood of the European version of the new CR-V.
