Honda Worldwide | Improvement in Fuel Economy

CONTENTSResults of Environmental Conservation Activities in Fiscal 2004Product Development Domain AutomobilesImprovement in Fuel Economy

Improvement in Fuel Economy

Progress towards Targets to Be Achieved by 2005

Honda has introduced various technologies for improving fuel economy as a way of reducing CO2 emissions, which are responsible for global warming.
As a result, the Elysion and the Edix*, which were launched in fiscal 2004, met the fuel economy standards for fiscal 2010.

* Excluding some types

Targets

• Up to fiscal 2005: To achieve the new 2010 fuel efficiency standards of Japan for all weight categories
• Up to fiscal 2005: To improve the average fuel economy by approximately 25% (compared with fiscal 1995)

* Average fuel economy in Japan (for gasoline-powered passenger vehicles)

Progress

• The 2010 Fuel Economy Standards of Japan were attained in all weight categories. In fiscal 2004, we were able to achieve the following progress.
• Average fuel economy was improved by approximately 30.9% (compared with fiscal 1995) and achieved the objective for 2005 (improvement in average fuel economy by approximately 25%) every year since fiscal 2001.

Types Conforming to 2010 Fuel Economy Standards and Shipment Results*

In accordance with an amendment to the Energy Saving Law of Japan, the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards were announced. Honda is making efforts to increase the types that exceed the values.
Of the models sold in fiscal 2004, two models (eight types) newly met the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards. As a result, a total of 27 models (65 types) currently meet the standards. Also, two models (four types) were newly certified as vehicles that meet the “2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%” requirement, and a total of 21 models (48 types) are now certified as such vehicles.
The number of vehicles shipped in fiscal 2004 that meet these standards was 669,691, approximately 90% of all Honda vehicles shipped within Japan.

* Shipment results reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Models	Types Meeting the Standards
Elysion	All types
Edix	All types, excluding 4WDs with a displacement of 2.0L

: All types meet the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%

: Some types meet the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%

Standard Eco Drive Devices

Many Honda models come standard with eco drive devices, such as fuel economy meters. As of March 2005, 18 Honda models come equipped with fuel economy meters, accounting for approximately 60.4% of all Honda vehicles sold within Japan. Also, six models (three of which have fuel economy meters) come equipped with eco lamps, which light up when the car is being economically driven, i.e., in a cruising condition or in deceleration. Honda models equipped with either fuel economy meters or eco lamps account for approximately 72.7% of all Honda vehicles sold within Japan in fiscal 2004.

Fuel Economy for Main Models

Elysion

All types of the Elysion model, which was put on the market in May 2004, were approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as a vehicle that meets the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5% requirement. With its V6 3.0-L i-VTEC engine, the Elysion achieved the highest level in its class¹ for power output and torque as well as fuel economy (9.8 km/L²) due to its variable cylinder management system, which shifts between three- and 6-cylinder combustion according to driving conditions, as well as its precise throttle control function using drive-by-wire (DBW) technology. With its 2.4-L 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine, the Elysion has achieved a fuel economy of 10.2 km/L² by adopting the variable valve timing control (VTC) system, which continuously varies the intake valve timing phase in accordance with engine load, and a function to stop one of two intake valves at a low engine speed.

1. 3.0-L class minivan
2. Fuel economy in 10-15 mode (This figure was obtained during an inspection made by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.)

Insight

The Insight

For the hybrid model Insight, which provides both high fuel economy and the joy of driving, Honda adopted an engine under-cover to improve the car’s aerodynamic performance. At the same time, the IMA system was improved. As a result, the Insight’s fuel economy was improved from 35.0 km/L* to 36.0 km/L, achieving the world’s highest class performance in fuel economy.

* For five-speed MT vehicles in 10-15 mode

Legend

Weight reduction is an effective measure of improving fuel economy. The Legend, which went on sale in October 2004, has achieved a significant reduction of 151 kg in weight*. In addition, its more efficient VTEC-based combustion system and improved aerodynamic performance have contributed to the achievement of fuel economy of 8.6 km/L while ensuring high output and high driving performance through the adoption of the SH-AWD system.

* Compared with those manufactured by the use of traditional technologies and materials