In parallel with the electric transition, Honda is pushing forward with the development of internal combustion engines and at EICMA 2024 (Hall 15 – Stand E70,I30,I31,E70SOP). Honda unveiled the ICE Concept: an innovative liquid-cooled 75° V3 engine equipped with an electric compressor. The ICE Concept will power the Japanese manufacturer’s new medium-high displacement motorbikes, set to arrive in the not so distant future.
Applied for the first time on a motorbike engine, the electric supercharger is able to control intake air pressure independently of engine speed, resulting in high torque delivery from low rpm. In this configuration, the supercharger does not need an intercooler. In addition, the new ICE Concept has extremely compact dimensions, both longitudinally and transversely, and gives the designers ample freedom in the positioning of all components in the limited space of a motorbike, allowing centralisation of mass.
Honda’s motorcycle business aims to provide products that meet the needs of various customers by offering a wide range of products from commuters to FUN models. In addition, Honda is taking on the challenge of developing advanced technologies by adding electric motorcycles and other products to its product lineup to meet the diversifying needs of today’s customers.
Honda sees the development of this V3 engine with an electrical compressor as a new challenge in the area of internal combustion engines, and its goal is to enable customers to further experience the joy of riding and owning a motorcycle. Honda plans to apply the new V3 engine to larger displacement models in the future, and will continue its development toward mass production.
The V3 engine is not new to Honda, those with a good memory will remember the legendary NS400R 2-stroke of the mid-1980s, the forerunner of this project.