zero2sixty

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. recently staged a 4-day exhibition during the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) at the World Trade Center. Having ‘Blue Skies for our Children’ as theme, the exhibit shared Honda’s fervent commitment to preserve the environment.

Honda has taken conservation measures as early as 1960s, long before environmental challenges have gone critically evident. In 1966, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Founder, Soichiro Honda once said, “Leave blue skies for our children.” This has been Honda’s longstanding commitment for more than four decades now.

Carried out in a friendly and airy fashion, the display showed Honda’s ecologically sound technologies that remain true to its promise. It featured the latest in Honda’s roster of cars: the Honda City, Jazz, Civic, CR-V and Accord. All powered by the ingenious i-VTEC engine, Honda vehicles make the most out of every drop of fuel by adjusting valve timing and valve opening combination to pump in fuel as needed only. Apart from fuel efficiency, Honda vehicles are also engineered to release less harmful emissions. Honda is the only local manufacturer that reaches EURO 4 levels for ALL its model line-up, even if Philippine regulations only mandate EURO 2 compliance. EURO 4 standards translate to approximately 56% reduction in harmful emissions as compared to EURO 2 standards. To date, almost 82,000 Honda units with EURO 4 levels have already been sold and ply Philippine roads.

Lessons learned from the CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine technology, the first engine to meet the almost then impossible emission standards of the 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act, have paved the way in the development of Honda’s new products and technologies which set the standard in mobility and environmental conservation.



In improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon footprint, Honda recognizes hybrid as the most practical technology at the moment. Honda’s original Insight introduced in 1999 was the first gasoline-electric car sold in the U.S. Using Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology, the gasoline engine serves as the main power source of the vehicle while the electric motor provides additional power as needed. Thereafter, other gasoline-electric powered models soon emerged like the Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid. Last year, Honda introduced the all-new Insight. Boasting excellent fuel economy at an affordable price, the Insight is designed to pass on hybrid technology to the mass market. A year after, the CR-Z model was launched in Japan. Equipped with 1.5 li i-VTEC engine, IMA technology and the world’s first 6-speed manual transmission in a hybrid, the CR-Z is a sports coupe that promises a responsive and enjoyable driving experience with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid. As of May 2010, Honda has cumulative global hybrid sales of 500,000 units.

In exploring alternative power sources, Honda has introduced models that use natural gas, ethanol and hydrogen. Honda’s FCX Clarity is a fuel cell electric vehicle that runs on hydrogen. In the fuel cell, hydrogen is combined with oxygen to produce electricity. FCX Clarity has ZERO carbon dioxide emission and that its only emission is potable water. What makes this technology even better is that its fuel efficiency is up to 3x that of a gasoline-powered vehicle and 2x that of a gasoline-electric powered vehicle.

As the challenging spirit lives on, Honda continues to bring in new insights in the field of mobility. Honda presented the development of U3-X during PIMS. U3-X is a new generation of personal mobility device that makes movement as easy and as natural as walking. It uses the same balance technology of ASIMO to maintain its upright position. It is capable of moving in every direction without having the need to turn the device. To achieve this, U3-X employ’s the world’s first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System) which utilizes a larger, forward and backward moving inner wheel and a series of smaller sideways moving outer wheels. Meanwhile, diagonal movement is achieved when both forward and sideways moving wheels operate in tandem.

Weighing roughly 22 pounds, this lightweight and compact device has a foldable seat and retractable footrests for easy handling. In making the device both user and pedestrian-friendly, the structure of U3-X puts the rider at approximately the same eye-level as other people, just like when you are walking.

Its lithium-ion battery pack provides up to one-hour of power. Its battery can be recharged by simply plugging the device to a conventional 120-volt power outlet.

The possibilities are endless if you believe in the power of dreams. Naturally gifted with inquisitive minds and challenging spirit, Honda will never stop searching for technological breakthroughs to achieve sustainable mobility. Honda will tirelessly turn creative ideas into reality for our children to enjoy clear, blue skies.

|