How It Works

In simple terms, here's how Honda's all-wheel drive tech works in the 2020 CR-V Hybrid

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Mar 17, 2020, 9:10 am

The Honda CR-V Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive. Here, the driver tests the system in a rodeo ring in Tucson, Arizona during the launch of the vehicle.

Photo by Eileen Falkenberg-Hull

Honda has debuted the CR-V Hybrid for the 2020 model year. The traditional Honda CR-V comes standard with front-wheel drive and is available with all-wheel drive. The CR-V Hybrid only comes with "Real Time" all-wheel drive and is available in LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid has a two-motor hybrid system and mechanical all-wheel drive.

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid The all-wheel drive system shuts off when conditions don't warrant its use, helping drivers to achieve better fuel economy.Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc

A look at the car's underside reveals that it has two axles that each attach to two wheels. The axles are connected by a drive shaft.

At the intersection of the front axle and drive shaft is the two-motor hybrid system and a transfer case. The transfer case is a mechanical device that transfers power from the transmission to the front and rear axles via the drive shaft.

At the intersection of the drive shaft and the rear axle, there is a differential. The differential is a set of gears that allows the car's wheels to revolve at different speeds, as needed.

Not all all-wheel drive systems operate all of the time. The ones that don't are called part-time all-wheel drive systems. The Honda CR-V Hybrid has one of these systems. This allows the driver to receive the benefits of an all-wheel drive system as well as the fuel efficiency that comes with front- or rear-wheel drive when the conditions are right.

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My Name Is

McLaren reveals high-performance hybrid supercar to be called 'Artura', will get a V6

McLaren has chosen an easy-to-pronounce name for its new hybrid supercar - Artura.

Photo courtesy of McLaren Automotive

McLaren is about to mark the beginning of a new era in hybrid powertrain engineering. In the first half of 2021, its high-performance hybrid series production supercar will go on sale and we now know what it will be named.

The McLaren Artura builds on the legacy of the McLaren P1TM hybrid hypercar, which was unveiled in 2012, and the Speedtail Hyper-GT, which entered production this year and the fastest McLaren ever with a top speed of 250 mph.

"Every element of the Artura is all-new – from the platform architecture and every part of the High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, to the exterior body, interior and cutting-edge driver interface – but it draws on decades of McLaren experience in pioneering super-lightweight race and road car technologies to bring all of our expertise in electrification to the supercar class," said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive.

Mclaren Artura The Artura badging sits on what is likely the rear of the car.Photo courtesy of McLaren Automotive

It will be the first car to be built on the company's new platform architecture, which has been optimized for electrification. Design and engineering of the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture took place in the U.K. at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre.

Two photos released by the company show what is likely the back of the Artura, with a honeycomb design beneath the car's badging between two exhaust outlets.

The Artura will get a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine that combines with an electric motor. This will be the engine's debut. McLaren says that the engine retains the performance benefits of the company's larger V8s but has improved torque response at low engine speeds. The Artura can also run on all-electric power.

The weight of the hybrid engine system has been offset by the application of weight-saving technologies throughout the chassis, body, and powertrain. Ahead of a full product reveal, McLaren is touting the car's class-leading weight advantage.

The McLaren Artura is expected to be revealed soon. Pricing will likely be announced at that time.

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Giveaway

Here's how to win the 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Serial Plate 001

Honda has teamed up with Omaze to auction off a 2021 Honda Civic Type R to benefit HBCUs.

Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

Starting today, Honda fans can enter to win the 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Serial Plate 001. Honda has teamed with online fundraising platform Omaze to offer the car alongside a unique driving experience on the track with Honda IndyCar driver, Colton Herta. Flights and hotel are included for the winner and a friend.

"We're excited to link Honda's 'racing spirit' and the all-new Civic Type R Limited Edition to benefit Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund," said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "One lucky Type R fan is going to take home a very special vehicle and have an exclusive driving experience at a Honda track with Colton Herta, while helping support the needs of HBCU students navigating their education during COVID-19."

2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Serial Plate 001

2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Serial Plate 001

Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

Here's how it works. Bidders donate to the chose cause via Omaze and gain entries to win the car. The number of entries given is based on the dollar amount donated. For this auction, $10 gets you 100 entries, $25 gets $250 entries, $50 gets 1,000 entries, and $100 gets 2,000 entries. You can also donate without entering, or pay a smaller amount for less entries.

The 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition that has been put up for the giveaway is one of just 600 that will be made. It's painted Phoenix Yellow and has a gloss black roof, hood scoop, and mirror caps. The Civic badge at the rear is dark chrome and it runs on lightweight BBS wheels.

This Type R has been optimized for track performance. It has had 46 pounds of weight removed (sound deadening, rear seat heater vents, rear window wiper) ad given unique suspension and steering settings.

It includes the roster of updates that were made on 2020 Type R and carry over to 2021 including updated front and rear styling, a larger grille opening and high-capacity radiator, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, weighted shift knob, and a standard suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver assist technologies.

Fans can enter for a chance to win, starting today through Feb. 18, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. PST: Omaze.com/CivicTypeR.

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