And we try two-motor hybrid destined for next Honda CR-V

NEXT year Honda will launch a new ‘two-motor’ hybrid vehicle in Europe. Bosses have yet to confirm what form that model will take, but it’s a safe bet that the powertrain will feature in the new CR-V, which launched at April’s Shanghai Motor Show.

The system is called I-MMD (Intelligent Multi Mode Drive), and we tested it in an Odyssey MPV prototype. It comprises a 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors powered by an 11kwh lithium-ion battery. Honda claims it develops 212bhp and 315Nm of torque in total. However, unlike in a Toyota Prius, there is no physical transmission. Instead, it’s replicated by the engine and electric motors. Removing the gearbox dramatically reduces the size of the overall powertrain, saves weight and increases efficiency, according to Honda. In the Odyssey over 61mpg is claimed, but that figure should rise when fitted to the more compact CR-V.

The system automatically shuffles between three modes: EV drive, hybrid drive and engine drive. From a standstill the Odyssey pulls away swiftly and silently. Development is still ongoing, but a maximum EV range of about two miles is unlikely to be improved on.

Accelerate and power is fed in smoothly, if noisily. In hybrid mode the front wheels are still driven by the electric motor with the engine supplying power to the second motor (electric generator), which feeds the battery to power the wheels. The system acts and feels like it’s using a CVT box, with engine revs spiking dramatically if you accelerate hard. Refinement isn’t the powertrain’s strength here, but once cruising, the engine takes over power delivery, driving the front wheels via a small clutch to maximise efficiency. Ask for more power and the electric motors step in to offer extra shove, but the engine becomes vocal again.

Verdict on clever hybrid set-up Drivetrain has no transmission “System automatically shuffles between EV drive, hybrid drive and engine drive modes”