[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Honda has unveiled the world’s first V3 motorcycle engine with an electrical compressor, at EICMA 2024

The water-cooled 75-degree V3 engine is being newly developed for larger displacement motorcycles, and has been designed to be extremely slim and compact. It features the world’s first electrical compressor for motorcycles, which is able to control compression of the intake air irrespective of engine rpm, meaning that high-response torque can be delivered even from lower rpm. In addition, the electrical compressor allows a high degree of freedom of layout of all components in the limited space available on a motorcycle and efficient centralization of mass. It also does not require any form of intercooler.







Honda plans to apply the new V3 engine to larger displacement models in the future, and will continue its development toward mass production.

[hikozaru]

Those headers looks as gorgeous as the ones on the CB650R

[RahulNagaraj]

Honda has announced the development of a new engine for its large-displacement motorcycles.

The new power unit comes in the form of a 75-degree V3 unit, promising to be both compact & high-performing. The compact nature of the engine is thanks to its layout which has two cylinders towards the front and a single cylinder towards the rear.



The V3 unit from Honda is also the world's first motorcycle engine to feature an electric forced induction. The electric compressor ensures the engine provides high torque even at lower revs. The compressor tech allows the intake air's compression to be controlled independently of engine speed. The engine also doesn't need an intercooler, which further saves space. The new tech claims a smooth and responsive riding experience.

The V3 engine, Honda claims, caters to a large spectrum of riders from daily commuters to those seeking high-performance. Honda will mass produce the V3 engine in the near future.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP news

[BullettuPaandi]

Interesting idea. Basically sounds like a 'hybridised' (by which I mean, the 'cut down a couple cylinders and provide electric assist' approach in the cars industry, that car enthusiasts love from the bottom of their heart) V5 engine Honda used for MotoGP, but one that makes sense and motorcycle enthusiasts might actually love!

But, I'm a bit sceptic of the EFI system. If at all an EFI system on a motorcycle battery can be practically viable, surely it can only provide the boost for a brief period of time (correct me if I'm wrong). Not mentioning this and stating just 'The electric compressor ensures the engine provides high torque even at lower revs', sounds a bit misleading to me. It's also unclear why an intercooler isn't needed- is the compressor also liquid cooled?

[FireBlade]

Hope Honda launches a sport bike based on this engine/chassis combo. It's going to be simply awesome

[PreludeSH]

Great ! Being independent of the engine as in case of either turbo or supercharger, they can control boost and turn on and off when neeeded. Hope the battery doesn't have to be big .

[Aluminium]

Originally Posted by BullettuPaandi

It's also unclear why an intercooler isn't needed- is the compressor also liquid cooled?

Intercooler is used for turbochargers using exhaust gas to spool up. The air thus compressed will be really hot and make the engine less efficient. Even H2R uses a supercharger but needs no intercooler. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[BullettuPaandi]

Originally Posted by Aluminium

Intercooler is used for turbochargers using exhaust gas to spool up. The air thus compressed will be really hot and make the engine less efficient. Even H2R uses a supercharger but needs no intercooler. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Regardless of what is used to spin a turbo/supercharger/electric compressor, be it exhaust gas, belt/shaft, electricity, heat is generated from compression of the air (as per Ideal Gas Law, PV = nRT). Rapider the compression, larger the heat. (Some heat may be due to mechanical friction in the system, that gets carrier over to the air, but we can ignore this as it's the case for any system)

These electrical compressors provide near-instant compressed air, and thus heat up a lot. The H2R uses a centrifugal supercharger, which runs relatively less hot, as it compress the air relatively gradually over a bit more area. The H2R also has a RAM air intake, which should help with cooling.