With the announcement of their next generation Earth Dreams Technology engines last week in Tokyo, Honda also presented working prototypes for the media to sample the new tech. At Honda’s Twin-Ring Motegi track, Motor Trend got the chance to test three potential Acura drivetrains: the 3.5-liter V6 with Hybrid SH-AWD, the direct injected 2.4-liter I4, and the 1.6-liter turbodiesel.

Here is what they had to say about the new 3.5-liter Hybrid SH-AWD:

“Relative to today’s mechanical SH-AWD, which relies upon planetary gears to multiply torque to one rear wheel or the other when accelerative force is being applied, the rear-mounted electric motors can accelerate or slow either wheel independent of throttle position, so they can apply torque-vectoring under steady-state cruising and deceleration as well as acceleration. Engineers claim it can also apply power regenerated from an inside wheel to accelerate the outside wheel, though we suspect those electrons get routed through the battery. We only got one brief lap, but it was enough to suggest the V-8-performance claims have merit and that the electrified rear axle does indeed enhance handling over a much wider set of driving circumstances. It also feels really green to be able to arrive at and depart a stoplight (or a Hollywood red carpet) silently in EV mode.”  – Frank Markus, Motor Trend

The new SH-AWD system sounds a bit complex but very promising if it can deliver the proposed performance. I haven’t heard any news of diesel engines coming to Acura, but the new 2.4L engine is the likely candidate for the future TSX or sub-TSX models.

Read Frank’s complete preview of the three vehicles at motortrend.com.

[Source: Motor Trend]