It feels like the era of downsizing engines and adding complex turbocharger systems might soon come to an end. Honda has announced that it’s developing a new V-6 engine that will serve as an integral part of the automaker’s next-generation hybrid system, one that will power its future large hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)in North America.
The new powertrain will hit the market in 2027 and will feature “powerful driving performance and high towing capacity.” We don’t know how much power the new hybrid system will produce, but the automaker’s current V-6—a 3.5-liter engine that powers the Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline—generates 285 horsepower and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
The new engine might not produce as much power if Honda is aiming for its HEVs to have 30 percent better fuel efficiency compared to its current combustion-powered offerings. The automaker also hopes to improve full-throttle acceleration performance by more than 10 percent, so it’s not entirely focused on mpgs.
It’s unclear whether the new hybrid system will launch in an all-new model or an existing one. Honda recently updated the Pilot, but the current-generation Ridgeline and Odyssey are nearing the end of their life cycle.
Photo by: Honda
Honda has already announced it’s developing new four-cylinder engines in 1.5- and 2.0-liter displacements for future hybrid vehicles, so combustion power isn’t dead yet. However, carmakers are incorporating electrification to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on gasoline.
In recent months, many other automakers have announced new commitments to developing gasoline engines, including Cadillac, Bentley, and BMW. With EV sales stagnating in the United States, companies are shifting back to combustion power.
Honda’s V-6 announcement was part of a larger presentation of several new technologies it’s developing. The company also showed off a next-generation mid-size platform that’ll arrive in 2027, which is stiffer and lighter than the current body structure.
If Honda’s new hybrid launches in less than two years, we can expect to see the products it’ll power very soon.
