P84
FEATURE I EICMA 2024
HONDA V3
ELECTRIC
SUPERCHARGER
CONCEPT
Honda has released the first
details on what would be the first
electronically supercharged mo-
tor in motorcycling history.
Packaged atop a brand-new
75°, liquid-cooled V3 motor, the
concept uses an electric motor to
spin a turbine, which increases air
density for combustion. Essential-
ly, it functions as a supercharger,
though it isn't powered by the
engine's crankshaft as is typical.
Unlike turbochargers, which
use exhaust gases to pressurize
incoming air, superchargers draw
power from other sources, such as
a belt drive or gear drive. Honda
has taken the concept a step
further by using electrical power to
create the forced induction.
With the compressor powered
by an electric motor, the layout is
more flexible than a crankshaft-
driven supercharger. Additionally,
it doesn't require an intercooler,
contributing to a more compact
design.
The electronic supercharger
concept is not so new in the auto
-
motive sector, with Audi the first to
use a similar design in their SQ7
TDI SUV back in 2017 when they
bolted an electric blower to their
four-liter diesel V8.
The Audi design used a 48V
power source to provide the
required spin of the impeller to
make the required horsepower, a
system that is obviously not going
