Abstract An electric powertrain has been developed for Honda’s 2017 model hybrid SUV . The electric powertrain developed for the hybrid model consists of a Twin Motor Unit (TMU), a high-output front motor mated to a 7-speed DCT for efficient power generation, a Power Control Unit (PCU), and an Intelligent Power Unit (IPU). The TMU is made up of two motor units able to drive the left and right wheels independently, as employed in Honda’s flagship sedan and high-end sports cars. The PCU delivers electric power to the motors, and the IPU stores drive torque and regenerative energy. The high-output front motor and TMU are equipped with sports hybrid SH-AWD components, as used in existing mass-production models, in order to realize handling performance equaling that of the base SUV . Positioned under the floor outside the passenger cabin, the PCU has a newly developed 3-in-1 inverter, motor control ECU, and 12V DC-DC converter built-in, and is housed in a fully waterproof structure. The layout of battery cooling ducts in the IPU has been simplified to increase the compactness of the unit, allowing it to be positioned in the cabin beneath the first row of seats. These technologies have reduced the overall volume of the PCU and IPU by 39% against previous models. The positioning of the PCU and IPU under the floor has made it possible to realize equivalent seating comfort for seven adults to the base SUV . The use of these technologies in the hybrid SUV model has realized fuel economy performance of 26 mpg for city driving and 27 mpg for highway driving, for a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg. 1. Introduction Today, there is an increasing need to realize technologies that reduce CO2 in automotive exhaust gas and increase fuel efficiency as a means of reducing the greenhouse gases that are a factor in global warming. The use of hybrid systems is available as a means of realizing these goals, and in this category, Honda has independently developed the SPORT HYBRID i-MMD, SPORT HYBRID i-DCD, and SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD systems, which offer users the pleasure of superior handling in addition to a higher level of fuel efficiency. The SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD in particular is a system that offers users the joy of agile handling, and has already been fitted in a flagship sedan and a super sports car. Honda has now developed a hybrid SUV as the third model to be fitted with its SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD system. The development goals for the SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD system to be used in the hybrid SUV were as follows: • Realization of a level of powerful takeoff performance and fuel efficiency performance equivalent to that of other hybrid vehicles. • Realization of a level of takeoff acceleration performance rivaling that of the base SUV , with fuel efficiency performance exceeding the base vehicle’s. • Realization of a level of handling performance equivalent to that of the base SUV provided with the SH-AWD system • Realization of a level of livability equivalent to that of the base SUV This paper will introduce the SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD system for the hybrid SUV that was developed in order to realize these goals, as well as the PCU and IPU that were developed for the system. 2. System Overview 2.1 SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD: System Overview Figure 1 shows an overview of the SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD system. The SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD is an electric powertrain consisting of a front system combining a motor and a 7-speed DCT, and, at the rear, a TMU with two inbuilt motors. The system is able to operate in EV Drive Mode, using only motor power, and Hybrid Drive Mode, using the motors and the engine. The combination of the motors and a V6 engine makes it possible to supply drive force to the tires from the engine, while the front motor acts as a generator, generating power Development of Electric Powertrain for New Model Hybrid Sports Utility Vehicle2017-01-1158 Published 03/28/2017 Tomohiro fukazu and Yuhei Matsuo Honda R&D Co., Ltd. CITATION