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Honda has developed an “Independent Left and Right Rear Toe Control System” that can achieve stable cornering performance and agile handling. We believe the issue that should be resolved in the next generation of ESC is the expansion of stability and agility into the general operation area. We examined how to accomplish this aim, and control of the independent rear toe angle was decided to be an appropriate method. In addition, a method for mounting the system without using a dedicated suspension was proposed. If left and right toe angles can be controlled independently, toe angle control and normal 4WS control become possible at the same time. In this paper, we will discuss the fundamental principle of independent toe angle control and the system configuration. Also, “INOMAMA Handling” (at driver's will) achieved by this system, as well as the fun and safe driving that are achieved as a result will be shown.

The current Brazilian tax legislation promotes vehicles, powered by engines with up to 1.0l displacement. In order to offer the customer an engine with the maximum tax advantage, a supercharged derivative of the Ford 1.0l Zetec RoCam engine was developed. The market specific boundary conditions in South America require powertrains with immediate response especially at low engine speeds. This can be achieved by a supercharged engine concept. The paper discusses the required engine modifications for the supercharger application. The combustion system was changed to benefit from the higher volumetric efficiency, including the optimisation of the intake, exhaust and bypass control system. Extensive modifications of the base engine were required to adapt the engine to the higher thermal load and the specific boundary condition of a supercharger application.