History repeating itself?

As I write this, Feb 2013,  the current automatic Honda Jazz models in the United Kingdom use a CVT based transmission. The hybrid automatic additionally uses the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system to provide sufficient torque to allow an engine set-up that if used alone wouldn't be generally acceptable. This engine set-up allows for an aggressively frugal approach to be taken and consequently despite the additional weight of the batteries, electric motor and additional hybrid drivetrain bits and bobs still has a better fuel efficiency than either the CVT or manual transmission Jazz models.

So I always assumed that the next car after Shifty would be back to CVT, possibly a hybrid but most likely still a Jazz. However I have been forced to feel that the 60+ MPG combined figure of  the Jazz hybrid wasn't really high enough above the 58+ MPG figure of the Jazz CVT to make it worthwhile.

In fact the 80+ MPG figure of the 2012 Toyota Yaris hybrid was looking a brilliant figure. This is an almost diesel like MPG figure without being a diesel! The drivetrain on the Yaris is pretty much simply a downscaled version of the Prius and Auris hybrids so they should be easily able to cope with the typical moderate annual mileages we do. The design is very good too with an Atkinson cycle engine and superb and complex transmission which is CVT based but has an electric motor incorporated in a manner such that, unlike the current Jazz hybrid, it can solely move the car at speeds up to 30MPH. There is also the option for the driver to select EV (Electric Vehicle)  mode - again not something possible in the Jazz due to the mechanical set-up of the gasoline engine, the IMA system and the CVT transmission.

However we're not considering a car change until well into the future - 2018 - five years away. So what could Honda have cooked up in that time. Possibly something that could close the MPG gap between their small hybrid Jazz and that of the Yaris? It just might happen. I came across some interesting news on Honda's World media site. I know they have a new design push going on called Earth Dreams - the latest thing in the UK is the new Civic 1.6 iDTEC - but I just found out that they're also doing something with their hybrid and transmission thinking.

The Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive system is one new technology that may well become used in a small sized Honda like the Jazz. Honda has announced that they will be using the transmission with an Atkinson Cycle 1.5 litre petrol engine. The "iDCD" system will be a 7-gear, dual-clutch transmission with an integrated electric motor. And, it can also do EV at low speeds.

I guess this drivetrain possibility will give an automatic option to the smaller petrol engine in the current Civic range too. Currently, since the dropping of iShift on the 1.4 engine UK model, only the 1.8 litre petrol engine has an automatic transmission and a hydraulic one at that. It would also give the UK Civic a hybrid option using the same European Civic shape that is currently missing from the current UK range offering.

So the moral of the story is if you wait long enough history does repeat itself. In this case iShift, albeit improved with dual-dry plate clutch and sequential shifting and an integrated electric motor gearbox might be coming back and might just be in a Jazz! In that light, it could be that a new Shifty might just replace the old Shifty and we'll not ever have another CVT from Honda.

Painful lessons will have been learnt by Honda over the automated manual transmission (AMT) they put in the 2010 model year Jazz and which is at our Shifty's heart. I'm sure that all the naughty characteristics of iShift will have been tamed into what will become a well behaved predictable and smooth transmission. After all, they will have a whole new set of CVT experienced drivers to please and Honda already know that they expect very well behaved transmissions or, as before, they'll go elsewhere. With Toyota's open arms ready to greet them I hope the engineers at Honda will make a beautifully drivable but highly efficient (80+ MPG) petrol car and they'll offer it in the next generation Jazz.

Happiness can continue. Shifty ecstatic.

Shifty is three this weekend. And we bought a little present. Something that brings more happiness to an already content little car.

Happiness is Honda's extended warranty package. Covering all the usual expensive bits like the many hundred pound electromechanical I-shift actuators and all the smarts in those little black boxes that do so much to make Shifty work so well.

Chatting to our friendly Honda garage foreman he advised us that to save us from later claim disappointments we should get the wear and tear add-on. Since Shifty likes eating up miles of road adding an option that reduces the likelihood of claim hassles makes sense. For only an extra 5 pounds a month, it does make sense!

We also added the breakdown cover option. This includes home assistance and recovery to a specified address. With loan car and hotel cover included as needed.

The whole package was £350 with a £35 a month for ten months option to save cutting into our savings.

So Shifty is happy. We're happy. In fact, there's Happiness all around.

81000 miles - and all OK

On our annual winter pilgrimage to the Orkney Islands we have to negotiate the Berriedale Braes on the A9 trunk road. It's a steep downhill followed immediately with a steep uphill. It's serious enough a hazard to include emergency escape sand traps for heavy good vehicles with failing brakes.

It was immediately after negotiating the 'Braes that we noticed a repeating chirping noise that increases in frequency as road speed increased. The chirping continued for a few miles after the 'Braes and then went away.

The noise came back again a week later, again after going through the 'Braes. Again going away after a few miles.

Since the car was due a service I decided to bring it up with the workshop when it was in the Garage. It was when I was talking to the foreman that I realised that the front brake pads and discs are the originals. That means that they have served an incredible 81000 miles!

Is this long brake life characteristic of I-shift? I know that the gearbox is good at downshifting during extended braking. So perhaps its attentiveness to road speed and car incline/decline means that its consistent downshifts help take load off of the braking system?