Honda: Improved Efficiency with Spiral Exhaust

Honda: New Tailpipe Design Ups Efficiency

In the eternal objective of achieving effectiveness, Honda has put forward spiral exhaust valves that resemble springy pigtails on upcoming motor vehicles. Strange as this might seem, there does exist some benefit to a licensing taken out with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) which CarBuzz uncovered.

Released on March 30th, 2023, Honda suggested the design of the tailpipe which comes out of the muffler at the back of the car. The said muffler has been shifted from the normal central place under the body to the side, creating a peculiar visual look on the patent illustration. Honda’s motive is simple – to reduce the overall weight of their products ranging from the Civic to their pair pickup truck, the Ridgeline.

Long exhausts are quite typical. The exhaust is a crucial aspect of a vehicle’s powertrain, and its breadth, length, and even form can affect how much torque a car has and how efficient it is. Many times, a longer pipe – with the correct width for optimal air flow, for example – can augment gas mileage. Generally, the concluding size of an exhaust pipe farthest from the muffler is quite lengthy, usually situated at the centre.

Honda’s current concept is to position the muffler in a more peripheral spot underneath the automobile. As a result, they intend to omit the requirement of splash shields necessitated by the exhaust and instead let the muffler serve jointly as an inherent part of the exhaust system and a protective barrier for the tailpipe from water coming in from the back wheels. This would forestall the possibility of the piping becoming fragile due to hot temperature contrasting with cold water.

Traditionally, an automaker would simply install a splash guard over the section of exhaust at risk. However, Honda believes that such a shield is too heavy and that “in order to suppress natural disasters,” it is necessary to reduce both the cost and weight of the shield. The company has proposed an alternative solution that involves coating the exposed area with a special material that is both lightweight and corrosion resistant. This material is designed to protect the exhaust system from water and other elements while still allowing air to flow freely. Additionally, Honda claims that this solution is more cost-effective than installing a traditional splash guard.

It could be argued that Honda may be acting a bit excessively, yet lightness has been one of the most straightforward ways to maximize efficiency for quite some time. In fact, certain lightweight auto makers, for instance Donkervoort, further declaim that producing lightweight gasoline-driven cars is more effective than constructing heavy electric vehicles.

Honda is certainly investing in electric vehicles, with two upcoming unveilings. Nonetheless, if the manufacturer manages to achieve significant gains in terms of weight and efficiency through the implementation of aerodynamic designs, it could allow traditional combustion engines to remain around that much longer.