Why Honda Vehicles Inspire Confidence on Snowy Roads. Honda’s all-wheel-drive technology and R&D facilities
Honda has spent many years developing its all-wheel-drive technologies, to ensure confident and stable driving in harsh winter conditions.
This feature explores how Honda’s Real Time AWD system works to provide reassurance on slippery surfaces such as snow-covered roads, along with an overview of the company’s research and development facilities and the environmental testing carried out under severe conditions.
The Evolution of Honda AWD: Confidence and Comfort
Honda has continued to refine its all-wheel-drive technology to help deliver confident, comfortable driving in winter conditions. Explore how Real Time AWD distributes driving force between the front and rear wheels, and how Honda’s R&D and environmental testing support that development.
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Honda TechnologyAll-Wheel Drive System Real Time AWDAutomobilesHonda AWD (All-Wheel Drive) optimizes distribution of driving force to all four wheels to offer more secure and enjoyable driving than standard two-wheel drive. First introduced in February 2018, the latest version of Real Time AWD takes four-wheel drive to the next level. Predicting from the driving conditions, the system precisely optimizes the distribution of front and rear driving force...
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Honda TechnologyNext-Generation Electric AWDAutomobilesHonda’s e:HEV original two-motor hybrid system realizes elevated levels of both environmental and driving performance, reflecting a commitment to motor and engine efficiency. The system continues to evolve as a core technology in the electrification of Honda vehicles. The next generation of e:HEV systems will further enhance environmental performance and the sophisticated and ...
Honda's Test Course: Refining Running, Turning, and Stopping
On a test course that recreates a wide variety of road surfaces from around the world, Honda rigorously evaluates vehicles for confident, comfortable driving. Explore Honda’s vehicle development site, where every detail is refined so the vehicle responds naturally to the driver’s intentions.
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Honda TechnologyTakasu Proving Ground: The Road Refines the ProductAutomobilesIn 1990, Honda opened its Takasu Proving Ground in the town of Takasu (Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido). Located to the north of Asahikawa City, Takasu receives a lot of snowfall, even by Hokkaido standards. In winter, the cold is extreme, sometimes dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius. Snow falls from November to April, almost half the year. Takasu was chosen as the site for a ...
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Honda TechnologyTochigi Proving Ground: The Road Decides the ProductAutomobilesA proving ground is a testing facility where vehicles under development are put through extensive tests to fine-tune the technologies and the vehicles themselves prior to mass production. The actual vehicles are driven within faithfully recreated real-world environments and tested under harsh conditions to check basic running, turning and stopping performance. Results ...
Honda’s Environmental Testing Facilities: Fine-Tuning Quality in Extreme Conditions
Honda recreates extreme cold, intense heat, and high-altitude environments to thoroughly test how vehicles are affected. Explore the development site where quality is refined to deliver confident, comfortable cars for any road and any climate.
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Honda TechnologyEnvironmental Testing Facilities (1): Fine-Tuning Honda Products in Extreme EnvironmentsAutomobilesHonda vehicles are driven in various regions all over the world. In some places, the temperature drops below minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter. Some areas reach altitudes above 3,000 meters. On-location field testing to confirm that vehicles perform as intended is essential for ensuring that Honda users can feel reassured about driving in such harsh environments. However, it t
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Honda TechnologyEnvironmental Testing Facilities (2): Fine-Tuning Honda Products in Extreme EnvironmentsAutomobilesHonda vehicles are driven even in extremely cold climates and regions where the heat can be intense. To enable users to drive safely and with peace of mind in such places, Honda needs to make sure its vehicles will perform. Recreating the conditions of harsh usage environments in its test facilities, Honda carries out tests to determine whether electric vehicle batteries perfor
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Honda StoriesAccord 50th Anniversary: Evolving with People and the TimesCelebrating the 50th anniversary of the Accord. Discover the philosophy behind its development and the journey of a vehicle that has continued to evolve with people and the times.
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Honda StoriesA FUN EV, True to Honda. The development story of Super-ONE, boosting everyday lifeHonda will launch its third light and compact EV, the Super-ONE, in Japan in May 2026. Building on the experience gained through the development of previous light EVs and the practicality refined along the way, this model takes a deliberate step forward by embracing FUN — the joy of driving. It represents a new challenge: to deliver a sense of excitement behind the wheel in an EV...
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Honda Design“Joy of Driving” into the Future Pride and Spirit of Honda Designers Embodied in the PRELUDEThe PRELUDE, once a sensation as a date car, brought the joy of driving and created exciting moments with partners. Since its debut in 1978, it has captivated countless people and is now making a comeback after about 25 years with electrification technology. Honda’s leading designers have poured their passion into this electric specialty sports model, aiming to embody the next