While Honda’s plan of putting the Neowing into production has been an open secret, it has now been revealed that the trike will use forced induction for its powertrain.
First showcased at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the Honda Neowing is based on the Gold Wing’s platform. Unlike conventional trikes, the Neowing employs a smart suspension setup which allows it to lean into the corners. With the Neowing, Honda aims to offer the sporty feel of a motorcycle with the stability of a four-wheeler.
While the company had withheld details about the powertrain back then, patent filings leaked in the US reveal that the Neowing will get a supercharged engine. Powering the Neowing is the same six-cylinder engine from the Goldwing. The air intakes for the engine are routed from the nose of the Neowing, while the supercharger is concealed below the petrol tank.
The production version of the Honda Neowing is expected to be ready by mid-2018. However, this might not be the first Honda to feature a supercharger. Previous patent filings by Honda have revealed that the company is also developing a supercharged powertrain for a middleweight supersports model.