Honda has confirmed its seriousness towards diesel-engined vehicles by announcing the introduction of a new, smaller 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine for Europe, as part of its Earth Dreams Technology series.
The company claims that engines in this series balance environmental efficiency with dynamic performance and driving pleasure. The new engine uses aluminium for its cylinder head and engine block, which makes it the lightest in its class. Additionally, the use of a 8mm-thick cylinder wall and lighter pistons and connecting rods makes for a weight cut of 47 kg compared to the 2.2 litre i-DTEC diesel engine powering the current Civic and Accord in Europe.
The new engine uses a fourth-generation variable-nozzle Garret turbocharger that helps it to a peak power output of 120 PS at 4,000 RPM and peak torque of 300 Nm at 2,000 RPM. The engine is also claimed to offer very low emissions, at 94 g/km.
Honda plans to incorporate its Earth Dreams Technology philosophy into all its future powertrains. The 2013 Civic for Europe will be the first vehicle to be powered by this engine, with the CR-V to follow suit later in the year. In India, the first engine in this series will be a 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine that will power the Brio and the upcoming Amaze, and later in the year the Jazz and City (with different power outputs).
