OVERVIEW: 1.6-litre i-DTEC HIGH PERFORMANCE, COMPACT DIESEL ENGINE ADDED TO CIVIC LINE-UP
- Compact turbo-diesel engine with capacity of 1.6-litres
- 88 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque
- CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km
- 4.1 l/100 km average consumption on combined test cycle
- First product of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology
Honda Motor Southern Africa is pleased to announce the addition of an all-new compact, turbo-charged diesel engine to its Civic hatch line-up. This finely tuned four-cylinder engine features ultra-low emissions, exceptional fuel economy and ample torque, which ensures superb performance.
Known as the 1.6-litre i-DTEC, the new engine is the lightest diesel engine in its class, weighing 47 kg less than Honda’s own 2.2-litre i-DTEC engine. Despite its relatively small capacity, the new engine packs surprising punch without compromising on fuel economy or emissions. Combining these key attributes is the main aim of Honda’s new Earth Dreams Technology.
TECHNOLOGY TO PRESERVE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Earth Dreams Technology is a new philosophy that is being embraced and implemented by Honda. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC is the first product to stem from this new engine design direction, the philosophy behind which all future Honda power plants will be applied to.
In essence, Earth Dreams Technology is a quest to balance environmental efficiency with the dynamic performance that customers expect of a Honda. By including a large number of detail improvements to Honda’s existing engine technology, the design team was able to bring about major improvements in terms of both performance and environmental impact.
Suehiro Hasshi, Large Project Leader for Civic 1.6-litre i-DTEC has explained that engineers opted to create a modern, earth-friendly version of the engine without sacrificing any of the driving dynamics in the process: “We wanted to create a fun-to-drive car with the correct balance of attributes. The whole development team worked together to give the engine an appropriate stage on which to perform.”
This holistic approach extends to aerodynamic and suspension revision, aimed at optimising driving experience of the new 1.6-litre-driven Civic. Subtle revisions to the exterior styling have further reduced aerodynamic drag and improved high-speed stability while the reduction of 47 kg on the front axle has further improved steering response and handling.
EUROPEAN DESIGN
The engine has been specifically designed for European market requirements of high performance, excellent fuel economy and low emissions, attributes important to the South African market as well. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC is exclusively built at Honda’s European manufacturing facility in Swindon, UK, on a new purpose-built diesel engine production line. This line is capable of producing up to 500 diesel engines per day, equating to one engine every 138 seconds (based on a two-shift pattern).
REDUCED MECHANICAL FRICTION
One of the key target areas for Honda’s development engineers was to reduce the mechanical friction of the new diesel engine to levels comparable to those of petrol engines. At 1,500rpm, the 1.6-litre i-DTEC has around 40% less mechanical friction than the 2.2-litre i-DTEC engine.
This lower friction not only helps to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency; it also improves the engine’s overall response, improving driveability and driving enjoyment.
VARIABLE NOZZLE TURBO
The turbo employed on the 1.6-litre i-DTEC is a fourth generation Garrett unit, which features variable-nozzle design. Furthermore, the turbo’s rotational speed is precisely controlled by the car’s electronic system, resulting in minimal turbo lag. With a maximum boost pressure of 1.5 bar, the turbo provides an optimal combination of low- to mid-range pull and high-speed performance.
EFFICIENT FUEL INJECTION
A Bosch solenoid injection system is used, which is capable of operating at pressures up to 1800 bar. Higher fuel pressure means that the fuel can be injected at a higher rate, resulting in finer atomization of the fuel spray, improving the fuel mix with the air, giving cleaner and more efficient combustion. This, in turn, results in lower emissions and exceptionally low fuel consumption.
In addition to the refinements to the injection system, Honda’s engineers have also worked to improve the volumetric efficiency of the cylinders. By employing a high intake flow and a high swirl head port, the combustion process is precisely controlled to reduce hot spots that create unwanted emissions.
NEW TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
An all-new lightweight transmission system has been developed for use with the 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine. This compact manual transmission system has six forward speeds. It is 7 kg lighter than the transmission offering on the 2.2-litre i-DTEC, and is efficient and smooth.
CIVIC, ONLY BETTER
The 1.6-litre i-DTEC will be introduced as an option on the existing Civic hatch model range, and will be available in the Executive grade. Standard features on the Executive Civic hatch include leather and heated seats, rain sensing wipers, auto headlights and reversing camera. With the exception of the power plant and small changes to the emergency brake lights and aerodynamic trim of the rear, the Civic range itself remains unchanged, and still offers the same levels of refinement and driver enjoyment as before. Thanks to the new engine, however, this enjoyment now comes with significantly lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
SPECIFICATIONS: 1.6-litre i-DTEC
| Displacement | 1,597cc |
| Compression Ratio | 16:1 |
| Max power | 88kW @ 4000rpm |
| Max torque | 300Nm @ 2000rpm |
| Fuel economy (EU combined) | 4.1 l/100km |
| CO2 emissions | 109 g/km |
PRICE
The 1.6 i-DTEC Executive with 6-speed manual transmission retails at R299, 900.00, including CO2 tax and VAT. The Civic range includes a five-year/90 000 km service plan, three-year/100 000 km warranty and one-year AA roadside assistance. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.
