Honda Develops All-new General Purpose Engines for Emerging Markets -Equipped on Water Pump and Other Honda Power Products-

August 6, 2013, China

News Release

CHONGQING, China, August 6, 2013 - Honda announced today that it has newly developed two models of GP 4-stroke general purpose engines targeting the low-priced light-duty engine markets, which hold a large share in emerging countries. Honda will start production of the new engines, the GP160H and GP200H*1, at Jialing-Honda Motors Co., Ltd.*2 (Chongqing, China; President: Masato Saito), Honda's production and sales base for power products in China. Honda will also launch a water pump equipped with these new engines this autumn in China and other emerging countries, centering on Asia. Jialing-Honda Motors also announced today the release of a water pump equipped with the GP engine at the ceremony to commemorate its 20th anniversary and the cumulative production of 5 million power product units.

Honda's general purpose engines feature outstanding reliability, excellent quality, and a compact design that ensures compatibility with a wide range of installations. While inheriting these characteristics, the GP engines were developed for installation on products such as water pumps and generators used especially in emerging countries, where these products are commonly used for relatively short continuous operating times with light workloads. By equipping the GP engines on water pumps, which enjoy high demand as indispensable agricultural equipment in these countries, Honda aims to increase sales in the inexpensive, light-duty products markets in the emerging countries, an area dominated by Chinese manufacturers.

These GP series engines are the first general purpose engines developed by Honda specifically for emerging countries. With this launch, Honda aims to further increase sales of light-duty engines, which account for the bulk of 4-stroke general purpose gasoline engine sales in emerging markets (approximately 9.7 million units*3), thereby "helping people get things done," a vision of its power products business ever since its founding.

Honda's general-purpose engine lineup includes the following: medium- to large-sized GX series engines, endorsed in a wide range of industries as world-standard power units for professional use on small construction equipment and agricultural machinery; the Mini 4-stroke series engines for hand-held equipment such as trimmers; and the GC series engines for home use mainly in Europe and North America.

  • *1GP160H (displacement: 163 cm3; maximum power: 3.6 kW); GP200H (displacement: 196 cm3, maximum power: 4.1 kW)
  • *2Production items include general purpose engines, water pumps, lawnmowers and tillers.
  • *3Based on a Honda 2011 survey
GP160H

GP160H

WL30XH water pump

WL30XH water pump

Unit sales target
(Annual total for China sales and exports, including engines installed on final products)

200,000 units

Key features of GP engines

[Specifications suitable for light-duty use]

Fits optimal use conditions for the water pumps and generators in emerging countries (Light load output: below rated load; Operating temperature: -5 to 40°C)

[Environmental performance]

Complies with emission regulations in China

[Styling design]

A black plastic recoil cover with a white fuel tank and fan cover brings out the character of a light-duty engine

Specifications of the New Honda GP Engines

Engine GP160H GP200H
Engine type Air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder gasoline engine (OHV)
Number of cylinders / bore×stroke (mm) 1/68.0×45.0 1/68.0×54.0
Displacement (cm3) 163 196
Compression ratio 8.5:1 8.5:1
Maximum power (kW/rpm)* 3.6/3,600 4.1/3,600
Maximum torque (N・m/rpm)* 10.3/2,500 12.4/2,500
Continuous rated output (kW/rpm) 2.9/3,600 3.7/3,600
Fuel consumption (L/h)
(at continuous rated output)
1.4 1.7
Fuel Unleaded gasoline for automobiles
Fuel tank capacity (L) 3.1
Ignition system Transistor magneto
Governor system Mechanical
Air cleaner Semi-dry, dual element
Lubrication system Forced spray
Oil capacity (L) 0.58 0.6
Overall length (mm) 306 315
Overall width (mm) 363 378
Overall height (mm) 335 335
Dry weight (kg) 15.0 16.0
Starting system Recoil starter
  • *The power ratings of the engines indicated in the table are the net power output tested on a production engine model and measured in accordance with SAE J1349 at 3,600 rpm (maximum output) and 2,500 rpm (maximum torque). Mass production engines may vary from these values. Actual power output for the engine installed in the final product will vary depending on numerous factors including the engine speed in application, environmental conditions, maintenance and other variables.
Honda's power products business will celebrate its 60th anniversary in October 2013.

Honda's power products business will celebrate its 60th anniversary in October 2013.