Abstract

Honda has developed a lightweight and compact next-generation 1.8L i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine that offers a superb balance of power and environmental performance (high fuel economy and low emissions). The i-VTEC system in the new engine provides high power when the vehicle is accelerating by operating the valves with a cam that produces maximum power. When the engine is operating under a low load, e.g. when cruising, the system switches to a cam with delayed valve closure timing and simultaneously opens the electronically-controlled throttle in order to reduce pumping losses and increase fuel economy. The 2006 CIVIC in which the new engine is fitted has achieved a high level of fuel economy, obtaining 17.0 km/l in Japanese 10-15 mode, a 5% increase over the level required by Japanese 2010 fuel economy standards. The use of a variable-length intake manifold has balanced low- to medium-speed torque with high power. The integration of the cylinder head with the exhaust manifold and the employment of a high-density close-coupled two-bed catalyst and high-accuracy adaptive air-fuel control has enabled the achievement of an emissions level 75% below the level required by Japanese 2005 regulations. In addition, noise and vibration have been reduced by employing a lower block structure that increases the rigidity of the crankshaft support structure.

References

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Author (organization or company)

• Kazuyuki SEKO（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Wataru TAGA（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Kenji TORII（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Satoshi NAKAMURA（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Kazuhiro AKIMA（Honda R&D (Ohio)）
• Noritaka SEKIYA（Tochigi R&D Center）

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.18 No.1 (8 - 15)

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Citation Information