Tokyo, May 18, 2001 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that the 1.3-liter, 4- cylinder i-DSI^*1 - the latest in Honda's new generation of i-series engines - is a lightweight, compact, high-performance engine with plenty of horsepower and ample torque at any rpm that uses intensive combustion to achieve a combination of ultra-high fuel efficiency and clean emissions. The i-DSI will be installed in a new small car, scheduled to be unveiled in June 2001.

The engine is equipped with two spark plugs in each of its newly designed, compact combustion chambers. These sparks are activated in a different order depending upon engine rpm and load, resulting in intelligent, dual-point sequential ignition control to achieve intensive fuel combustion at any rpm.

Two spark plugs per cylinder are arranged diagonally to accelerate flame propagation in the combustion chamber, thus achieving rapid combustion of the air-fuel mixture and obtaining high output from a minimum amount of gasoline. This intensive combustion at any rpm not only controls knocking, but also permits a much higher compression ratio, achieving a maximum output of 63kW (86PS) at 5700 rpm^*2, and maximum torque of 119Nm (12.1kg-m) at 2800 rpm^*2. The engine is paired with Honda's newly-developed, lightweight, compact Multimatic S continuously-variable-speed transmission, which minimizes engine power loss to achieve ultra-high fuel efficiency of 23km/L^*2 --- world class top level for a gasoline powered production vehicle, and compliant with 2010 fuel efficiency standards. Furthermore, harmful exhaust emissions have also been greatly reduced: the i-DSI engine's clean performance is recognized by the National Ministry of Transportation's "Low Emissions Excellence" certification.

The engine has also been made 8% lighter and more compact than Honda's previous 1.3- liter engines. This was achieved by reducing the valve angles to create a smaller combustion chamber, and by incorporating a more compact air cleaner, a serpentine auxiliary drive system, a plastic intake manifold, a stainless-steel exhaust pipe, and other innovations.

The lightweight, compact, high-performance i-DSI engine in tandem with a newly developed Honda Multimatic S transmission creates a new breed of small car that achieves ultra-high fuel efficiency and clean emissions coupled with superior performance. In addition, the smaller engine room makes for a roomier passenger compartment.