Low emission diesel engine is 'lightest in its class'

Claimed to be the lightest in its class, the 1.6litre i-DTEC is the first engine from Honda's Earth Dreams Technology series to be launched in Europe. A new purpose built diesel engine production line has been installed at the company's UK plant in Swindon to ensure it makes its debut in the new Honda Civic at the beginning of 2013. "Developing this engine has been all about smart, pure engineering," said the company's Suehiro Hasshi. "Our motivation has been to make many small detail improvements that, together, make a major difference." Weighing in at less than 47kg, the i-DTEC is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminium block. The thickness of the cylinder walls has been reduced to 8mm compared to the 9mm of the previous model. Ultra light pistons and connection rods have also been utilised. According to Honda, the key target for the development engineers was to reduce the mechanical friction of the diesel engine to the level equivalent of a petrol engine. "All the rotating parts have been carefully optimised to reduce their friction," noted project leader Tetsuya Miyake. "For example, a shorter and thinner piston skirt has been used. At 1500rpm, the 1.6litre i-DTEC has around 40% less mechanical friction than the previous 2.2litre i-DTEC." According to Miyake, this not only reduces emissions and improves fuel efficiency; it also improves the engine's response, both on and off the throttle, making the car more 'fun' to drive. "We have reduced the mechanical friction of the engine to the level equivalent of an existing petrol engine, which is an outstanding achievement," he concluded.