Honda reveals next generation Civic engines (Europe)

[zerinVR6]

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has developed a new 1.8 i-VTEC engine to be introduced in the new Civic that achieves both more powerful performance and improved fuel economy. The engine employs an intelligent VTEC system that switches the valve timing for maximum efficiency during startup and acceleration to achieve powerful, torquey performance, then delays intake valve closure timing during cruising and other low-load conditions for improved fuel economy. Use of the valve timing control system results in off-the-line acceleration performance equivalent to a 2.0-litre engine, fuel economy better than the current 1.6-litre Civic engine, making it one of the world’s most efficient 1.8-litre engine designs. During cruising, the new engine achieves particularly high fuel economy, on a par with that of a 1.5-litre engine.

Under low-load conditions on conventional engine, the throttle valve is normally partly closed to control the intake volume of the fuel-air mixture. During this time, pumping losses are incurred due to intake resistance, and this is one factor that leads to reduced engine efficiency. With the i-VTEC engine, however, intake valve closure timing is delayed to control the intake volume of the air-fuel mixture, allowing the throttle valve to remain wide open even under low-load conditions for a major reduction in pumping losses of up to 16%. Combined with comprehensive friction-reducing measures, this results in a significant increase in fuel efficiency for the engine itself.

A DBW (Drive By Wire) system provides high-precision control over the throttle valve while the valve timing is being changed over, ensuring smooth driving performance that leaves the driver unaware of any torque fluctuations. Other innovations include a variable-length intake manifold that delivers optimum inertia effect to further improve intake efficiency and piston oil jets that cool the pistons to suppress engine knocking, for powerful torque at rpm ranges typical in normal driving. The new engine delivers a high level of performance, with maximum output of 103 kW (140 PS) and maximum torque of 174 Nm (17.7 kgm). It also delivers cleaner emission performance, employing a 2-bed catalytic converter positioned immediately after the manifold and high-precision air-fuel ratio control to achieve low emission levels.

In addition, lower block construction resulting in a more rigid engine frame, aluminium rocker arms, high-strength cracked connecting rods, a narrow, silent cam chain, and other innovations make the engine more compact and lightweight.

The Civic has a tradition of featuring new technologies. In 1974, the world saw the introduction of the CVCC engine — a revolutionary powertrain incorporating a revolutionary technology of drastically reducing emissions without the use of a catalytic converter. The original VTEC technology that variably controlled engine valve timing, to achieve both high fuel efficiency and high output, was introduced into the Civic model in 1989.

With the application of the 1.8 i-VTEC engine into the new Civic, Honda keeps up the tradition of introducing advanced technology into cars of affordable price segments, contrary to the general trend in the industry to adopt a “top-down” approach.

Specifications for the 1.8 i-VTEC engine

Engine type and number of cylinders



Water-cooled in-line 4-cylinder



Displacement ( cc )



1,798



Bore x Stroke (mm)



81 x 87.3



Max. Output (kW [PS]/rpm)



103 [140]/6 ,300



Max. Torque (Nm [kgm]/rpm)



174 [17.7]/4 ,300



Compression Ratio



10.5







2) New Honda Hybrid System

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that it has developed a New Honda Hybrid System, which features a 3-stage i-VTEC engine that employs Honda’s intelligent VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system to provide three stages of valve timing (low-rpm, high-rpm, and cylinder idle mode), combined with Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system that has been made significantly more compact and efficient. The New Honda Hybrid System will be introduced in the all-new Civic Hybrid, to be launched in 2006.

The New Honda Hybrid System employs intelligent engine functions and a more efficient IMA system to achieve an approximate 20% increase in system output over the current system, giving a powerful performance of a 1.8-litre engine while improving fuel economy, reducing the system size by 5% and attainting a world-leading level of emissions performance. The system offers significantly improved performance and fuel economy over the current system.

The 3-stage i-VTEC engine employs three hydraulic pathways to couple and uncouple five rocker arm assemblies, providing three stages of valve control depending on the driving conditions to achieve a combination of responsive driving and fuel economy. During deceleration when the cylinders are idle, combustion in all four cylinders is halted and the cylinders sealed shut, reducing pumping losses caused by engine aspiration for a 10% improvement in recovery of braking energy compared to the current Civic IMA. Virtually everything possible has been done to reduce friction as well, including the use of aluminum die-cast pistons, which feature low thermal expansion for less friction under high-temperature conditions, ion-plated piston rings, and plateau honing of the cylinder walls for a smoother surface.

Honda’s independently developed electric motor employs coils with high-density windings and high-performance magnets to attain output 1.5 times that of the current model while maintaining the same size. The inverter used to control motor speed—also independently developed and manufactured by Honda—is integrated with the motor’s ECU for more precise digital control, contributing to even greater motor efficiency and fuel economy. Battery output has been increased by around 30% over the current model, while a more compact, custom designed battery storage box offers increased cooling performance and vibration resistance for improved long-term reliability.

Also, a dynamic regenerative braking system is employed that hydraulically controls the brakes based on the amount of brake regeneration. This permits maximum braking regeneration along with smooth deceleration that conforms to brake-pedal pressure. The air conditioner features a hybrid compressor that is powered by both the engine and the motor. When the engine is in Idle Stop mode the compressor is powered by the motor; if rapid cooling is required it is powered by the engine and motor combined. When the temperature is stable it runs off the motor alone, for both improved comfort and fuel savings.

● New Honda Hybrid System Modes of Operation

- Vehicle stationary
The engine is turned off and fuel consumption is zero.

- Startup and acceleration
The engine operates in low-speed valve timing mode, with motor assist.

- Rapid acceleration
The engine operates in high-speed valve timing mode, with motor assist.

- Low-speed cruising
The valves of all four of the engine’s cylinders are closed and combustion halted. The motor alone powers the vehicle.

- Gentle acceleration and high-speed cruising
The engine operating in low-speed valve timing mode powers the vehicle.

- Deceleration
The valves of all four of the engine’s cylinders are closed and combustion halted. The motor recovers the maximum amount of energy released during deceleration and stores it in the battery.

● Specifications for the New Honda Hybrid System

Power source





Engine





Engine type and

Number of cylinders

Water-cooled in-line 4-cylinder



Displacement ( cc )



1,339



Bore x stroke (mm)



73.0 x 80.0



Electric motor



Electric motor type



AC synchronous drive (Ultra-thin DC brushless motor)



Rated voltage (V)



158



Performance









Engine





Max. output


(kW [PS] / rpm)


70 [95] / 6,000



Max. torque


(Nm [ kgm] / rpm)


123 [12.5] / 4,500



Electric motor



Max. output


(kW [PS] / rpm)


15 [20] / 2,000



Max. torque


(Nm [ kgm] / rpm)


103 [10.5] / 0~1,160



Total


System




Max. output


(kW [PS])


70 + 15 [95 + 20]



Max. torque


(Nm [ kgm])


167 [17.0]





*All values according to Honda in-house calculations

[-asimo-]

[yourmom25]

that's a great read.

[Mook]

makes me want a new civic

[Mazda6]

thanks

[Broaden]

Nice.

[DA_LsVtAk]

yummmmmmm

[KeiichiLe]

i read something about that a while back. Think it had like a 60:1 A/F ratio.

[An and Off]

my friend reserved one last week....friend got 100 bucks from john eagle honda for persuading him

and damn keiichi get some sleep!

[SecretAgent]

why would anyone reserve a civic?? they only make a few hundred thousand a year, it's not like there's a shortage. unless of course, you'd want to be able to say you were the first person with a new civic, but when did that become bragging rights?


the drive-by-wire system will be...interesting.

[LS TEG]

Powerd by Honda

[RShih]

Interesting...

[sherpag00dness]

dear god....timing chains finally