Honda's new 1.6L i-DTEC diesel engine is the latest addition to Honda's Earth Dreams Technology engine line-up. It's rated at 120 hp and 300 Nm of torque, which is only 30 hp and 50 Nm less than the current 2.2L diesel powerplant. Said to achieve as much as 27.8 km/L, it's also 16.8% more efficient than the larger diesel unit.
Believe it or not, it weighs 47kg less than the current 2.2 liter i-DTEC engine available in the current Euro Civic. It's constructed with an aluminum cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminum block. Other weight savings are achieved through lighter pistons, connection rods, and thinner cylinder walls. With all of the redesigned components and advanced production techniques, Honda claims that it's now the lightest engine in its class.
The 1.6L i-DTEC engine utilizes a clever Garrett turbocharger that features variable-nozzle technology. This minimizes turbo lag and delivers an optimal combination of low to mid range performance. There's also a Bosch solenoid injection system somewhere in there capable of operating at high pressure. Such a system improves fuel mixing, which results in a cleaner and more efficient combustion.
Honda's engineers also strived to increase the engine's efficiency by reducing mechanical friction. This 1.6L diesel engine has around 40% less mechanical friction than the 2.2L version and now responds like petrol powerplant. Good job, Honda!
Honda never fails to develop engines that deliver both performance and fuel efficiency, and this new 1.6L i-DTEC engine is yet another testament to add to the long list. Let’s just hope that the time will come when Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) decides to make their cars locally available with diesel engines.
