Honda announced the 1.6-liter iDTEC diesel engine for the Civic just yesterday and now the company has divulged details on the diesel engines which will power smaller Honda cars in many markets. The Japanese automaker is developing an all new 1.4-liter iDTEC diesel engine which would debut in India in 2013. This compact diesel will power the Jazz, Brio and City and is being developed by ex-F1 engineers. With diesel being the fuel of choice in India, the arrival of the 1.4-liter iDTEC powerplant will play a vital role in increasing Honda’s market share in the country.
Honda underestimated the growing demand of diesel-powered cars and was too late to react. However the company now plans to go all out on a diesel attack with the launch of diesel-powered Brio, Jazz, City, Civic, Accord and CR-V. The 1.4-liter diesel motor which is being developed specially for India should produce around 90 HP of power and 200 Nm of torque. It will be highly fuel efficient and will help Honda qualify the Brio and Jazz as small cars, leading to lesser excise duties and a more aggressive price. We believe that diesel-powered Honda’s could really be the power of dreams for many in India. Expect the diesel-powered cars to cost Rs. 80,000/- more than their petrol counterparts.
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