Honda has unveiled its next generation of highly fuel efficient and environment friendly range of engines, known as Earth Dreams at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The Japanese automaker has incorporated idle stop feature in the 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine which powers the Honda Jazz in the European markets. But the main show stopper is the 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, which is the next generation of small diesel engines for Honda cars. Honda is betting big on their Earth Dreams Technology will help them become the leader in fuel efficiency in every category of cars they use this engine in, within the next three years.
The 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine is the first drive train from the Earth Dreams Technology engine series and will see its European debut in the later half of 2012. Powering the Honda Civic, this 1596 cc, oil burner produces 120 PS of peak power at 4000 RPM and 300 Nm of peak torque at 2000 RPM. Being the lightest engine in its class, the hardware includes a compact turbocharger to ensure good performance and high fuel efficiency. This i-DTEC unit will be manufactured at Honda’s UK manufacturing plant and produces only 95 g of CO2 for every km.
Honda plans to bring this diesel engine in the Civic to India in 2013. The company might de-tune it slightly but will ensure that the Honda Civic diesel offers excellent fuel efficiency. The arrival of the diesel Civic will come in the next generation model, which is expected to be launched early next year. Expect a price of around Rs. 14 lakhs for the diesel-powered Civic, which will compete against strong competition from the Skoda Laura and Chevrolet Cruze. The same diesel engine could also find its way into the hood of the City, but Honda is also developing a 1.4-litre diesel engine for use in the Brio, Jazz and City, for a market launch by mid-2013. The arrival of diesel engines in Honda cars will give the company a much needed boost as consumer preference shift towards diesel engined cars in India. Diesel fuel being cheaper and diesel powered cars being more powerful are the real reasons for the shift towards diesel.
