Although hybrids have gotten much of the media attention recently, Japanese manufacturers have been constantly refining their conventional engines. Here are some worthy of note. The R18A 1.8-L i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine is Honda's global inline four, first introduced in the new Civic range, Intelligent VTEC technology is employed in the engine to vary intake charge volume, Unique to the 1.8 i-VTEC engine is that the FE (fuel economy) cam, engaged during low-load operations as steady cruise between engine speeds of 1000 and 3500 rpm, delays the intake valve closing timing by 63° (94° ABDC) vs. the HO (high output) cam (31° ABDC), In FE mode, the engine operates in the adaptive Atkinson cycle, taking full advantage of the superior fuel economy by greatly reducing pumping losses.
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