Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC: 11.11.12, Tochigi, Japan Honda's family hatchback gets a high-tech, downsized diesel engine

摘要

WORK ON HONDA'S long-awaited 1.6-litre diesel started around five years ago. The project has been a big investment for the company, because it will sell primarily in Europe (although a lower-power version may also be sent to India), where Honda's sales have collapsed to just 170,000 units per year. Honda says the engine is the lightest in class and has internal friction levels comparable with the best petrol engine. It is built around a new aluminium block and its crankshaft is radically smaller and lighter (by 36 per cent) than that in Honda's current 2.2-litre diesel. The super-light pistons are also intended to make the engine quicker and smoother revving.