LAST year, Honda revitalised its diesel engine line-up with a new, smooth, economical and highly tax efficient 1.6, and before that there was the big push into hybrid drivetrains.
The VTEC Turbo range comprises a one-litre three-cylinder and a 1.5-four, set to power mainstream Hondas, including the next Jazz
Now the company has announced a complete revamp of its petrol engine range featuring a family of direct-injection turbocharged power units with capacities between 1.0 and 2.0 litres.
Honda, a world leader in engine design and manufacture, has traditionally avoided turbocharged petrol engines, but now it’s going for them in a big way in the interests of downsizing and efficiency. The new Honda engines will still use the company’s VTEC variable valvegear technology, however.
At the lower end, the VTEC Turbo range comprises a one-litre three-cylinder and a 1.5-four, and these seem set to power mainstream Hondas, including the next Jazz.
At the top end, there’s a 2.0-litre four pumping out 280PS, and this will be the first of the new engine family to be seen in Europe in the next-generation Civic Type R, which is expected to arrive in 2015.
The Type R is already undergoing testing at Honda’s Tochigi test track in Japan, and despite its strong performance, the company is saying it will meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards.
We think the new 1.6 Honda diesel is a superb engine for a business car. Read our review of the 1.6 diesel Honda Civic for more.