Another technical advance in the 1.8 i-VTEC is the employment of piston oil jets, more normally associated with high performance engines. As a result, superior cooling ensures improved durability against knocking, allowing the engine to run with a high compression ratio of 10.5:1.

These technical innovations combine to achieve class leading performance that's on a par with a 2.0-litre engine: maximum output is 140PS at 6,300rpm and maximum torque is 174Nm (128lb.ft) at 4,300rpm. Acceleration times are also impressive: the 1.8-engined Civic sprints from 0 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds while recording a fuel consumption figure as low as 44.1mpg (combined). That's fuel economy unlike any figures attained by the other similar-sized engines in the market. And the i-VTEC not only leaves the direct 1.8 rivals at a great distance but also embarrasses some of the best competitors fitted with 1.6 engines, even those equipped with direct injection fuel systems.

The new engine also offers cleaner emissions performance. The new i-VTEC engine employs an airflow meter and a linear airflow sensor, together with the latest control technology, achieving extremely precise control over the air/fuel ratio and contributing to cleaner exhaust emissions. Also a newly developed integrated cylinder head and exhaust manifold are employed with two catalytic converters positioned immediately after the manifold. Furthermore, the introduction of high temperature combustion gasses into the catalytic converter raises its temperature rapidly helping to optimize performance soon after the engine is started.

It is also lighter and more compact thanks to an all aluminium lower block and plastic used in the head cover, chain guard and chain tensioner arm. Aluminium rocker arms and high strength cracked connecting rods provide a significant reduction in the inertial mass of moving parts.

The integration of the cylinder head with the exhaust manifold both saves space and generates an important weight reduction (0.58kg). The combined assembly of the manual transmission bracket, the chain cover and the oil pump further reduce the engine's weight (0.3 kilos) and size (15mm), besides diminishing the parts number.

Overall the engine is both lighter (5kg) and shorter (13mm) than a conventional 1.7-litre engine.


2.2i-CTDi

The acclaimed 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel engine features in a Civic for the first time and instantly becomes the new benchmark in the segment, with outstanding performance, low consumption and environmental protection. The Swindon-built unit is the first to take less than nine seconds to reach 62mph from a standing start. In fact it takes just 8.6 seconds to sprint to the magic mark.

The first in-house developed diesel engine in Honda's history, the 2204cc i-CTDi engine's advanced design and all-aluminium construction delivers 140PS at 4,000rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm (251lb.ft) at just 2,000rpm. It's a transversely-mounted, 4-cylinder unit, with DOHC, four valves per cylinder, balancer shaft, second generation common rail direct injection, and variable nozzle turbocharger with intercooler. The strength-in-depth quality of the engine is rounded off by impressive figures in the combined cycle of 55.4mpg.

In the engine bay itself, intake and exhaust systems have been modified in order to accommodate the engine under the Civic's relatively-low bonnet. The grille-less design was a technological challenge; usually the intercooler is placed between the bumper and the radiator, but in this case it was positioned within the wing. The EGR cooler is also deleted to free-up space, but the reduced EGR is compensated by the lower weight and better aerodynamics of the Civic.

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