Other items unique to the Civic i-CTDi include the frame, con rods, a new ancillary belt arrangement (to accommodate the EPS), oil pan (to receive the oil level sensor), while the oil filter and chain case are smaller to provide more under bonnet room for pedestrian protection.

Producing a class-leading diesel engine has been as much about materials science and production technology as it has about engine architecture. Employing a series of advanced technologies and crucial attention to detail, both in terms of construction and operation, has delivered an engine that is light in weight, compact, yet immensely strong, and delivers optimum combustion characteristics.

Prime targets during development were class-leading fuel efficiency, driving performance, NV characteristics and compliance with the Euro IV emission regulations, while the engine also needed to be light in weight and compact. The resultant 2204cc capacity diesel engine has a compression ratio of 16.7, employs an aluminium cylinder block and DOHC 16-valve head structure as a basic framework and through a number of Honda-unique manufacturing technologies, delivers outstanding characteristics across all areas.

Core intelligent combustion technologies include optimum use of the combustion chamber, a continuously variable swirl control valve, a common rail system, variable nozzle turbocharger and an electrically operated EGR valve. Achieving exceptional refinement, NV reduction technologies include offset cylinders, a second order balancer shaft and an acoustic engine cover, while friction is minimised through technologies such as roller follower rocker arms. Close-coupled and under-floor catalytic converters contribute to a significantly low emissions performance.

The common rail injection system, providing pressures up to 1,600 bar, allows close regulation of injection pressure and timing to give optimum performance across all driving conditions. A small amount of fuel introduced prior to the main injection - the pilot injection - helps lower combustion noise.

This common rail system closely interacts with the variable nozzle turbocharger to ensure optimum control over intake pressure, facilitating higher intake pressures at a lower speed, as well as better fuel economy and fewer harmful emissions through lean burn combustion.

Given the low CO2 figure of 135g/km, the i-CTDi Civic should be at the top of company car buyers' lists - it falls comfortably within the European emissions regulations and therefore could mean savings for many fleet car drivers.


1.4-litre engine

The SOHC i-DSI (Dual and Sequential Ignition) engine offered in the Civic pursues the ultimate level of fuel efficiency and compactness.

Low emissions and outstanding frugality are achieved by providing each cylinder with a pair of spark plugs mounted diagonally opposite one another within a compact, high-swirl design, combustion chamber. This arrangement accelerates flame propagation to achieve intensive, extremely rapid and highly efficient combustion which generates high pressure and thus high output.

The dual and sequential ignition system optimises the timing of each spark plug based on engine speed and engine load. The intensive combustion at all engine speeds not only controls knocking, but also permits a much higher compression ratio - 10.8:1 - to achieve a higher output with less fuel consumed compared to a conventional design.

previous page | go to page 10