Filed under: Japan, Tech, Honda
Honda reveals the Advanced VTEC engine
Honda's engineers have been busily figuring out how to make their VTEC engine better, and today the auto giant released the first details about the next-generation powerplant, which they're calling Advanced VTEC. Honda says it plans to have the new engine in a production car within the next three years.
Torquier at all speeds, the engine also sets the valves for low lift and early closure at lower load levels, which boosts fuel economy to the tune of 13% over the current 2.4L i-VTEC when the engine is equipped with the proper intake bits. In addition to being punchier and more economical, the engine is cleaner-burning as well, garnering a LEV2-ULEV emissions rating.
This is good news. While research and implementation of the various alternative fuel and propulsion solutions is most welcome, there's a lot to be said for the regular, economical four-cylinder gasoline engine. If Honda is on the verge of producing a four with power, more torque (hooray!), better fuel economy and cleaner emissions, the Advanced VTEC is going to be a highly attractive alternative to the alternatives.
(Additional photos, press release after the jump)
[Source: Honda]
Honda Advanced VTEC Research Vehicle:
PRESS RELEASE:
Honda Develops Advanced VTEC Engine Combining High Power and Environmental Performance
September 25, 2006–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has further advanced its VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control System) technology with the development of the Advanced VTEC engine, which achieves high performance along with outstanding fuel economy and lower emissions. The new engine combines continuously variable valve lift and timing control with the continuously variable phase control of VTC (Variable Timing Control). Honda plans to release a production vehicle equipped with the new engine within three years.
This new system permits optimum control over intake valve lift and phase in response to driving conditions, achieving improved charging efficiency for a significant increase in torque at all engine speeds. Under low to medium load levels, the valves are set for low lift and early closure to reduce pumping losses and improve fuel economy.
In combination with optimized intake components, these advances in control technology result in world-class dynamic performance along with approximately 13%* improvement in fuel economy. The new engine is also exceptionally clean, with exhaust emissions that meet both U.S. Environmental Protection Agency LEV2-ULEV regulations and Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport requirements for Low-Emission Vehicles, with emission levels 75% lower than those required by the 2005 standards (based on Honda calculations).
* Engine only, as compared to production 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine (Honda calculations)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Tommy 5:18PM (9/25/2006)
Finally! The others had been catching up (Toyota, GM, BMW, VW/Audi)... If they can get this into something soon they'll return to the Ward's 10 best engines list in no time.
It's gotta be the next-gen Accord base engine, IMO. Can Accord reclaim the "America's Favorite Car" throne from Camry with this thing?
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Jim P. 5:41PM (9/25/2006)
Say what you want about Honda, but they make some of the best engines in the world. From an engineering standpoint, I'll take the Honda over the Toyota any day. I can't wait to see this on the market.
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Juan 5:50PM (9/25/2006)
I'd like to see other automakers license this technology instead of trying to reinvent it. I wonder if Advanced VTEC would be equally beneficial to DOHC V8s?
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Andy 5:55PM (9/25/2006)
Where's the Honda V-10?
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risingsun 6:09PM (9/25/2006)
Put this on the K23 turbo going into the next TSX.
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kowell 6:09PM (9/25/2006)
not the biggest Honda fan but you gotta give it to those guys.... Best 4 cylinders on the market
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FC 6:10PM (9/25/2006)
Is that some sort of statue honda started placing in front of cars for photos?
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Count Blah 6:11PM (9/25/2006)
Honda has at least two 2.4L engines. One gets 166hp/160ft-lbs and goes in the US Accord for 34mpg hwy. The other gets 205hp/164ft-lbs and goes in the Acura TSX for 30mph hwy. The latter generates max hp at 7000rpm instead of 5800rpm.
I wonder which of the two were used as the base engine, and if the improvements will be seen in both the TSX and Accord. Pictured above is a European Accord, aka TSX.
*numbers are from Edmunds for manual transmissions. Also of note is that the TSX weighs 89 lbs (or about 3%) more.
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Cosmo Kramer 6:11PM (9/25/2006)
As I typed earlier, Honda still has a lot of room for imporvement with GAS engines and this news is a testament to that. All we hear about is how bad engines are ---AL THE WHORE GORE---but Honda has continually improved the performance, emissions, and mileage of their engines.
If they can figure out how to get their vtec engines more low end torque while improving gas mileage, Honda will do much to over take Toyota in sales.
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Al Gore 6:22PM (9/25/2006)
I am not a whore.
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DPC car videos 6:26PM (9/25/2006)
Honda is widening the gap once again with this engine.
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glitched 6:33PM (9/25/2006)
I want to see a side by side comparison of this motor and Nissan's new VQ25HR motor...
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avixe 6:50PM (9/25/2006)
Good to hear. As great as Honda four cylinders are, the competition has pretty much caught up at this point – and they're getting some torque out of 'em, too.
As a side note, seems like they could've kept the RSX upmarket if the turbo 2.3 fit in there. Giving Acura turbos and keeping Honda NA would be interesting.
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doug 7:08PM (9/25/2006)
What's with all the Honda news lately? They never reveal themselves 3 years early. We've had the clean diesel, the fuel cell car, and now this....
Usually on car companies in trouble reveal future products so early
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Whydrive 7:11PM (9/25/2006)
Honda may have the best 4-cylinder engines but their 6-cylinder engines pale in comparison to BMW's and even Nissan's.
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risingsun 7:22PM (9/25/2006)
The competition has NOT caught up to Honda's 4 cylinder engines. K20z3 = 100 hp / liter in the new Civic Si. Name a domestic company that has a NA motor with that kind of specific output? As far as I know, the only naturally aspirated car available in USA to match 100 hp / liter since Honda came out with the B16a1 in 1989(!!) was BMW when they released the latest M5 V10 5.0L making 500hp, and that's in a $80K+ car. Domestics have nothing naturally aspirated that can compete.
And low end torque in a gasoline engine = shitty in-town mileage. Hi revving silky smooth K series = economical sensibility + plenty of great-sounding and smooth running fun.
And leave it to the American SAE to change horsepower ratings to favor the US brands over foreign competitors. How low will they sink?
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Jimmy 7:25PM (9/25/2006)
So what can this do that BMW's Valvetronic can't do already ?
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MikeW 7:27PM (9/25/2006)
Continously variable valve lift?
BMW Valvetronic, which may or may not have been acquired with the purchase of Rover.
And three more years to go. That is almost a decade behind BMW.
Honda is starting to look like the stupid nerd it is, where's the beef [smarts]?
No cylinder shutoff for V6 accords? 20/29 doesn't look very good, No variable resonance on non manual and hybrid V6s.
Sh*tHandlint AWD, Honda tried that clutch and planetary BS years ago on the Prelude SH, went no where.
I'm just pissed because honda didn't make a 150hp at the rear tire VFR Interceptor with a 90 degree 360 crank V4 (chop up a CBR 1000 to make a nice 4 bearing V4) 6 year old in motorcycle year is two generations.
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MikeW 7:44PM (9/25/2006)
The competition has surpassed Honda.
Look at specific torque, 139ft-lbs @6100 from 1.998 liters, 69.6 ft-lbs liter, on VTEC.
compare
Renault Clio RS. 1.998 liters, 197hp@7250, 159ft-lbs@5500, so what the Honda revs to 8000 versus 7500, are you going to miss it?
Look at MercedesBenz direct injection 3.5 V6 [not available in the USA], 288hp 269ft-lbs from 3.498 liters, 77 ft-lbs/liter.
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avixe 7:54PM (9/25/2006)
#16, You're certainly right that the competition hasn't matched Honda .. in terms of horsepower per liter, naturally aspirated. Thing is, although 100 hp/L is technically impressive, 139 lb-ft @ 6100rpm isn't. Cars powered by four-bangers ain't gettin' any lighter, so in terms of everyday drivability, Honda isn't necessarily where it's at anymore.
(And as far as milage goes, the Civic Si's engine has the same rated mileage as the VAG 2.0T – 23/32.)
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