Honda Develops New 1.8l i-VTEC Engine: Superior Fuel Economy and Powerful Performance Achieved With Valve Timing Control That Responds to Driving Conditions


Tokyo, Japan, July 5, 2005 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (LSE: 7267q) today announced that it has developed a new 1.8l i-VTEC engine to be introduced this fall in the new Civic that achieves both more powerful performance and improved fuel economy. The engine employs an intelligent VTEC system that switches the valve timing for maximum efficiency during startup and acceleration to achieve powerful, torquey performance, then delays intake valve closure timing during cruising and other low-load conditions for improved fuel economy. Use of the valve timing control system results in off-the-line acceleration performance equivalent to a 2.0-liter engine, fuel economy approximately 6% better than the current 1.7-liter Civic engine, making it one of the world's most efficient 1.8-liter engine designs. During cruising, the new engine achieves particularly high fuel economy, on a par with that of a 1.5-liter engine.

Under low-load conditions on conventional engine, the throttle valve is normally partly closed to control the intake volume of the fuel-air mixture. During this time, pumping losses are incurred due to intake resistance, and this is one factor that leads to reduced engine efficiency. With the i-VTEC engine, however, intake valve closure timing is delayed to control the intake volume of the air-fuel mixture, allowing the throttle valve to remain wide open even under low-load conditions for a major reduction in pumping losses of up to 16%. Combined with comprehensive friction-reducing measures, this results in a significant increase in fuel efficiency for the engine itself.

A DBW (Drive By Wire) system provides high-precision control over the throttle valve while the valve timing is being changed over, ensuring smooth driving performance that leaves the driver unaware of any torque fluctuations. Other innovations include a variable-length intake manifold that delivers optimum inertia effect to further improve intake efficiency and piston oil jets that cool the pistons to suppress engine knock, for powerful torque even at rpm ranges typical in normal driving. The new engine delivers a high level of performance, with maximum output of 103kW (140PS) and maximum torque of 174Nom (17.7kgom). It also delivers cleaner emission performance, employing a 2-bed catalytic converter positioned immediately after the manifold and high-precision air-fuel ratio control to achieve emission levels 75% below 2005 Japanese government standards (based on Honda in-house testing).

In addition, lower block construction resulting in a more rigid engine frame, aluminum rocker arms, high-strength cracked connecting rods, a narrow, silent cam chain, and other innovations make the engine more compact and lightweight. It is both lighter and shorter overall than the current Civic 1.7l engine, and quieter as well. *All values according to Honda in-house calculations

Specifications for the 1.8l i-VTEC engine

Engine type and number Water-cooled in-line 4-cylinder of cylinders Displacement (cc) 1,799 Bore x Stroke (mm) 81.0 x 87.3 Max. Output (kW [PS]/rpm) 103 [140]/6,300 Max. Torque (Nm [kgm]/rpm) 174 [17.7]/4,300 Compression Ratio 10.5

*All values according to Honda in-house calculations

source : theautochannel

 

Tokyo, Japan, July 5, 2005 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has developed a New Honda Hybrid System, which features a 3-stage i-VTEC engine that employs Honda's intelligent VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system to provide three stages of valve timing (low-rpm, high-rpm, and cylinder idle mode), combined with Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system that has been made significantly more compact and efficient. The New Honda Hybrid System will be introduced in the all-new Civic Hybrid, to be launched this fall.

The New Honda Hybrid System employs intelligent engine functions and a more efficient IMA system to achieve an approximate 20% increase in system output over the current system(1) and the powerful performance of a 1.8-liter engine while improving fuel economy by 5%(2), reducing the system size by 5% and attainting a world-leading level of emissions performance. The system offers significantly improved performance and fuel economy over the current system.
(1) Current Civic Hybrid system
(2) Compared to current Civic Hybrid when driven in 10-15 mode

The 3-stage i-VTEC engine employs three hydraulic pathways to couple and uncouple five rocker arm assemblies, providing three stages of valve control depending on the driving conditions to achieve a combination of responsive driving and fuel economy. During deceleration when the cylinders are idle, combustion in all four cylinders is halted and the cylinders sealed shut, reducing pumping losses caused by engine aspiration for a 10% improvement in recovery of braking energy compared to the current model(3). Virtually everything possible has been done to reduce friction as well, including the use of aluminum die-cast pistons, which feature low thermal expansion for less friction under high-temperature conditions, ion-plated piston rings, and plateau honing of the cylinder walls for a smoother surface.
(3) Current Civic Hybrid

Honda's independently developed electric motor employs coils with high-density windings and high-performance magnets to attain output 1.5 times that of the current model while maintaining the same size. The inverter used to control motor speed-also independently developed and manufactured by Honda-is integrated with the motor's ECU for more precise digital control, contributing to even greater motor efficiency and fuel economy. Battery output has been increased by around 30% over the current model3, while a more compact, custom designed battery storage box offers increased cooling performance and vibration resistance for improved long-term reliability.

Also, a dynamic regenerative braking system is employed that hydraulically controls the brakes based on the amount of brake regeneration. This permits maximum braking regeneration along with smooth deceleration that conforms to brake-pedal pressure. The air conditioner features a hybrid compressor that is powered by both the engine and the motor. When the engine is in Idle Stop mode the compressor is powered by the motor; if rapid cooling is required it is powered by the engine and motor combined. When the temperature is stable it runs off the motor alone, for both improved comfort and fuel savings.
*All values are based on Honda in-house calculations


New Honda Hybrid System Modes of Operation

Vehicle stationary
The engine is turned off and fuel consumption is zero.

Startup and acceleration
The engine operates in low-speed valve timing mode, with motor assist.

Rapid acceleration
The engine operates in high-speed valve timing mode, with motor assist.

Low-speed cruising
The valves of all four of the engine's cylinders are closed and combustion halted. The motor alone powers the vehicle.

Gentle acceleration and high-speed cruising
The engine operating in low-speed valve timing mode powers the vehicle.

Deceleration

The valves of all four of the engine's cylinders are closed and combustion halted. The motor recovers the maximum amount of energy released during deceleration and stores it in the battery.

*All values according to Honda in-house calculations

source : thecarconnection

 

question; is this the IMA-beating system they were intending on releasing around now?

comment; Toyota and Honda are leaving their competition in the dust, it's not even funny anymore. While GM, Ford, BMW, MB are showing of their new fuel saving tech, Toyota and Honda have not only released theirs at pretty much ALL price ranges your "green-buyer" would want (under 20k Prius, Insight, Civic IMA, under 30k Accord IMA, under 40k Highlander H, around 50k RX400h), but are also planning their next generation technology. Honda has just released the first civilian fuel cell prototype car to some willing customer (don't know the exact info). Honda has also come out with an unbelieveable Direct Injection system on a variant of the K20 engine dubbed "i-VTEC I". It gets over 40 MPG with a conventional gasoline engine. Don't know too much about what Toyota is doing behind their doors, but their success on the market with the Prius shows me their success.

Go Toyota and Honda!

 

I agree, where is the rest of the world in this high-tech race! Looks like the germans are busy trying to get every single ounce of horsepower out of their engines, whether it beingsupercharging or turbocharging... whats next, an AMG Turbojet-powered SL?

i've been hearing about direct-injection a lot in new cars.... can someone please explain to me what the difference between normal fuel injection and direct injection is, like mentioned by TSXstacy? Thanks

 

im not much of an auto-tech guru, but as far as i know...

Injectors in cars (what feeds the cylinder gas) are conventionally aimed on a slight angle, causing the gas to hit part of the cylinder's inside wall. This ever so slightly makes you lose gas, and thus, MPG. With DIRECT INJECTION, the injector's shot is "directed" right towards the cylinder head, causing gas to be used more efficiently... better MPG.

Honda has amazing tech videos whenever they release a big thing. They have one on their i-VTEC I system, if only I can find it. This would really help explain things for you.

 

Honda's i-VTEC I Tech Video . this video will explain everything for me

I love how they release these tech videos, very entertaining and insightful. I'll post some more if I can find them.

Honda 1.8L i-VTEC Hybrid Engine Video
Honda's 3-Stage i-VTEC + IMA engine