The next-generation Honda Civic range will feature a new pair of turbocharged petrol engines which promise fleet drivers excellent performance and fuel economy.
If you’ve been put off diesel by the recent VW emissions scandal but still want low monthly bills, then a small turbocharged petrol engine could be just the thing.
Combining variable valve technology with forced induction, Honda has already demonstrated the effectiveness of its VTEC Turbo design, which is currently being showcased in the savagely fast Civic Type R hot-hatch.
While this car produces an impressive 306bhp and can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, it is unlikely to appear on too many user-chooser lists.
Choice of two engines
Two smaller engines using the same technology should appeal though, and will find their way into the new Honda Civic when it comes out in 2017.
With smaller displacements of 1- and 1.5-litres, the new cake-and-eat-it VTEC Turbo engines are designed to provide high power and torque outputs while keeping fuel-efficiency and CO2 emissions at reasonable levels.
There are no details on precise emissions figures for the new Civic line-up, but it’ll have to compete with the likes of VW’s excellent TSI petrol engines in the Golf and of course Ford’s 1-litre EcoBoost powerplant in the Focus. The Earth Dreams Technology engines will form part of the powertrain line-up for the tenth-generation Civic, set for launch in Europe from early 2017.
We at Parkers like the current Civic, which offers a larger-than-you-would-expect boot and decent economy from a range of petrol and diesel engines.
Philip Crossman, managing director at Honda UK, said: “With the launch of these two new smaller turbocharged engines, we are responding to the market demand and the rising trend for increased fuel efficiency without compromising on power.”
New technology provides power and efficiency
The engines use a completely new structure with variable valve motion technology which reduces friction and provides a balance of high power output and efficiency.
As well as direct injection, the turbo system has been redeveloped and now promises a fast response, as it only needs a small amount of energy to wake up and start working.
The new Civic, in which these engines will find a home, was announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015.
Five-door variants will be made at Honda’s UK manufacturing plant in Swindon, and Honda has invested €270m (£195m) in new technology and processes in preparation for the new model.
