Honda Develops New 1.8-liter i-VTEC Engine that Provides Enhanced Fuel Economy and Powerful Performance

"American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has announced it will introduce a new 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine this fall in the upcoming 2006 Civic designed to achieve both more powerful performance and enhanced fuel economy. The engine employs an "intelligent" i-VTEC system that switches the valve timing for maximum efficiency during takeoff and acceleration to achieve powerful performance with excellent torque output, and then delays intake valve closure timing during cruising and other low-load conditions for enhanced fuel economy. Use of the valve timing control system results in off-the-line acceleration performance at low rpm equivalent to that of a 2.0-liter engine, and efficiency that is up to 6 percent 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." read more at Honda