Honda’s engine range is set to expand with a more powerful version of its existing 1.6-litre diesel and a series of low-capacity, low-emissions petrol units.
Adrian Killham, large project leader for the Civic Tourer, revealed that a higher-powered version of the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel, is on the cards for the Civic and across other models in the range: “This engine has been developed to have some flexibility in its performance in future. It was developed with some reserve.”
Labelled with Honda’s Earth Dreams sub-brand to signify low emissions, the 1.6-litre unit emits 94g/km in the Civic hatchback, 99g/km in the Civic Tourer and 119g/km in the CR-V SUV.
Killham added that the firm’s larger 2.2-litre diesel engine, which has already been dropped from the Civic range, is to be ditched completely: “The 2.2 is going to be phased out across the whole model range. There is no long-term prospect for that engine.”
The company officially unveiled a new series of low-capacity petrol engines last month and Killham said at least one of them may appear in the Tourer: “The most appropriate engine is going to be applied [to the Civic].”