Honda promises cleaner, powerful diesels
22 October 2007 Two improved versions of the company's 2.2-litre turbodiesel unit will become available in the next-generation Accord, due in mid-2008. One will develop around 10% more power and pulling strength than the current 138bhp engine, and will be available with manual or automatic transmission. The other is expected to be 25-30% stronger than today's engine and comes with only a six-speed manual gearbox. Economy and CO2 figures will be about the same as in the current car, however, because the new Accord will be bigger and heavier. Both engines meet Euro 5 emissions regulations due to come in force from September 2009. These require soot particulates escaping into the atmosphere to be reduced by 80% compared with today's regulations, while nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions fall by more than 20%. Honda is also working on an even more advanced development of the 2.2-litre diesel that will surpass the proposed Euro 6 regulations due to be introduced in 2014. These would require today's NOx limits to be cut by more than two-thirds. This super-clean version of the engine already meets even more stringent emissions rules that America will enforce in 2009. It does so through a clever exhaust catalyst that creates its own ammonia to break NOx down by turning it into harmless nitrogen. Honda estimates the engine will be around 10% more powerful than its current 2.2-litre diesel, but 5% worse for fuel economy and CO2 because of the impact of the NOx-reducing measures. |
Page 1
ESSENTIAL AUTO TRADER LINKS
RSS FEEDS 
Receive the latest news and features directly to your internet browser or RSS reader.
Find out more and how to subscribe
Bookmark this page with: