Set to join the one-and-only 128bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine-13bhp brushless electric motor hybrid version of the CR-Z currently on sale, the new model is planned to run a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct-injection VTEC engine under development at Honda's Tochigi R&D centre in Japan as part of an engine downsizing program aiming to boost fuel economy across the Honda line-up.
Details remain scarce, but sources tell TheAutoInsider Honda engineers are developing the new engine in at least two states of tune, a standard version and a possible Type-R version with which they are aiming to match the output of the comapny's 239bhp Japanese specification F22C1 2.2-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine used by the discontinued S2000.
The addition of turbocharging is aimed at boosting torque beyond the F22C1's 163lbft at 6500rpm in a process that would provide the gasoline engine CR-Z with improved driveability over the notoriously peaky S2000, which ceased production in June 2009 after a lengthy ten year model cycle.
The decision to add a gasoline engine to the CR-Z line-up comes after initial heavy demand for the compact two door has begun to wane in the all-important Japanese domestic market.
All right.
ReplyDeleteThe functionality of this new gasoline engine for Honda may be well enough for driving and maintenance. This is to be seem in the coming days, how effective will this engine be.
By the way, I like the new Honda models.