Honda’s new Earth Dreams engine family will be making its debut in the refreshed Accord this fall before making its way to the rest of the carmaker’s vehicle line-up. The Earth Dreams engines boast of having direct injection and double-overhead cams and are 10 percent more fuel efficient than the Japanese carmaker’s current four-cylinders. Honda will be adding Earth Dreams engines as each of its vehicles is redesigned, and in some situations will be available for mid-cycle revisions. Honda is also planning to endow its base four-cylinder engines with a twin-cam profile setup, variable valve timing and direct injection. There are speculations that the Japanese company may bring to the United States a 1.6-liter diesel capable of providing 220 pounds-feet of torque. Honda is also placing much focus on continuously variable transmissions or CVTs. While performance models and off-road vehicles will still be fitted with geared transmissions, Honda’s mainstream cars will sport CVTs. The Japanese carmaker is also set to unveil its large-car hybrid powertrain system in 2013, which means more of its vehicles will have a hybrid option. [source: Automotive News - sub. required]
Honda will reshape its lineup using new Earth Dreams engine family and CVTs
by Gerald Ferreira, Email, 01 Aug, 2012
