Diesel
engine versions of Honda’s UK-built Civic three and five door hatchback models
will make their world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
The Isuzu-sourced 1.7-litre turbodiesel has common rail direct injection and
variable nozzle turbocharger and accelerates the three-door version from 0 to
100km/h (62 mph) in 11.2 seconds. EC combined cycle fuel consumption is 57.7
mpg.
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Power output is 100 PS at 4400 rpm and peak torque of 220 Nm is delivered at
1800 rpm. The DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder engine features a number of items
unique to Honda including the fuel filter and accelerator position sensor.
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Additional NVH measures for the diesel include an engine undercover, thicker
urethane foam insulation in the front bulkhead area, thicker floor mat insulators
and noise-absorbing felt backing on the fascia.
The engine itself features a high-performance acoustic cover, a dual damper-type
crank pulley and a higher inertia flywheel.
The diesel Civics, badged 1.7 CTDi, share liquid filled mounts attached to
either side of the sub-frame with their petrol siblings – one for the transmission,
the other for the engine. These minimise the transfer of engine vibration, particularly
at idle.
Honda says that the compact dimensions of the Isuzu engine were a significant
factor in its selection for the Civic because it fits in the confines of the
model’s ‘short nose’ design.
The Isuzu diesel is matched to a unique five-speed manual transmission with
ratios optimised to the engine’s characteristics. A triple cone synchroniser
between first and second gears ensures smooth shifting.
High strength, shot-peened gears are used, and despite the need to cope with
high levels of torque, the gearbox is compact; at 359.5 mm, it is just 7.5 mm
longer than the manual transmission of the 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engine cars.
Diesel vehicles accounted for one third of Western Europe’s C-segment
three door hatchback sales during 2000, compared with a fifth in 1997.
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