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Honda's i-VTEC Engine - From Power to Performance
i-VTEC engine is a modern face of car engine that surpasses in terms of both technical advancement and performance. This revolutionary car engine is introduced by Honda, the manufacturer of India’s first hybrid car, in the global car market. The term ‘i-VTEC’ is an acronym used for intelligent VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control).
The engine was designed with an aim to deliver a perfect blend of fuel-efficiency, high power, and low emissions. To achieve the aim, skilled and talented Honda engineers incorporated a host of innovative technologies to design and build the engine that excels in all parameters including driving pleasure, mileage, power, performance, and even efficiency.
The innovative technology incorporated in i-VTEC engine helped Honda to boast its technical precision. The recently launched all new Honda City fitted with i-VTEC engine stand out in its class with the high power out put and torque along with unmatched fuel-efficiency and lower threatening emissions.
Some of the technologies that have helped Honda to sculpture this new and improved engine are mentioned below:
The engine was designed with an aim to deliver a perfect blend of fuel-efficiency, high power, and low emissions. To achieve the aim, skilled and talented Honda engineers incorporated a host of innovative technologies to design and build the engine that excels in all parameters including driving pleasure, mileage, power, performance, and even efficiency.
The innovative technology incorporated in i-VTEC engine helped Honda to boast its technical precision. The recently launched all new Honda City fitted with i-VTEC engine stand out in its class with the high power out put and torque along with unmatched fuel-efficiency and lower threatening emissions.
Some of the technologies that have helped Honda to sculpture this new and improved engine are mentioned below:
Increased Diameter of Intake Valve
It is believed that the intake valve of the car engine plays a significant role in generating power output. Honda engineers therefore redesigned the valve with increased diameter of about 28 mm. This helped in reduction of losses that occurs when the fuel is pumped into the engine. When the pumping losses are reduced, the engine delivers better power output.
Improved Flow of Coolant
In the previous engine, Honda used a dual flow structure for the flow of coolant. This often causes abnormal combustion as the flow of coolant is not concentrated. Therefore, Honda re-engineered the design with a single flow structure with improved concentration and cooling. This in turn helps to improve combustion and delivers superior power output and performance.
Modifications in the Piston
A piston is positioned in the engine cylinder to convert the combustion energy to mechanical energy. It is composed of light, durable, and resistant material and is placed in the bottom half of the combustion chamber. From there, it transfers the force created by friction between the piston rings and the cylinder. This force is then passed on to the crankshaft through the connecting rod and piston rings. It also provides transmission of the heat from the combustion chamber to the engine block where combustion takes place. Excessive heat is a key factor that causes abnormal combustion. Honda engineers re-structured the piston with a modified piston head that is more compact and thicker. This helps in prevention of residual gas accumulation which further eliminates the condition responsible for abnormal combustion or engine knocking. This aids to improve power output and performance.
In addition, a patterned piston coating helps improve oil retention and reduce friction between the rings and the cylinder. With improved oil retention and less friction, the engine is committed to deliver better fuel-efficiency.
In addition, a patterned piston coating helps improve oil retention and reduce friction between the rings and the cylinder. With improved oil retention and less friction, the engine is committed to deliver better fuel-efficiency.
Adoption of Resonator Chamber
Resonator chamber is a hollow chamber with specified dimensions to permit internal oscillation of the pulse waves generated in each cylinder. When associated with the intake manifold of the car’s engine, this chamber helps create a resonant effect for a large amount of intake air which further helps to enhance power output. Therefore, Honda adopted the physics of resonance to tune the intake manifold so that more power can be delivered. Intake manifold is the system of passages that functions to supply the fuel and air mixture to the cylinder of car engine. Slight adjustments are made in the capacity and shape of this system of passages so that the torque curve is dipped and the engine delivers a smoother driving experience.
Application of Drive-by-wire Technology
In simple words, drive-by-wire technology is an innovative technology that refers to replacement of mechanical engine components with electronic controls. It is one such technology that took birth in response to the stringent emission norms. In many of the new cars introduced in the car market including the all-new Honda City and Nissan X-Trail, the mechanical throttle cable is replaced by electronic sensors to deliver better driving experience, improved power output, and unmatched performance.
This new system consists of a sophisticated sensor positioned on the pedal that closely monitors the position of the accelerator and sends information like fuel pressure, engine temperature, and exhaust gas-re-circulation to the main control unit that operates the throttle valve. This increases the accuracy of the information and helps improve engine responsiveness as well as fuel-efficiency.
This new system consists of a sophisticated sensor positioned on the pedal that closely monitors the position of the accelerator and sends information like fuel pressure, engine temperature, and exhaust gas-re-circulation to the main control unit that operates the throttle valve. This increases the accuracy of the information and helps improve engine responsiveness as well as fuel-efficiency.
Reduction in Engine Weight
It is a known fact that a car with lower weight delivers better performance and fuel economy compared to the one with larger weight. Driven by this fact, Honda applied all possible techniques to reduce the overall weight of i-VTEC engine. The mass of the connecting rods and the engine cover were reduced to achieve a light weight engine.
The connecting rods with hot-forged high-tension steel were re-designed that reduces the cross-sectional area of the rods, eventually resulting in weight reduction. The heavy-weight aluminium covers were also replaced with plastic covers. They realised that after replacing the old covers with the plastic covering, the overall weight of the engine has been reduced by about 1 kg. The reduced weight further helps to achieve better power, performance, and fuel-efficiency. This is because the engine needs comparatively less power to pull the car.
The connecting rods with hot-forged high-tension steel were re-designed that reduces the cross-sectional area of the rods, eventually resulting in weight reduction. The heavy-weight aluminium covers were also replaced with plastic covers. They realised that after replacing the old covers with the plastic covering, the overall weight of the engine has been reduced by about 1 kg. The reduced weight further helps to achieve better power, performance, and fuel-efficiency. This is because the engine needs comparatively less power to pull the car.
High Thermal Resistance Catalytic Convertor
Catalytic convertors are devices used in automobiles to reduce the toxicity of pollutants discharged from the internal combustion engine. To improve the performance of these convertors, Honda’s engineers adopted the high thermal resistance convertors and integrated them with the cylinder head and exhaust manifold. This integration allows the exhaust port to stay within the head of engine cylinder and the convertor in direct contact. This further reduces the space responsible for escape of harmful emissions.
The exhaust port composed of aluminium allows temperature to increase soon after ignition. When the temperature is at its peak, the exhaust gases reach the convertor and activate the catalyst. This helps to gain improved fuel-efficiency and also low emissions.
The exhaust port composed of aluminium allows temperature to increase soon after ignition. When the temperature is at its peak, the exhaust gases reach the convertor and activate the catalyst. This helps to gain improved fuel-efficiency and also low emissions.
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