Honda's new VTEC offers more power, better fuel economy, cleaner emissions
Honda introduced the wonders of their innovative VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control System) technology to Americans by rolling out the NSX in 1990. At the time, many considered the technology to be the normally-aspirated alternative to turbocharging and supercharging. For some, though, Honda engineers made the turbos and superchargers seem like archaic add-ons because instead of increasing horsepower by dumping more fuel into the combustion chamber with high air pressures, the brilliance of VTEC actually looked to improve the engine's combustion efficiency as you approach redline. The result was a horsepower punch with a limited hit on fuel economy.
Since then, there have been a few different iterations of the technology. In 1992, Honda focused their efforts on gas mileage and introduced VTEC-E which increased efficiency by using a sliding pin that kept one intake valve per cylinder closed at lower RPMs. In 2002, the i-VTEC arrived to U.S. shores which added camshaft phasing for either higher performance or increased fuel efficiency depending on which model vehicle it resided in.
Today, Honda announced the latest iteration of its VTEC technology (simply dubbed Advanced VTEC) which they plan to release into production within 3 years. The system offers increased control over intake valve lift and phase under different driving conditions. Preliminary internal tests show a significant increase in torque throughout the rev range as well as a 13 percent improvement in fuel economy. And being a Honda, you can expect the new engines will run relatively clean. The company states that they will meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency LEV2-ULEV standards.
[Source: Honda Motor Company]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yes_i_am_an_american 11:11AM (9/26/2006)
I lub Honda!
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Shoeman 11:26AM (9/26/2006)
Interesting. Honda continues to impress with engine advances.
before the VTEC/Honda/domestic bashers/haters/lovers jump in, a moment of sanity and clarification about VTEC ... while 'VTEC' specifically was 'invented' by Honda in the late 80s (and that specific term patented), the concept of Variable Valve Timing to achieve these results is older. Yes, Honda championed it, and a number of major car manufacturers have followed suit and use it in mainstream cars too ... so I'm not trying to imply Honda doesn't deserve a LOT of credit for it :)
Did some digging and found this quote
Misconception: Honda invented VTEC - Variable valve timing has been around for years, both mechanical and computer controlled. Every major auto manufacturer has used it. Honda made it mainstream and perfected it for mass produced automobile use, and other automobile manufacturers have since followed suit.
More info at http://www.sanitypages.com/auto/vtec.htm
No idea how accurate tihs is, but it talks about an American inventor who thought of the conept first, and died bankrupt ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corliss_Orville_Burandt
Irrespective - more dual-personality frugal/fun engines for the rest of us (I drive a ford Mazda version ... the 2.3l MZR in my Mazda 6i, and absolutely love it, notwithstanding it isn't as advanced as VTEC and VANOS and has only two profiles :)
Kudos for Honda for continuing to push the concept further!
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