Geneva motor show 2012: Honda 1.6 diesel unit

Honda aims to become the world’s number one in terms of engine efficiency with its new range of powerplants. The Japanese manufacturer officially unveiled its new 1.6-litre diesel engine at the Geneva motor show today.

The engine is the first in a series of efficient units Honda will roll out under the Earth Dreams Technology banner.

The 1.6 diesel – which Honda claims is the lightest engine in its class – is expected to emit 95g/km of CO2 and will be installed in the new Civic at the end of the year.

“With our Earth Dream Technology, we aim to be number one in terms of engine emissions within three years,” said Honda Motor Europe president Manuba Nishiru.

The new 1596cc unit produces 118bhp at 4000rpm and 221lb ft at 2000rpm. Honda claims it is the lightest engine in its class, has CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km in a Civic and class-leading performance and economy.

A cutaway of the new engine was joined on the Honda stand by a prototype version of the upcoming Honda CR-V replacement. A version of the CR-V has already gone on sale in North America, and the European model is set to get a more aggressive stance and more heavily sculpted bodywork than its sister car. European sales of the new CR-V will commence in autumn 2012.

The new NSX Concept also made a European debut at Geneva, complete with Honda badging for the first time. It appeared at the Detroit motor show last month with Acura badging.

Finally, two new versions of the Jazz were launched at Geneva; a Jazz Si model with ‘sporty suspension’ and subtle styling tweaks, and a Jazz 1.2 with stop-start that cuts CO2 emissions by 3g/km.