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March 3, 2017

A Closer Look at the 2017 Honda CR-V's i-DTEC Diesel Engine (w/ Video)


Set to headline this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show this month, Honda Automobiles Thailand has just confirmed that the all-new 2017 CR-V will finally be getting a diesel engine. The Bangkok Post reports that Honda’s compact crossover will employ a 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine producing 160 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This is the first time a diesel engine will be fitted to a Honda vehicle in the Southeast Asian region and is a significant step to actually realizing a diesel-fed CR-V in the Philippine market.

Known for their prowess in engineering some of the best small-displacement gasoline engines, Honda has been making in-roads in diesel technology as well. Beginning with the i-CTDi or Intelligent Commonrail Direct Injection engine in the early 2003, Honda has since moved to the i-DTEC naming in 2008.


The CR-V’s 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine is part of Honda’s Earth Dreams engine family. It’s an engine that first made its way in the facelifted CR-V in 2015. It’s a remarkable piece of engineering that has three main characteristics: smaller and lighter, reduced mechanical friction, and greater efficiency.

Using an aluminum block, Honda’s 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine is 47 kilograms lighter than the company’s own 2.2-liter unit. All individual components have been optimized, reducing their weight and size without compromising on reliability and durability. For example, the thickness of the cylinder wall has been reduced to 8 mm compared with 9 mm in the 2.2 i-DTEC. The 1.6-liter unit also uses lighter pistons and connecting rods as well.


Together with this optimization to reduce size and weight, Honda engineers have also reduced the mechanical friction inside the 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine. Friction reduction is important because it improves fuel efficiency, emissions, and engine response both on and off the throttle. All rotating parts have been studied carefully to reduce friction. One example is how the 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine uses a shorter and thinner piston skirt. With 40 percent less mechanical friction than the 2.2-liter i-DTEC engine at 1,500 rpm, Honda has achieved mechanical friction levels comparable to that of a typical gasoline engine.

Extracting the most efficiency out of the CR-V’s 1.6-liter i-DTEC, Honda uses a Bosch high-pressure direct injection system. It delivers fuel at 1,800 bar of pressure resulting in a finer, more even spray of fuel resulting in a cleaner, more efficient combustion. Together with this, Honda’s engineers also improved the volumetric efficiency of the cylinders. The use of an EGR or Exhaust Gas Recirculation system reduces NOx emissions as well. Finally, a clever turbocharger from Garrett makes use of a variable nozzle design. Precisely controlled by the car’s electronics, it minimizes turbo lag and ensures good mid- to high-speed performance. It provides a maximum boost pressure of 1.5 bar.


Bangkok Post also reports that the Honda CR-V will mate this 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine to a 9-speed automatic transmission. This should give the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC a fuel efficiency rating of 18.9 km/L.

Now, here comes the interesting part.

Honda’s i-DTEC engines are supposedly rated for Euro-5 emissions standards thanks to a Diesel Particulate Filter or DPF. However with Thailand currently at Euro-4 emissions (the same as, you guessed it, the Philippines), it seems the company has found a workaround.

Honda Automobiles Thailand has yet to announce the pricing and availability of the all-new CR-V, but Bangkok Post says it should be more affordable than the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv-D because of its lower emissions.  The paper pegs the price below 1.5 million Thai Baht (~ P 2,155,000).

Sources: The Bangkok Post

32 comments:

  1. My goodness gracious. If ever Honda will indeed price this at Php 2,155,000 then goodbye sales!

    Add to that the proposed vehicles tax schemes, although it has a big chance of being shot down in the Senate.

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    Replies
    1. Okay, I'll have to point out that cars in Thailand are more expensive than they are here.

      So likely, this will be around P 1.7M?

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    2. Hoping for it to be at 1.7M but highly doubt it since the current TOTL Crv already cost 1.693M. Maybe 1.8M is more realistic considering Honda tends to overprice their cars a bit, except if they'll put 2wd in it.

      In this regard, it will undercut the buyers of the CX5 Skyactiv D, Tucson VGT AWD & the Forester XT. And that includes me!

      Delete
  2. Sa inyo na lang yan, mayron everest, montero at fortuner na mas malaki at marami sakay. Mas mura pa.

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    Replies
    1. bitter. wala pang bili. respeto lang, kanya kanyang gusto yan. isa pa, sobra tagtag ng montero at fortuner..everest naman, swertehan sa sirain o hindi na units... kung ayaw mo, e d wag ka bumili...di yung magcocomment ka pa ng bitter post.

      Delete
    2. Truck-based SUVs are larger in terms of exterior, but car-based SUVs are larger in terms of interior. Car-based SUVs have better packaging. Compare them in actual and you'll see the fact is true.

      Delete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. 160Hp x 350Nm only at Php 2.2 million? Hahaha...sinlakas ng isuzu Mux..dont know what to say...aray ko, sasakit ata sikmura ko...

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    Replies
    1. Mux is fine kung you can stand the ride and handling of pickups auvs. Kung gusto mo carlike ride and handling you have to pay up

      Delete
  5. Isuzu is always saying (lying) about our fuel as dirty, that's why kono they're still using the Euro 2 engine here. Casting doubts on our Euro 4 fuels. They have the new 1.9 liter and the Euro 4 version of the 3 liter still they insist on using the Euro 2 3 liter engine here. These Japanese bastards just want to dispose of their remaining Euro 2 engines, that's all.
    People should be wary of the long term effect on using a different fuel standard. A cleaner fuel for a Euro 2 engine may sound safe. But Euro 2 engines were built to use the chemical composition of Euro 2 fuels. The vulnerable parts like rubbers, tubes, seals, etc. could be the culprit in affecting the engine's life span.

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  6. Based on their pricing here, the Honda WRV in 1.5 i-DTEC will be very expensive as well. Dead just like the Hyundai i20 Cross Sport diesel.

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  7. So many complaints about price tag. Eh di ba gusto ng mga Pinoy mataas palitan Peso-US dollar lalo na OFWs. Akala kasi nila walang effect yun sa cost of goods sa bansa.

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  8. All these European countries banning diesel engines by 2020s, and yet Pinoys demanding diesel variants, smh.

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    Replies
    1. Not all. Only France among major Euro countries. Germany, I doubt it. Germans love the power of diesels.

      Delete
  9. Sir Uly, may I know the fuel consumption of CR-V 2.0 V & S AT and RAV4 4x2?
    Many thanks....

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  10. kelan kaya to iannounce and maging available sa pinas, abot kaya ng April? Anyone from honda dealership or from the inside who has an idea?

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  11. Sa inyo nalang yan, unang diesel palang sa honda crv baka somedays malaki problema

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    Replies
    1. I don't know sa CRV, pero Honda's enjoying success fielding diesel engines in India (e.g. City, Amaze).

      May track record at least.

      Delete
  12. Sure could use diesel's torque-iness to haul its own weight.

    But with the selling price, and the impending taxes on diesel, baka the total costs of owning and running hindi na malayo sa gasoline engine.

    And if you're in for the comfortable ride (I believe that's the "C" in CRV), you can get a nice Subaru SUV at around the same price.

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  13. Bottom line is, you will buy what you want or need, and what you can afford to buy and maintain, it's not really a matter of which has got a better overall aspect. comprendo?

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  14. Do not complain if you cannot afford. Your money might prove too precious to you, your nagging wife or your needy children.

    If you fear the cost, get lost.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sir Uly, pls help me decide

    I'm choosing between a Bnew Landcruiser 2017 (CASA) or Mercedes VCLASS Extended wheelbase van. Both are around 4.3-4.4M Php

    I already have 2 Land Cruiser Prados (2012) for me and my wife. Both gas.

    I'm planning to semi retire my Prado (wont sell it, will use it from time to time for off-road or long trips.)

    I'm looking for something to replace it as my everyday vehicle, preferably diesel.

    I have a driver so driving dynamics aren't that important to me.

    Pls advise. Thank you!

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  16. Just go with the Toyota Landcruiser. Mercedes are nice but they tend to be absolute moneypits (very expensive parts and maintenance) when the go beyond 5 years old. Even if you have the cash to spend on repairs, you still will think twice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you say expensive, what is expensive? Do you have any idea how much PMS and maintenance for Mercedes cost? Haven't owned one. First one if ever.

      I've talked to LC Owners and they've said that CASA service is usually around 10k-25k?

      Delete
  17. If youre able to afford landcruisers mercedes shouldnt be that far off. You just have to go the extra mile.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! God willing, haha! Yep that's why Im asking around. It's one thing to have money, it's another to just throw it away. Haven't owned a Merc so im pretty much a newbie hehe, just making sure if it's the right buy.

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    2. Just want to buy one before the impending tax increase. The LC and the extended wheelbase V Class are both diesel and around the same price range.

      Delete
  18. This i-DTEC engine must be used in BR-V and Mobilio.

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