New Honda VTEC engines revealed

Honda has announced three new turbocharged VTEC petrol engines as part of its growing Earth Dreams Technology range. The new VTEC engine range will include a 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo, as well as larger a 2.0-litre turbo motor, which will be used in the upcoming Honda Civic Type R.

All three engines benefit from the use of direct injection and variable valve motion technology, which will help deliver ‘dynamic performance, as well as class-leading output and fuel economy.’

The 1.0-litre engine will be a three-cylinder unit, while both the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines will be four-cylinder motors. Honda has not announced which cars the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre engines will power, but the Japanese manufacturer has stated they will be fitted to a number of future global models, likely to include the next Jazz, Civic and production version of the Urban SUV concept that's set to rival the Ford EcoSport.

The smaller capacity engines also feature reduced friction levels, which not only aids efficiency but also boosts performance.

Honda has made no secret about the development of the new Civic Type R – in fact we’ve already driven the prototype version – and the larger 2.0-litre turbo VTEC engine will be the first of the new Earth Dreams units to appear. A power figure for that engine is yet to be conformed but Honda has promised 'in excess of 276bhp.'