New Honda Civic Type R: Combining a turbocharger with VTEC and Dual-VTC technologies

Combining a turbocharger with Honda's VTEC and Dual-VTC technologies provides a number of benefits in output, efficiency and packaging. Dual-VTC allows a degree of valve timing overlap which is finely controlled across a broad rev range to improve responsiveness and efficiency. 

VTEC varies the degree of exhaust valve lift to reduce turbo lag through increased exhaust pressure at lower rpm while delivering a high output at higher rpm. As a result of the benefits these technologies bring, a mono scroll turbocharger can be used to produce a class-leading peak output, while maintaining response at lower engine speeds and a high-revving power delivery. In order to further improve responsiveness, the turbocharging system incorporates an electronic wastegate which offers a higher degree of freedom in induction pressure control over a conventional unit.

New Honda Civic Type R

At the heart of the new Civic Type R is an all-new, direct-injected turbocharged 2.0 litre VTEC TURBO petrol engine, which delivers power, torque and performance figures unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment. Peak power output is 310 PS at 6,500 rpm, and peak torque is 400 Nm between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm - both higher than for any previous Honda Type R model.

The mono scroll turbocharger combines with cast aluminium pistons, aluminium VTEC rocker arms, forged conrods and a lightweight crankshaft to minimise the overall weight, size and rotational mass of the engine.

High precision combustion technologies not only assist with improving engine output, but also lead to improvements in fuel efficiency and competitive emissions. 

At the core of these technologies is a direct injection system that prevents fuel sticking to the intake ports by injecting fuel directly into the cylinders and drawing only air through the ports, aided by Honda's multipoint injection control. A high pressure (20MPa) injector is used to greatly increase fuel atomisation and is supported by an 85% improvement in flow rate and 45% increase in fuel pressure over a conventional fuel pump-based system.