UK Honda Accord i DTEC receives automatic transmission

Honda, recognizing the potential for growth in the demand for more economical diesel engines, has made public its plans to open its first automatic transmission for a diesel motor early in 2009.

The latest gearbox is ready to be introduced in the newest Accord Euro, but unfortunately the automatic option for the diesel engine will not arrive in the Acura TSX saloon of North America anytime soon. Reports gathered of late asserted that plans to launch a diesel TSX gas been placed by Honda on indefinite hold. Instead, Honda is hoping to make the Accord Euro version more attractive to a fresh section of buyers overseas, specifically in the corporate market, by the inclusion of an automatic in its i-DTEC turbodiesel engine.

Honda, which began producing diesel engines only in 2004, says that the automatic gearbox has been developed within as the company didn’t want to “compromise the performance” of its engine by joining it with a non-Honda transmission.

The new five-speed unit utilizes the same straight gate arrangement and paddle shift system as observed on the Accord Euro petrol automatic earlier. CO2 discharges are rated at 170g/km in the saloon version and 173-174g/km for the Touring wagon contingent on the model grade. Fuel efficiency, in the meantime, is rated at 44.1mpg (combined) for the saloon and 42.8mpg (combined) for the Tourer.

Ceiling speed is 129 mph for the sedan and 126 mph for the wagon. Top output is rated at 134 hp (100kW) and 258lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. The fresh automatic diesel will be available for sale in Europe early next year.

The Accord i-DTEC automatic will go on sale in January 2009 priced from £22,400 (Accord 2.2 i-DTEC ES saloon) and £23,700 (Accord 2.2 i-DTEC ES Tourer).

Now, let's hope that they can perfect this transmission so they can hit emission's standards here in North America and if the moon and the stars align....maybe,.....just maybe......

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-accord-i-dtec-receives-automatic-transmission/

2009 Acura TSX / Euro Accord

The 2009 Acura TSX will be introduced during the New York International Auto Show media days which occur on March 19th and 20th.

The Euro Accord will be offered with three high-tech engines, all of which are compliant with stricter Euro 5 emissions regulations. The first is the second-gen i-Dtec engine producing around 148 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque at just 2,000 rpm. This will be the same motor that Honda introduces as its first diesel for the U.S. market in the Acura TSX, and we can't wait. Europeans also get their choice of a 2.0L i-VTEC producing 154 horsepower and a 2.4L four-cylinder producing nearly 200 hp and 172 foot pounds of torque. All three engines can be mated to a 6-speed manual, while the gas engines get optional 5-speed automatics, as well.

2009 Acura TSX / Euro Accord to get i-Dtec Diesel Motor

For those of you who don't now, the Acura TSX is the European Honda Accord, and it looks like the diesel will make it's introduction into the North American market under the Acura badge.

“All along, we’ve said there would be a diesel in Acura,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. “The whole direction is to separate Acura and Honda more. In five to six years, Acura will be a tier 1 luxury brand. The face of Acura will be totally different.”

Honda will also introduce a V6 diesel in 2010 for the Acura TL, the MDX as well as some Honda vehicles including the Accord.

The Honda i-DTEC engine meets the ultra-strict U.S. EPA Tier II Bin 5 emission standards without on-board storage of urea.

Acura Announces Clean Diesel in 2009

Turbocharged i-DTEC Engine Displayed at the North American International Auto Show

Acura will introduce the new i-DTEC clean diesel engine to the North American market in 2009. The i-DTEC engine reduces noxious exhaust emissions while boosting power and fuel efficiency. A combination of optimized combustion chamber design and reduced injection time results in a clean, quiet engine that delivers excellent performance for an enjoyable driving experience. In addition, the i-DTEC engine meets the ultra-stringent U.S. EPA Tier II Bin 5 emission standards without the on-board storage of urea.

The i-DTEC clean diesel engine is on display exclusively in the Acura booth at the North American International Auto Show and will be utilized in an Acura vehicle to be named at a later date.