Honda i-VTEC Petrol Engines: Everything you need to know

Vtec, also known as Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control, was developed by Honda engineer Ikuo Kajitani. It was introduced in India in the year 2000 and since then has ruled the automobile world.

This type of engine was successful at achieving high power from small displacement engines while maintaining fuel efficiency. The VTech engine uses different camshaft profiles to achieve high and low performance. In a traditional engine, the camshaft (responsible for opening and closing the vales) has lobes of the same size.

However, the Honda VTec engine consisted of camshafts with different lobe sizes, which enabled it to switch between fuel-saving and performance operating modes successfully. In simple words, the VTec engine modifies the volume of air the engine intakes for powerful combustion, leading to greater horsepower and speed at high rpm. Some of the Honda VTec cars are the Civic Sport Touring Manual Hatchback, Honda CRV, Honda Accord, and so on.

From the VTec came into existence, the i-VTec, which revolutionised engines worldwide and made Honda one of the most popular automobile brands in India.

After the success of VTec engines in India, Honda launched the i-VTec. The i-VTec full form is Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control. The i-VTec is a combination of VTec and VTC (variable timing control).

The first Honda i-VTec car was the Honda City sedan with a 1.5 L engine. The fuel economy of the car surprised the Indian market, and soon, many other models with i-VTec engines were introduced.

The i-VTech allows the engine to have multiple camshafts. It enables the engine’s computer to activate different camshafts and also change the cam timings while the engine moves into varying RPM ranges.

As opposed to the traditional variable valve timing (VVT), which just changes the valve timing, the i-VTec engines with separate camshafts allow the engine to adjust the lift as well as the duration of valve opening.

With the i-VTec technology, the engine is able to have low-speed and high-speed camshafts in the same place. The core idea behind the i-VTec is to maximise the engine performance for every RPM range.

To fully understand i-VTec engines, let us understand the different components and their tasks.

Functionalities of the VTEC Engines

• For any engine to work, 4 different elements are needed to generate horsepower: air, fuel, compression, and spark. Different parts of the engine, like the camshafts and valves, play a crucial role in its entire work.

• The camshaft is the main component of an engine that enables it to take in air, combust fuel, and throw out exhaust gases at the appropriate time. It is located above the cylinder and piston. The i-VTec engine stands out from its counterparts as it has multiple camshafts.

• VTec consists of two components: variable timing and variable lift, both of which refer to the open and close functions of the engine valve. Variable lift supports efficient performance, and variable timing takes care of emission and engine temperature.

• Camshaft of engines with variable lift have two sets of lobes. One is high lift lobes that allow the valves to open more and allow more air to come into and out of the combustion chamber.

• The lower lobes do not open as much as the higher lobes, resulting in less passage of air. When a car is driven normally, the low-lift camshaft is engaged, and when the driving is faster, the high-lift camshaft is used to enhance the performance of the engine.

• i-VTec is an amalgamation of VTC and VTec. VTC(variable timing control) facilitates the advancing and closing of the camshaft for controlling the valve overlap. Under the VTec technology, the exhaust valves opened only when the intake valves closed. The VTC allowed the angle of the camshaft lobes to change so the valves could overlap and open simultaneously.

• Thus, i-VTec has an additional advantage in that it provides timing control by adjusting the angle of the camshaft. Thus, it leads to maximum performance at low and high rpm.

• The i-Vtec engines further have 2 series of engines, as mentioned below.

Type of i-VTec Engines

• K Series- Honda K series engines are a four-cylinder stroke engine which was introduced in the year 2001. This series of engines do not use a traditional distributor-based ignition system but opts for a computer-controlled system. Some of the Honda i-VTec cars with K series engines are:

• Honda Civic 2.0 i-VTec

• Honda CR-V (2002-2006)

• Honda Accord EDM (2003-2006)

• Honda Civic Si

• Honda Accord LX/LX-P

• Honda CRV 2010-2014

• R Series-This series of i-VTec engines was launched in India in 2006. It comprises a modified SOHC VTEC system with one small and two large lobes. As opposed to the conventional VTEC systems, the R series engine works reversely, engaging at low to mid rpm. The Honda Civic 2006-2011 was launched in India, while many other models were released in worldwide markets.

Let us tell you the advantages of the i-VTec engines, so if you are planning to buy a Honda i-VTec car, it can help you make a decision.

Advantages of i-VTec Engines

• Allows camshaft angle to be changed

• Gives more control over the overlapping valves

• It is a powerful and efficient engine

• Ensures optimal timing of the valves for the best power

• Excellent fuel economy

• Results in cleaner emissions

• High output and less weight at various rpm

• Maximises engine potential

Honda i-VTec Cars in India

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The Honda i-VTec engines are a revolution in the automobile industry, which changed the way fuel efficiency was once viewed. It enhanced the engine performance like never before and has since been around. i-VTec price for Honda City starts from ₹11.71 lakhs and goes up to ₹ 16.19 lakhs for the top model.

If a Honda i-Vtec car is what you want, this article sums up all its details for you. We hope you get all the desired information from this write-up!

What is the mileage of the Honda i-VTEC petrol engine?

The average mileage offered by i-VTec cars is between 16-18 kmpl. This mileage is certified by ARAI.

What Honda cars in India are equipped with Honda i-VTEC petrol engines?

Most of the cars introduced by Honda recently are equipped with i-VTec engines. These cars include the Honda City, Honda Jazz, Honda Amaze, and Honda WR-V.

What is the difference between VTEC and i-VTEC?

Both VTec and i-VTec are developed by Honda. VTec adjusts the valve timing, lift and duration of the engine’s intake and exhaust. i-VTec is made on the same lines as VTec except that it adds variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust valves to boost the engine performance.

Disclaimer: All the prices and other information listed above pertain to a specific city and vehicle model. Since this information is subject to change, it is advisable to check the latest information before purchasing a vehicle or an insurance policy.