Honda diesel delay

HONDA will not introduce a diesel-powered passenger vehicle to Australia before 2009.

This is when the company’s second-generation diesel engines come on stream.

Late last month Honda revealed plans for a line of diesel engines to be introduced globally within the next three years, boasting exhaust gas emissions that are as low as that of their contemporary petrol-powered counterparts.

With an eye to meeting stringent future emissions levels, Honda says it has devised a catalytic converter that "detoxifies" nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen by converting part of it into ammonia.

The 2.2-litre i-CTDi four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, Honda’s first ever diesel engine, will be the initial recipient of this new nitrogen-oxide catalytic converter technology.

It is a development of the unit launched in Europe during 2003.

The next i-CTDi engine will feature a more advanced lean-burn combustion control as a result of an optimised combustion chamber configuration, reduced fuel injection time thanks to a 2000-bar common rail injection system and improved exhaust-gas recirculation system.

With the upshot of cleaner engine exhaust and improved power delivery, Honda believes it has the right diesel engine to expand into markets beyond Europe – specifically into Australia and the United States.

Honda Australia has been evaluating an Accord Euro sedan fitted with the current-generation 2.2-litre i-CTDi powerplant.

This vehicle’s replacement, as well as a version of the third-generation CR-V and long-awaited Civic hatchback – are believed to be the most likely takers for the new diesel engine in Australia.

Other candidates will include the next Odyssey, also due out in 2009, as well as a version of the MD-X luxury SUV.

"We’ve decided to wait until the new-generation diesel becomes available," says Honda Australia public relations manager Mark Higgins.

"So don’t expect it before then."