Honda shows off its next-generation diesel

HONDA claims to have developed a new-generation diesel engine that reduces exhaust gas emissions to a level equal to a petrol engine.

Due in production within three years, the 2.2 i-CTDi engine uses a "revolutionary" catalytic converter that enables a reduction in NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions sufficient to meet stringent US EPA Tier II Bin 5 emissions requirements.

The Japanese manufacturer this week also unveiled an "Advanced VTEC" engine, a new fuel cell vehicle and a "Flexible Fuel Vehicle" (FFV) capable of running on ethanol.

"Just as we paved the way for cleaner gasoline engines, we will take the leadership in the progress of diesel engines," Honda chief executive Takeo Fukui told a news conference at the car-maker's research and development centre north of Tokyo.

Mr Fukui said Honda would be "open to considering" the licensing of its new diesel technology once it was perfected.