The company has switched to a 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo powerplant for the new range-topping Civic Type R, and forced induction has long been viewed as an inevitability for the basic variants.
The 1.5-liter four-cylinder mill will become the new standard for the base models, while naturally-aspirated options are expected live on for higher trim levels, according to Automotive News.
“Downsized turbocharging will be the base, even for the Civic,” said Honda’s R&D head, Yoshiharu Yamamoto. “The power is very good.”
The executive promises the small engine will provide power figures on par with naturally-aspirated 2.0- and 2.4-liter engines. For reference, the 2.4-liter straight-four in the current Civic Si delivers 205 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque.
The Japanese automaker is preparing to invest $340 million in it Anna, Ohio, plant to build turbocharged engines, with an estimated annual volume of 200,000 units for the North American market.
The redesigned Civic is expected to arrive in the not-too-distant future, though Honda has not yet announced full details.
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