The eighties has been a good transition point for many, when the cult of American Top 40 went global. One of the hallmarks of this era is the birth of consciousness on how we as consumers kill the environment from the noxious gases produced by our hair sprays as well as our vehicles. I can still remember being taught in grade school about how humans and technology are the primary source of pollution and how technology cannot on its own get by without its by product. Presently, we can only look back and cringe at the time we cared more about how big our hairs are than if what we are doing is hurting the environment or not.
Lucky for us, in the past few years, car manufacturers have taken the path of being conscious of their environment as well. As more and more people exhibit interest in preserving the earth, a demand for companies supporting Sustainable Development also increases. Among the car manufacturing giants, Japanese car maker Honda blazes the trail with new innovations that does not compromise being nature friendly. So far, the company has introduced models that are equipped with earth friendly technology meeting EURO 4 emission regulations.
Two of the more popular “green” engines launched by Honda are the i-DSI engine and the i-VTEC engine.
The i-DSI Engine
The name i-DSI stands for Intelligent- Dual and Sequential Ignition. This Honda engine has garnered a “Low Emission Excellence” certificate from the Ministry of Transportation in Japan. The i-DSI is known and liked by many for its lightweight, compact high performance engine that is packed with a lot of horses and ample torque regardless of the RPM level. The efficient combustion of this engine at any rpm translates to cleaner exhaust gas emissions.
The i-VTEC Engine
Taking its name from its ability to change valve and timing on its intake and exhaust sides, the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) engine is praised by many not only for performance but because of being a pioneer among other valve mechanisms. The i-VTEC engine can be found in Honda models like the Civic (for its 1.8 SOHC and 2.0 DOHC models), the Accord (for its 2.4 and 3.0 V6 models) and the CRV. This engine boasts of fuel efficiency while still delivering optimum performance, burning less fuel while producing less pollutants. When a lot of enthusiasts were thinking that there is no way the VTEC can get any better, Honda has produced its more intelligent twin with the i-VTEC, producing a more earth friendly and a more globally compliant system.
I feel that as more car manufacturers jump to the wagon of caring for our mother earth, we are given not only a good choice of what vehicles to buy but a chance to work for a worthwhile cause also. Indeed, technology must be harnessed as a means of improving function without compromising the ecosystem. The technology that blends seamlessly to ones lifestyle without posing any threat to the environment is definitely a vision worth toiling for.
