For 2012, the 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC® inline four-cylinder engine remains as the standard engine. The engine offers good acceleration while generating excellent fuel efficiency. The all-aluminum I-4 engine produces 201 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque (6MT), and incorporates Acura's i-VTEC® "intelligent" valve control system that features Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) combined with Variable Timing Control™ (VTC™). Though peak horsepower is virtually unchanged versus the previous generation 2.4L engine, peak torque output has risen by 8 lb-ft. In addition, the engine's torque curve has fattened considerably. Horsepower, for example, is up five percent at 4,400 rpm. The result is stronger throttle response and better acceleration just about everywhere in the engine's operating range. To achieve these power gains, the engine has a higher compression ratio, different valve timing, and intake and exhaust flow improvements. An aluminum and resin composite intake manifold reduces weight over the previous I-4's aluminum design, while better insulating the engine's incoming airflow from under-hood heat.

The use of numerous friction reducing technologies (applied to both the 2.4L I-4 and the 3.5L V-6 engines) help reduce internal operation friction which helps deliver improved efficiency.

Both the 4- and 6-cylinder engines make use of a plateau honing technique for the cylinder bores that generates a smoother surface. As a result, the piston rings achieve more consistent contact with the cylinder walls which generates improved ring-to-bore sealing along with reduced overall friction.

With the 2.4L I-4, the pistons make use of a low-tension piston ring that reduces operating friction while the 3.5L V-6 uses a redesigned ion-plated piston ring design. In addition, the outer skirts of both the 4- and 6-cylinder pistons now feature a molybdenum coating applied in a unique dot-pattern application. The result is reduced overall friction as the pistons move within the cylinder bores.

Read more: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/ar...ura&id=6212-en

Here is a picture of the 2011 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC® inline four-cylinder engine to get an idea of how the powertrain may look. This engine is from a sport-wagon.

 

yay for less friction. Less friction may be good, as long as they do NOT just burn oil past the rings. Like ford mustang engines did back in the day haha.