Honda's emissions 'holy grail'

Honda insiders are describing the next generation of its diesel i-DTEC engine as the 'holy grail' because of its potential for low carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

The third generation of the engine is currently under development and is set to go on sale in America in the next two to three years, before filtering into European and other world markets soon afterwards.

Company bosses are reported to be already excited by potential emissions savings made possible by innovative catalytic converter technology.

The new technology detoxifies harmful NOx particulates to low levels, while refinement of combustion processes means the new diesel should have lower carbon dioxide emissions.