URBAN company car drivers keen to do their bit for cleaner city air will be cheered by news that Honda has announced two small super efficiency petrol turbo engines for its new Civic.

Almost in response to moves away from ‘dirty’ diesels in urban environments, the 10^th generation Swindon-built five-door Civic, set to launch early 2017, will offer 1-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engines as part of its powertrain line-up.

The all-new engines will be part of Honda’s growing Earth Dreams Technology range and promises a combination of dynamic performance, class-leading output and fuel economy. The first new VTEC Turbo engine, a 2-litre, was launched this year in the current Civic Type R, capable of 310ps and a 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

Based on a new engine structure and employing newly developed turbo systems, the new engines feature variable valve motion technology to reduce friction and achieve class-leading output and environmental performance.

Turbochargers used will have low inertia to improve response and, with direct injection technology, claims to achieve a balance between high output and torque better than those of conventional naturally-aspirated engines.

Honda has confirmed investment of £194M in new production technologies and processes to prepare for the new model.

Philip Crossman, managing director at Honda UK, said: “With the launch of these two new smaller turbo-charged engines, we are responding to the market demand and the rising trend for increased fuel efficiency without compromising on power.