Hi scenic,
- iVTEC has mechanical valve timing actuators mounted behind the valves cam lobes. K20A in Civic has dual i-VTEC whereas the rest are SOHC engines for the CRV, City and Accord 2.0. More advanced tech when compared to generation 1 VVTi.
- Dual VVTi has hydraulic valve timing actuators in knobs mounted on the pulley of intake & exhaust camshafts. Dual VVTi defeated Honda's iVTEC for the 1st time.
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I have just tested the Altis with 4 full size adults colleagues ranging from 5'5"-5'9" tall + the salesman with belly at around 5'5". Test unit available only the 2.0L. The 1.8E only for display. 1.6E not there at all. Now my review.
Price increased RM3k+ still acceptable for the new engines and gearbox. Vios & Camry facelift price increase are ridiculous since nothing more expensive added.
Engine:
The engines are tuned towards FC, having output/torque slightly higher than old VVTi engines (Check table below). Its output of 140hp@6200rpm with over rev technology is superb with CVT gearbox gives smooth revving. Torque being limited to 187Nm@3600rpm is big letdown. Wonder why can't they just leave it at 194Nm@4300rpm? Then no point buying the 2.0L if I can't harass Civic 2.0 owners, better stick to 1.8L. Pulling power is okay and 187Nm for today's 2.0L standard is considered low. Must be at least 190Nm above.
Performance & Handling:
Acceleration in the 10s range or better. While taking reading of its 0-100km/h, out of a sudden, an Iswara swerved onto my lane at far right wanted to overtake Wira in front without giving signal and yet struggling to overtake forcing me to brake and slow down. When comes to other colleagues' turn, it was closing lunch hour and the road filled with cars. 2 colleagues cancelled test drive.
Power is good but torque just normal. At 2000rpm (confirmed) can reach 80km/h, at 2400rpm get 90km/h then 2700rpm gets 100km/h, dunno at what gear because no indication. No lag but pulling power feel is just like driving normal 2.0L. Only acceleration is good.
Handling has improved over the old Altis. More stable cornering probably that is why the kerb weight has increased by more than 20kg (1.6L & 1.8L). Not much chance to try hard corner but at least get to do some normal cornering at 80km/h. Seems stable with the 2.0L.
Interior Space & NVH:
Interior width gone down, can no longer fit 3 full size adults behind comfortably. Need to squeeze a little, still better than B-segment cars. Door panels thicken because of stupid unnecessary round oval design. Headroom no change, still at 60mm b4 head touching roof.
Going through rough roads, humps and potholes very good, I give high score. Comfort level high if I don't put 3 persons behind. NVH very good overall, comfortable defeating many cars.
Practicality:
Not much electronic gadget, bad thing is EPS is compusory in 1.8E. I want hydraulic power steering. Turning circle improved from 10.6M down to 10m. 1.8 & 2.0 have 60:40 splitfold, very good.
In comparison Altis vs Civic vs Sylphy:
2.0
output : 147PS@6200rpm (descent enough with over-rev tech) vs Civic 2.0's 155PS@6500rpm
torque : 187Nm@3600rpm (HEY!! they limited the torque to 187Nm. Other countries get 194Nm@4000rpm)
vs Civic's 188Nm@4500rpm
kerb weight 1315kg (same as Civic 2.0)
Price : RM131k
>> What's the point having less torque? If I wanted super FC, I'll go for 1.8L already. The 2.0L should focus more on performance. If this is the case, I'll just buy Forte 2.0L/Lancer GT/EX (more space/power/torque) if wanted to save money for performance ride or spend few more K for the more luxury feel Sonata YF or even Camry.
1.8
output 140ps@6400rpm (over rev tech available, on par with Civic now at 140ps@6300rpm )
old Altis 136ps@6000rpm
torque 173Nm@4000rpm (good torque as it could reach 173nm at 4000rpm compared to Civic's 174Nm@4300rpm) /
old Altis 170ps@4200rpm
kerb weight 1270kg
Price RM112k-116k
My favourite Altis 1.8E, best practicality. I'll consider this 1. Stand chance to humiliate Civic. I think Altis 1.8 will pose dangerous threat to Sylphy 2.0 and even Civic 1.8.
1.6
120@6000 (old Altis 110ps@6000rpm) >> power is good, no over-rev available.
154@5200 (old Altis 146Nm@4400rpm) >> 154@5200 is sort of high compared to Forte 1.6's 154Nm@4300rpm. If at 4400rpm does it mean that the Altis has torque of around 148Nm range? Possibly just tuned slightly better than old Altis but have higher limiter.
kerb weight 1250kg >> drastic increased over old model at 1190kg.
Price RM105k >> still ok. Downside no split fold and high RPM for the torque, might not go for this due to many competitors such as Cruze, Forte and coming soon Avante, Verna RB, Focus, etc.