Honda L engine
The L-series is a compact inline-four engine created by Honda, introduced in 2001 with the Honda Fit. It has, and displacement variants, which utilize the names L12A, L13A and L15A. Depending on the region, these engines are sold throughout the world in the 5-door Honda Brio Fit/Jazz hatchback Honda Civic and the 4-door Fit Aria/City sedan. They can also be found in the Japanese-only Airwave wagon and Mobilio MPV.
Two different valvetrains are present on this engine series. The L12A, L13A and L15A use, or “intelligent Dual & Sequential Ignition”. i-DSI utilizes two spark plugs per cylinder which fire at different intervals during the combustion process to achieve a more complete burn of the gasoline. This process allows the engine to have more power while keeping fuel consumption low, thanks to the better gasoline utilization. Emissions are also reduced. The i-DSI engines have two to five valves per cylinder and a modest redline of only 6,000 rpm, but reach maximum torque at mid-range rpm, allowing for better performance without having to rev the engine at high speeds. The i-DSI is also known for not using Turbochargers in the performance category, as it uses a high compression, long stroke with a lightweight and compact engine.
The other valvetrain in use is the VTEC on one of the two varieties of the L15A. This engine is aimed more at performance than efficiency with a slightly higher redline with 4 valves per cylinder, which reaches peak torque at higher rpm. However, it still offers a good combination of both performance and fuel efficiency. Both the i-DSI and VTEC have relatively high compression ratios at 10.8:1 and 10.4:1, respectively.
Before April 2006, the L-series were exclusively available with a 5-speed manual transmission, continuously variable transmission. With the introduction of the Fit in Canada and the United States, an L-series engine was mated to a traditional automatic transmission with a torque converter for the first time. The L12A i-DSI is available exclusively in the European domestic market Jazz and is sold with only a 5-speed manual transmission.
As of 2010, the L15A7 is a class legal engine choice for SCCA sanctioned Formula F competition, joining the 1.6L Ford Kent engine.
In 2016 Honda introduced the L15B engine as part of their continuing global "Earth Dreams" strategy for lower emissions and higher fuel economy for a range of their cars, available with 6-speed manual and CVT transmissions with Earth Dreams Technology.
L12
L12A i-DSI
- Available exclusively in the European domestic market Jazz and available with only a 5-speed manual transmission.
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
- *Power: at 5,700 rpm
- *Torque: at 2,800 rpm
- *Variations: L12A1
- *SOHC 8 valves
- *8 spark plugs, 2 per cylinder
- Application:
- *Honda Jazz
- *Honda City
L12B1 i-VTEC
- SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.2:1
- *Power: at 6,200 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,900 rpm
- * emission: /km
- *RPMLock: 6,500 rpm
- *SpeedLock:
- *ECU: Bosch, Keihin
- Applications:
- *Honda Jazz
L12B3 i-VTEC
- SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.2:1
- *Power: at 6,000 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,800 rpm
- *SpeedLock:
- Applications:
- *Honda Brio
- *Honda Brio Amaze
- *Honda City
L12B4 i-VTEC
- SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.2:1
- *Power: at 6,000 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,800 rpm
- Applications:
- *Honda Brio Amaze
- *Honda Jazz
L13
L13A i-DSI
- Sold as a 1.3 in the Japanese Fit/Fit Aria. European Civic 1.4 i-DSI has a standard 6-speed manual with an available 6-speed automated manual I-SHIFT transmission.
- For 7th gen Civic, City, Fit & Jazz Models
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
- *Horsepower: at 5700 rpm
- *Torque: at 2800 rpm
- *Variations: L13A1, L13A7, L13A8
- For 8th gen Civic
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Horsepower:
- *Torque:
- *CO2 emission: /km
L13Z i-VTEC
- Available in the second generation Honda Fit, Honda Airwave in Japan, and the European Honda Civic.
- * SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- * Displacement:
- * Bore x Stroke:
- * Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
- * Horsepower: at 6,500 rpm
- * Torque: at 4,800 rpm
- * source
L13B i-VTEC
- DOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- Displacement:
- Bore x Stroke:
- Compression: 13.5:1
- Power: at 6,000 rpm
- Torque: at 5,000 rpm
- Top Speed:
- *Honda Fit
L13Z1 i-VTEC
- *SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
- *Power: at 6,000 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,300 rpm
- *Speed Limiter:
- Applications:
- *Honda Brio
- *Honda City
- *Honda Jazz
- *Honda Civic
L15A
L15A (i-VTEC / CNG)
This engine has been used since 2007 in Honda City CNG- SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.4:1
- *Power: at 6,600 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,800 rpm
- *CO2 emission: /km
- Honda City CNG
L15A2 i-DSI
- Offered in the Fit Aria and Partner in Japan.
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
- *Power: at 5,500 rpm
- *Torque: at 2,700 rpm
L15A1 VTEC
- Available in the Fit, Fit Aria, Airwave, Mobilio, and Mobilio Spike in Japan. Sold throughout the world with 5-speed manual or CVT options in the Fit/Jazz, Airwave and City. Canadian and US Fit models offered a 5-speed automatic instead of the CVT.
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.4:1
- *Power: at 5,800 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,000 rpm
L15A7
- SOHC 16 valve i-VTEC
- *Displacement:
- *Bore x Stroke:
- *Compression Ratio: 10.4:1
- *Power: at 6,600 rpm
- *Torque: at 4,300 rpm
- *CO2 emission: /km
- Honda Fit
- Honda Jazz
- Honda Freed
- Honda City
- Optional engine in any Sports Car Club of America Formula Ford 1600 chassis. As of this time, the engine is only legal for Formula F racing in the United States in series that use the Ford Kent engine. It is not legal in other markets using Formula F chassis where the Ford Kent engine is standard.
L15B & L15C
L15B (Earth Dreams + i-VTEC)
;Applications:| Engine | Application | Compression | Power | Torque |
| L15B | 2013-2019 Honda Fit | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
| L15B | 2014-2020 Honda Vezel | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
| L15B | 2016-present Honda Freed | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
| L15B | 2015-present Honda Shuttle | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
| L15B1 | 2013-2019 Honda Fit/Jazz | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
| L15B4 | 2014-2020 Honda HR-V | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
| L15BU | 2020-present Honda Fit/Jazz/Life | 11.5:1 | at 6600 rpm | at 4600 rpm |
L15B & L15C (Earth Dreams VTC/VTEC Turbo)
;Applications:| Engine | Application | Valve system | Compression | Boost pressure | Power | Torque | Redline |
| L15B7 | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Sedan/Coupe | VTC | 10.6:1 | at 6000 rpm | at 1700-5500 rpm | 6500 rpm | |
| L15B7 | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | at 6000 rpm | at 1700-5500 rpm | 6500 rpm | |
| L15B7 | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Sedan/Coupe Si | VTC | 10.3:1 | @ 5700 RPM | @ 2100-5000 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15B7 | 2022-present Honda Civic Sedan/Hatchback | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 5700 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15B8 | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Sedan/Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5500 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15B9 | 2016-present Acura CDX | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 1900-5500 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BA | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BA | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | CVT @ 6000 RPM | CVT @ 1700-5500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BA | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | 6MT @ 5500 RPM | 6MT @ 1900-5500 rpm | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BD | 2016-present Honda Avancier | VTC | 10.3:1 | @ 5600 RPM | @ 2000-5500 rpm | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BD | 2016-present Honda UR-V | VTC | 10.3:1 | @ 5600 RPM | at 2000-5500 rpm | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BE | 2017-2022 Honda CR-V | VTC | 10.3:1 | @ 5600 RPM | @ 2000-5500 RPM | ||
| L15BE | 2023-present Honda CR-V | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5000 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BE | 2018-2022 Honda Accord | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 1600-5000 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BE | 2023-present Honda Accord | VTEC | 10.6:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5000 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BF | 2015-2019 Honda Jade | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 1600-5000 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BG | 2018-present Honda Accord | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 2000-5500 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BG | 2022-present Honda Civic Sedan | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BJ | 2022-present Honda Civic Sedan | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BL | 2017-present Honda CR-V | VTC | 10.3:1 | @ 5600 RPM | @ 2000-5500 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BM | 2018-2020 Honda Accord | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 1500-3000 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BN | 2018-present Honda Accord | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 1600-5000 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BP | 2018-present Honda Vezel | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5500 RPM | ||
| L15BR | 2018-present Honda Inspire | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 5500 RPM | @ 1600-5000 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BS | 2018-present Honda XR-V | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5500 RPM | ||
| L15BT | 2017-present Honda Breeze | VTC | 10.3:1 | @ 5600 RPM | @ 2000-5500 RPM | 6500 rpm | |
| L15BY | 2018-2020 Honda HR-V | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 5000 RPM | CVT @ 1700-5500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BY | 2018-2020 Honda HR-V | VTC | 10.6:1 | @ 5000 RPM | 6MT @ 1900-5500 RPM | 6600 rpm | |
| L15BY | 2018-2023 Honda CR-V | VTC | 10.6:1 | CVT at 5600 rpm | CVT at 2000-5000 rpm | ||
| L15BY | 2018-2023 Honda CR-V | VTC | 10.6:1 | 6MT at 5600 rpm | 6MT at 1900-5000 rpm | ||
| L15C | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | CVT at 6000 rpm | CVT at 1700-5500 rpm | - | |
| L15C | 2016-2021 Honda Civic Hatchback | VTC | 10.6:1 | 6MT at 5500 rpm | 6MT at 1900-5000 rpm | - | |
| L15C | 2022-present Honda Civic Hatchback | VTEC | 10.3:1 | at 6000 rpm | at 1700-4500 rpm | - | |
| L15C1 | 2022-present Honda HR-V | VTEC | 10.3:1 | at 6000 rpm | at 1700-4500 rpm | - | |
| L15C2 | 2023-present Honda CR-V | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-5000 RPM | - | |
| L15C3 | 2022-present Honda HR-V | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | - | |
| L15C7 | 2022-present Honda Civic Sedan | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 5500-6000 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | - | |
| L15C8 | 2022-present Honda Civic Sedan | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | - | |
| L15C9 | 2022-present Honda Integra | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1700-4500 RPM | - | |
| L15CA | 2022-present Honda Civic Si 2023-present Acura Integra | VTEC | 10.3:1 | @ 6000 RPM | @ 1800-5000 RPM | - |
;Additional notes:
- Turbocharged L15B/L15C engines that feature VTC system have Variable Timing Control on both the intake and exhaust side. It was advertised and badged as VTEC Turbo in Australia and some Asian markets, despite not featuring an actual Variable Valve Lift system like conventional VTEC engines.
- Turbocharged L15B/L15C engines that feature VTEC system come with an addition of Variable Valve lift, but unlike Naturally aspirated engine VTEC. It exists on the exhaust cam side only
- L15BG and L15C2 engine is flex fuel capable up to E85
- L15BJ engine is a downtuned version of the L15BG engine.