HONDA RELEASES THE iGX440 NEXT-GENERATION GENERAL PURPOSE ENGINE WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL TECHNOLOGY - A WORLD FIRST
April 20, 2005 - Honda Motor Co. Ltd. announce the release of the iGX440 nextgeneration general purpose engine (max. output: 15hp; displacement: 438cm³), the world’s first single-cylinder general purpose engine to feature electronic engine speed control technology. The new engine will be available to power product manufactures from July.
The iGX440 employs Honda’s newly developed world-leading(1) electronic engine speed control technology (STR(3) GOVERNOR(2)) The electronic governor system allows the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to continuously monitor throttle opening and engine speed, electronically regulating the throttle opening to maintain a constant engine speed, even under changing engine load conditions. This intelligent control technology permits selection of the appropriate engine speed characteristics and the setting of optimum maximum and idling speeds for power products fitted with the iGX440. The power product’s ECU can also communicate with the engine’s ECU and control its speed, making the power product easier to operate.
In addition, an auto fuel valve(4) and auto choke(5) eliminate the need for the operator to open and close the fuel valve or adjust the choke, for a significant improvement in ease of operation.
The iGX440 also boasts environmental performance among the best in the world, achieving emissions levels approximately 30% lower(1) than those stipulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase 2 emission standards and the California Air Resources Board Tier II emissions standards—the most stringent in the world. Fuel economy has been improved over engines of the same class by approximately 15%(6), and noise reduced by approximately 4dB(A)(7).
In the future, Honda intends to expand its line-up of iGX-series engines employing this intelligent technology, to set a new standard in next-generation power product engines.
