Tokyo, April 15, 1997 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. introduced today its GC160/135 and GCV160/135 families of compact, multi-purpose 4 stroke OHC engines. These engines combine class-leading lightweight construction, low operation noise, clean exhaust emissions, and overall economy at world-competitive prices. The GCV160 will be made available for sale at all Honda power product dealers nationwide on July 1, followed by the GC160 on August 1. The remaining GC/GCV135 engines will make their appearance on the market two months later on October 1. This GC/GCV engine series was developed to enter the 12 million unit mostly-for-home-use small, lightweight tools presently dominated by vertical type engines equipped with side valve combustion chambers. This engine series is composed of two vertical-type engines (GCV160/135) and two horizontal, multi-purpose versions (GC160/135) to constitute a family of four engines.
To the same kind of performance that has earned the air-cooled, OHV, GX engine series the approval of many professional users, this new engine series adds class-leading lightweight construction, quiet operation, easy start-up, outstanding fuel economy and low emission levels (passing the stringent CARB/EPA requirements) at very competitive prices. Air compressor complete
This engine series boasts a number of proprietary world first technologies with its OHC construction featuring an internal timing belt, and its "Uni-block cylinder" structure. These human-oriented, environment friendly engines were designed to power lawn mowers and other home-use tools.
The main characteristics of this new engine series are:
Pump complete Although this four-model strong GC/GCV engine series will only gradually appear on the market, plans for these four engines in 1998 and beyond call for combined yearly sales of 1 million units on a world-wide basis (on-board units included).