The 2.0-liter Honda K20C turbo engine (Earth Dreams VTEC Turbo) has been produced since 2015. It debuted in the Civic Type R FK2 and also powers the Accord 2.0T, the Acura RDX and TLX, the Chinese Avancier and the Acura Integra Type S.
It is an aluminum DOHC four with direct injection, a single turbocharger, a timing chain and variable timing on both camshafts; the VTEC lift mechanism works only on the exhaust valves. In the K20C1 for the Type R the crankshaft is offset from the cylinder axis by 8 mm, and the engine delivers 306-320 hp and 400-420 Nm. Civilian versions K20C3-K20C7 make 252-272 hp. The naturally aspirated K20C2 and K20C9 for the North American Civic share the name and dimensions but are a separate engine with 150-158 hp.
K-series family: K20A, K23A, K20C, K24Z, K24A, K24W.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2015 |
| Displacement, cc | 1996 |
| Fuel system | direct injection |
| Power output, hp | 252 – 320 |
| Torque output, Nm | 370 – 420 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 86 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 85.9 |
| Compression ratio | 9.8 |
| Features | DOHC |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | VTC + VTEC |
| Turbocharging | yes |
| Recommended engine oil | 0W-20 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.4 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Honda Accord 2020) — city — highway — combined |
10.7 7.3 9.0 |
| Weight, kg | 135 |
The engine was installed on:
- Honda Civic 9 (FK2) in 2015 – 2017 (Type R), Civic 10 (FC) in 2015 – 2021 (K20C2, North America), Civic 10 (FK8) in 2017 – 2021 (Type R), Civic 11 (FE) since 2021 (K20C2, K20C9, North America), Civic 11 (FL5) since 2022 (Type R);
- Honda Accord 10 (CV) in 2017 – 2022 (2.0T);
- Honda Avancier 2 (TG) since 2016 (China);
- Acura RDX 3 (TC1) since 2018;
- Acura TLX 2 (UB5) in 2020 – 2025;
- Acura Integra 5 (DE) since 2023 (Type S).
Disadvantages of the Honda K20C engine
- Like other direct-injection engines, it builds up carbon deposits on the intake valves;
- Type R versions tend to overheat during prolonged track use;
- The turbocharger and the timing chain are sensitive to oil quality and change intervals.
