VTEC made its debut in the 1989 Honda Integra XSi, though it would soon be a common feature on pretty much every one of its models. It introduced a new era of high-output small-displacement engines.

Ever heard of VTEC? Dive into Honda's iconic engine technology that delivers a "kick" of power, and discover why it's become legendary for performance enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.

For any car enthusiast coming of age in the 1990s, Honda's VTEC was a thing of lore. Launched in the U.S. on the V-6 powering the world-beating 1991 Acura NSX sports car, the system employs bonus ...