Hybrid Honda Accord
midnightcowboy
Member Posts: 1,978
in Honda
I could not find any discussion about the upcoming Hybrid Honda Accord
Quoted from Janaury 07, 2004 article: http://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/2004_january/07/1618.asp
Later this year, although not in all markets, Honda will introduce its third petrol/electric hybrid model, following on from the Insight and the Civic IMA. Using the same Integrated Motor Assist technology as the Civic, the US-market Accord V6 will feature not only a hybrid powertrain but also Variable Cylinder Management, which cuts out one bank of cylinders in light-load conditions.
Quoted from Janaury 07, 2004 article: http://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/2004_january/07/1618.asp
Later this year, although not in all markets, Honda will introduce its third petrol/electric hybrid model, following on from the Insight and the Civic IMA. Using the same Integrated Motor Assist technology as the Civic, the US-market Accord V6 will feature not only a hybrid powertrain but also Variable Cylinder Management, which cuts out one bank of cylinders in light-load conditions.
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However, DoD is a step in the right direction. No battery to worry about, and it won't need to switch between electric and engine. (I've heard it's quite noticeable in the Prius when the real engine kicks in.) Of course if Honda/Toyota can make the power transfer smoother, as well as significantly lower the cost of the battery....
I considered hybrids before buying my Accord, but I wasn't comfortable buying a compact car (Hybrid Civic or Prius) for safety reasons. I know that the Civic has good safety ratings for its class, but I'm too paranoid to be in such a small car. I'm therefore very interested in a possible Accord hybrid, since it's a bit larger.
My interest doesn't really have much to do with potential gas savings. It's more just because it seems like a good environmental initiative to support.
Additionally, if the story unfolds as planned, the hybrid Accord will have a significant performance increase over the current v6, likely due to the tremendous torque available in the electric motors. It should leap off the line dramatically, and also have the highway poise that the current v6 is lauded for.
"Honda has scotched rumors of a hybrid powertrain option for Accord, saying likely sales don't justify the expense." (Updated 1/27/04)
Has anyone else heard that Honda may scrap their plans for this??? Just curious...
http://www.hondacars.com/info/news/article.asp?ArticleID=20040105- 27129&Category=Accord
Here in Detroit, the Big 3's answer to everything is to give it more horsepower ["Hey, put a hemi in it, man!"]. Is it any wonder that we can't wean our country off foreign oil, and wouldn't every American rather give more of their hard earned dollars to the oil companies, rather than spend them on frivilous things such as food, clothing, housing, and their children?
To theo2709 I have to say that you must drive a Prius if you can find a dealer that has one to test drive. You'll probably find, as I did, that the switch from the electric motor to the gas engine is unnoticeable and amazingly quiet, smooth, and quick!
hmurphy, you should see the safety featurs in the 2004 Prius. ABS, stability control, full side curtain airbags, and more. This is now a mid-sized car; it's outgrown it's compact beginnings.
I think slawenda is right about the likely cost of the hybrid Accord. A person would have to keep it a long time to recoup the purchase price, but with the rising cost of gas [it just took a big jump this week in the metro Detroit area], that time is likely to come down.
Kudos to Toyota, but a hybrid Accord with leather and XM Satellite Radio is the working man's luxury car in my opinion!
It is only natural to calculate how many miles you will have to drive to make up the difference in cost for the hybrid vehicle. Of course this will depend on the mileage difference between the two vehicles and the price of gas. Correct me if I am wrong, but with the Civic this equates to somewhere around 60-75K at current gas prices. So the issue then becomes how long you plan on keeping the car (lease or buy) and the long term reliability of the electric components (a pretty big concern in my mind).
The Prius has the advantage of having no non-electric counter-part for comparison. It stands alone as the modern marvel of technology that it is AND it costs about the same as the Accord. Granted it is smaller, slower and is not available in a manual transmission (I understand this is not important to most but this is what swayed my decision in favor of the '03 Accord over Camry), but it makes up for this with its edgy styling and eco-coolness.
In order for a hybrid Accord to be successful, Honda must keep the cost down or gas prices will have to increase dramatically. Just my opinion.
It's difficult to imagine, but it seems like the way of the future.
I drive an '03 EX-L with nav and it sure feels like a 21st century car to me. None of the cars I owned in the 20th century had voice controlled navigation systems. What are you getting for 'a few grand more' other than unproven reliability of new technology after the warrantee expires?
Japan, as a case in point, is both natural resource-starved and oil-dependent. It is now a master of peaceful survival, pulling rather than pushing us towards the compelling products they create.
Some success elements in promoting hybrid vehicles are evident in the Japan carmakers, aren't they ? First, their domestic situation demands it, and they are therefore likely to do a better job. Second, distribution channels from Japan to the rest of the world are in place.
Hybrids, in effect, are being test-marketed here by Japan. There's no urgent reason (yet) why we should buy them.
But remember how Japan carmakers got big in the US ? The oil embargo, and all its street-level difficulties, drove people to the fuel-efficient Japanese cars.
Given this scenario, while many of us won't get a hybrid car soon, it's good to know someone out there's got the product when we need it.
http://www.theonion.com/4005/news1.html
If it had some of the new Acura TL's high-tech options, that would be killer, like the DVD-A and the Bluetooth.
The NAV would be a meh.
Domestic automaker don't need to spend big $$$ on R&D but improve Japanese outdated technology.
Also, in addition to increased initial cost, you should also consider what will happen if your hybrid breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Who, outside of a Honda dealer, is going to be able to fix it? One day, hybrid technology may be as common as changing spark plugs today, but that is far into the future.
> to have to be replaced. Not very green.
First, NiMH can be recycled. And we know it will be, since the Nickel inside is well worth salvaging afterward.
Second, the battery-pack is NOT likely to need replacing. Neither the Honda nor the Toyota designs cycle enough to equate to normal lifetime replacement. In fact, a Prius owner reached 209,000 miles with the original pack just fine (then he sold the car).
> if your hybrid breaks down in the middle of nowhere
Though you have a valid point, both Honda & Toyota make extremely reliable cars. So it is only a low risk, and even less if you don't travel to the middle of nowhere.
The question for you is: What will you do when gas climbs above $2 per gallon stays there? It will happen someday. And based on estimates, it will very likely occur within the lifetime of your next vehicle.
JOHN
The worst was the diesel Volkswagon Tuareg.
The reason GNC rates at the top is that the overall well-to-wheel emissions are lower.
JOHN
And, if I'm afraid to drive to the middle of nowhere in my new hybrid, what's the point?
Lastly, what will I do when gas hits $2 or $3 or $4 a gallon? Pay it. I am sorry to say I am old enough to remember pumping gas for 28 cents a gallon, and telling friends that I'd never pay a dollar a gallon!
Like everyone else, I hope that technology gives us a good alternative to the internal combustion engine, but these hybrids aren't it, at least not for midsize sedans (in my opinion, of course). However, steps are being made in the right direction, and hopefully in my lifetime, we'll get there.
> on it? Unless Toyota bought it back for PR purposes
Good guess, but not quite.
They bought it back for RESEARCH purposes. The data that battery-pack contained was quite valuable.
JOHN
Is that really the case and will the Accord Hybrid use the Civic Hybrid design?
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Johnny
ramped1 asked "...what will happen if your hybrid breaks down in the middle of nowhere". Actually, what would happen? If something goes wrong with the electric part of the motor, can the car still run on its "regular" gas engine? I assume the regular gas engine could be repaired as any normal gas engine could be.
Second:
Does anyone think the Hybrid Accord will have any addition features the other Accords don't have? For example, do you think they will try to differentiate the models with HID's, Bluetooth, bigger wheels, etc. Does the Civic hybrid have any features not available on other Civics?
Anything the current Prius has the Accord Hybrid will have because I think it's main drive will be to blow the Prius demand away by statisfying the main thing the Prius lacks, performance.
The other Accords should still be available and the price differential will make them still attractive to a slightly different audience.
Toyota is already on it's second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive and America's BIG 2 1/2 are making bigger V8s!!
Nissan is leasing the 2nd gen HSD from Toyota to put into their Altima in a couple of years, while Chevy is making a Series 4 3800 engine!!
Word is that Toyota will put the HSD technology into the Sequioia and Sienna and more cars soon. Heck, I'm soo excited for this new Accord!
Hmm, Chevy boasts that their 3500 V6 in the Malibu makes the most MPG in it's class. Interestingly, that engine is outdated, slightly rough on the edges, and makes -20 to 40HP below the imports. Now the 240HP Accord gets even more HP with Hybrid technology and better MPG to boot. Add that to one of the midsize segment's best interiors, Honda quality and reliability, and all that luxury and you've got an awesome car!
I currently have a 2003 LX that I love very much, but I just got a promotion and the allure of this Hybrid may just warrant an upgrade.
I know the new VUE has the Honda 3.5L v-6 that is tweaked down a bit...
I actually am very impressed with the Hybrid Honda... if it breaks down, it should be able to be repaired normally, the only problem would be the synergy drive where the dc motors couple with the transmission... I hear you will get the same(roughly) 3.0l engine but adding on the motors... 300HP would be great... hehe. guess ill just have to wait and see....
It is a bored out old 3.4 push rod motor.
THe 3.5 in the VUE is from honda and it is no tweaked down at all it is the same 250hp that you get in the MDX and the Pilot.
Honda has already said the Accord Hybrid will be powered by the existing 3.0L V6.
I believe they have also released initial power specs of 270bhp.
the Mexicans who drool over new cars for a spot in their lives in ten years, I probably wont be able to afford a 2005 Accord Hybrid for six or seven years. I hope Honda includes Auto Heat Control, CVT(I'll never drive another transmission) and power everything. I think the mileage will depend a lot on how you drive the Accord Hybrid. Personally, I like good acceleration for around town and entering highways and I like forty MPG on a long trip. This new car sounds like my wish come true.