Honda's next hybrid is almost here
By Brian Chee
|
August 10, 2004
Page 1: Intro
Like teeth on a lion, hybrids and Honda go together. Or maybe it’s the whole fuel efficiency thing – imports, the Japanese in particular, just seem to do it better than domestic automakers.
That may well be true. But not all the time. Unfortunately for Ford, GM and the rest, perception is reality -- and the reality of the situation is that imports are making the largest gains when it comes to hybrid vehicles and the gas-sipping mojo these cars provide. It's simple: more cars with a leaf embossed onto the nameplate are Toyotas and Hondas, a sign that the “hybrid war” is quickly turning into an exclusive, two-person street fight. If so, Honda may have just scored a left hook to Toyota’s chin with the new V6 Honda Accord hybrid. While Toyota delays the launch of its Lexus RX hybrid SUV, Honda now has its hybrid technology available in three vehicles: the Insight, the Civic, and, due December 3 at dealerships nationwide, the Accord. According to Honda, the hybrid Accord will deliver more power and torque than the existing Accord, with the fuel economy of the four-cylinder Civic. It’s mean, green and will likely cost a slightly large hill of beans more than the current Accord: the street says there’s a premium price of $5,000.
Page 2: PremiumHerein lies the dilemma. If the vehicles you sell are already efficient, does anyone want to pay a premium for even more efficiency?
They do in California. A new law recently enacted by the Governor to allow single passenger hybrids into car pool lanes is great, but here’s the rub: the new law specifies that said hybrids must be rated at 45 mpg or greater, and the Hybrid Accord comes in at around 37 mpg (30 mpg city driving) on the highway, eight bitter miles short of making that long, hot afternoon commute a little less painful. To top it off, sales figures for the Civic hybrid indicate that people aren’t exactly thrilled about an even-more efficient Honda, though August sales figures show solid gains.
Go figure. You give the people what they want, and then all of a sudden they choose the Prius. Honda’s hope is that this will change with the addition of performance – they claim a half-second better performance getting to 60 mph -- and a better all-around system for fuel efficiency. That’s why the technology costs more, of course, and it seems that Honda is bent on making that technology worth every penny. In addition to the Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, Honda engineers have also included a Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which deactivates the rear bank of cylinders as needed – a smart engine that uses only the amount of power needed to get the job done.
Page 3: IMA
The IMA system uses a high-output electric motor/generator to provide for more efficient engine operation by capturing electrical energy during braking or deceleration and using that energy to help power the vehicle. Improvements to Honda’s hybrid system include 11 percent more energy captured from braking, 26 percent more torque at start, and a 20 percent expansion of battery power assist. That boost in power and storage is, among other things, used for air conditioning – the Accord features a hybrid ac that provides cool air no matter what mode you’re in, or if you’re in motion or at a stop. All told, it seems that the IMA system in the Accord is more powerful and capable than the non-hybrid Accord, adding more than 100 lb. ft of torque and much better fuel mileage. The system also features the ability to shut off the engine during vehicle stops for further efficiency gains. The resulting savings in fuel consumption, along with VCM cylinder deactivation, provides for fuel economy comparable to a compact-class Civic sedan powered by a four-cylinder engine.
Changes to the exterior of the Accord include slight exterior modifications, including the front grille design, a new taillight appearance and special hybrid badging.
Page 4: FAQs
Are there any other hybrids available today? Yes, Honda has a Civic hybrid, and the Insight, which is a two-seat vehicle designed for maximum fuel efficiency. Toyota sells the Prius, and Ford has just released the Escape hybrid.
When will the Honda Accord Hybrid be available?
Honda Accord Hybrids should start arriving in early December, with a launch date of December 3, 2004.
What makes the hybrid version better than the traditional Accord?
According to Honda, the hybrid powertrain will improve performance and fuel efficiency – basically, a V6 performance standard with a four-cylinder gas bill.
