Each new gas-electric hybrid model leapfrogs previous ones in refinement, power, familiarity. Predictably, then, Honda's 2005 Accord hybrid is the best so far, by far. The Accord hybrid, not on sale until December though gas-power '05 Accords are already at dealers, can claim several firsts or bests. It has the biggest gas engine — a 3-liter V-6 — yet mated to an electric motor to create a hybrid. It's the first hybrid more powerful than the gas-engine equivalent: 255 horsepower vs. the gas V-6's 240 hp. It's the first hybrid that shuts down half the engine's cylinders under light load to save even more gas. And it's the first that drives so conventionally that you honestly wouldn't know if somebody didn't tell you, or you didn't spot the small "hybrid" badges. One reason the Accord hybrid has such an easy familiarity is that it uses a conventional automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Toyota and Ford favor for hybrids. The normal feel of the Honda gearbox is a welcome respite from the rev-happy CVTs. The Accord hybrid's only significant drawback is price, about $3,400 more than the similar gasoline model, which is more or less typical of hybrid pricing. Honda says the Accord hybrid will be about $30,000, offered only as a high-end EX model, luxed up with leather and such. Honda's hybrid system — IMA, for integrated motor assist — always uses the gas engine, then kicks in the electric motor for more power when needed. Toyota and Ford do the opposite, relying on the electric motor as long as possible, then starting the gas engine when needed. Honda's IMA hybrids typically get better fuel economy on the highway, as conventional gas engines do. Toyota and Ford systems are better in town. Neither type needs to be plugged in. The batteries are recharged during braking and, if necessary, via the gas engine. Both systems shut off the gas engine at stoplights and other long pauses to save more fuel. Slightly twitchy steering is a flaw that a sensitive driver might notice. It won't stay centered as you'd like and seems overboosted just off-center. Thus, the hybrid starts drifting one way, you turn the wheel the other, the car over-responds and you have to turn the wheel back. "I agree it feels a little weak on-center," says chief engineer Tetsurou Hamada. Partly that's due to electric power steering, which feels different than normal power steering. Electric power steering, however, uses no engine power, so no fuel. A normal hydraulic power-steering pump is driven by the engine, creating drag and consuming fuel. Accord hybrid also has wider tires than the gas-power model. Wider tires have more traction, which can emphasize steering-wheel movements. The hybrid is 117 pounds heavier than the gas model, and Honda thinks that dictates wider tires to avoid handling and braking compromises.
Other minor gripes:
• The gearshift lever moves too easily into "D3" instead of the regular drive gear. D3 enhances performance but uses more fuel.
• Expected features are lacking. For the price, the car ought to have auto on/off headlights. All four power windows, not just the driver's, should go up or down with a single touch. The inside rearview mirror ought to dim automatically when hit by headlights.
Does the Accord with IMA work? Surely, and well. The system never is intrusive. Its extra power is especially noteworthy in full-throttle scoots from 30 to 50 mph, useful in suburban driving. Honda says the hybrid accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, half a second more quickly than the V-6 gas model. The shift between six cylinders and three is usually undetectable. A dashboard light illuminates when the engine's getting more than 25 mpg, and that's usually when it's on three cylinders. Accord hybrid is rated 30 mpg in town, 37 on the highway. The V-6 gas Accord is 21/30. A four-cylinder gas-power Civic is rated 31/38. The trip computer in the hybrid test car, driven with no thought of maximizing fuel economy, showed a best of 33 mpg. That was a 25-mile stretch on back roads near here. Slow, winding two-lane roads registered 31.9 mpg. Hilly interstate, with the cruise control at 70 mph, registered 26 mpg. A V-6 gas Accord, tested under typical but different circumstances, preventing apples-apples comparison, registered 18.2 mpg in suburban driving, 30 mpg during a short highway run at 65 mph. The best you can say from all that is that the hybrid uses less fuel, but — typical of hybrids — not enough less to financially justify the purchase. In fact, it would take you more than a decade to save enough on fuel to repay that $3,400 price premium vs. a gas Accord, assuming today's gas prices, 12,000 miles a year and fuel economy as good as the ratings. Honda agrees it's a no-win viewed strictly that way, which is why the Accord hybrid also will be sold as the highest-power, top-of-the-line Accord, and marketed as the one to drive if you really care. The only factory option available on the Accord hybrid is a $2,000 navigation system, same as on the gas-power cars. It's wretched. But that's a detour. The main route is the hybrid powertrain. It's as close to terrific as anybody's yet come, and it's embedded in a well-executed, nice-driving sedan that's already very popular. Honda seems silly planning just 20,000 Accord hybrids a year.
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American Honda will debut the all-new Accord Hybrid, the world's first V-6-powered hybrid vehicle and Honda's third hybrid model, at dealerships nationwide on December 3, 2004. The all-new Accord Hybrid utilizes the third-generation of Honda's advanced Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) full hybrid system in combination with new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder deactivation technology to deliver the world's best V-6 fuel efficiency - on par with a 4-cylinder, compact class Civic - along with highly responsive and powerful V-6 performance. With the introduction of the Accord Hybrid, Honda now becomes the first company in the world to offer three distinct hybrid models including the world's first V-6 hybrid.
"The Accord Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle that combines superb fuel economy with truly exhilarating performance," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda. "By applying hybrid technology to two of America's most popular vehicles, first the Civic and now the Accord, we are taking hybrids even further into the mainstream."
The Accord Hybrid achieves an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 30mpg in the city and 37mpg on the highway, an increase of 43 percent over the current Accord V-6 in city driving and 23 percent in highway driving. In addition, the Accord Hybrid delivers 255 horsepower (versus 240hp for the Accord V-6 Sedan) with an exceptionally broad and flat torque curve for outstanding power and driving performance.
Acceleration performance from 0-60 miles per hour and from 50-70mph is reduced by one half second compared with the already powerful and sporty Accord V-6 Sedan.
The new Accord Hybrid also comes equipped with a high level of premium features and equipment including a leather interior, dual zone automatic hybrid climate control, 8-way power driver's seat, XM Satellite radio and 6-disc CD changer. In keeping with Honda's industry-leading 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, all Accord Hybrids also come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features including driver and front passenger side airbags, first and second row side curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS). An exclusive rear deck lid spoiler and specially designed alloy wheels contribute to the Accord Hybrid's improved aerodynamic performance.
The Accord Hybrid's instrument panel incorporates an exclusive meter display that shows key operating indicators of the IMA system, including the state of the IMA battery charge, the level of IMA motor assist or charge, and a light to indicate Idle Stop mode. There is also an "ECO" light to indicate that the vehicle is achieving a high level of fuel economy and the VCM is operating in 3-cylinder mode.
To further improve overall fuel efficiency and maintain precise and responsive handling, the Accord Hybrid utilizes a number of exclusive weight saving features including a lightweight aluminum hood and bumper beams (front and rear), along with a magnesium engine head cover and dual-stage intake manifold. Other fuel saving features include an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system - like the one used on the high-performance S2000 sports car - and a new more efficient dual scroll"hybrid" air conditioning compressor.
Third Generation IMA System and i-VTEC with VCM
Honda's third generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system is improved in virtually every area including increased motor output, improved battery performance and greater total system efficiency. Compared to the Civic Hybrid, IMA motor torque output is improved by 26 percent during startup and is more than doubled during driving to 100 lb.-ft. from 46 lb.-ft. Also, battery output density increases by 45 percent while battery assist power increases by 20 percent. Regenerative braking efficiency is up 11 percent.
The Accord Hybrid's 3.0-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine has the same 3.0-liter displacement as the regular Accord V-6, but employs a number of unique features including a dual-stage intake manifold and a high-performance lock-up torque converter. A new, more compact 5-speed automatic transmission with an electric oil pump is designed to provide smooth start-up from Idle Stop, and helps allow for packaging of the engine, IMA motor, engine torque converter and automatic transmission. Adding to overall efficiency is a "hybrid" air conditioning compressor that runs on both the gasoline engine and the IMA battery and provides for good air conditioning performance even when the engine is in Idle Stop mode.
IMA, VCM and Idle Stop Operation
The IMA system's 12-kilowatt, high-output, electric motor contributes more than 100 lb.-ft. of torque to the Accord Hybrid's 3.0-liter V-6 engine during hard acceleration and recaptures kinetic energy generated during deceleration and braking for storage in the IMA system's advanced nickel-metal hydride battery pack. When cruising at steady speeds where less engine power is required, the VCM system deactivates the V-6 engine's rear bank of cylinders, closing both the intake and exhaust valves for reduced fuel consumption.
Under light acceleration from a cruising state, the IMA motor can provide power assistance to the engine in three-cylinder mode. When coming to a stop, the IMA system shuts off the vehicle's engine at speeds below 10mph to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. At the moment the driver releases the brake pedal, the IMA motor instantaneously restarts the gasoline engine.
Honda Hybrid Leadership
Honda has long been at the leading edge of new automotive technologies, especially in the area of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. With the introduction of the Insight in December 1999, Honda became the first company to sell a hybrid vehicle in the U.S. With an aluminum body, ultra-efficient IMA powertrain and world-class aerodynamics, the Insight has held the title of America's most fuel-efficient car for each of the past five model years (2000-2004). In March 2002, Honda applied its hybrid technology to the Civic, America's best-selling compact car. The Civic Hybrid accounted for half of all new hybrid vehicle registrations in calendar year 2003 and took two of the top five spots on the EPA's model year 2004 fuel economy rankings. Sales of the Civic Hybrid are up 16 percent to 17,805 units through the end of August this year.
Honda Accord History
Since its introduction as a compact hatchback car in 1976, the Honda Accord has earned widespread acclaim as a leader in smart design, superb quality and world-class efficiency. In its 28-year history, the Accord has constantly re-invented itself, going from the original compact hatchback to today's mid-sized sedan and coupe. The seventh-generation Accord, released in 2003, once again raised the bar for performance, safety and value in its class with a highly efficient and powerful 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower VTEC V-6 engine, standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) and standard features such as tilt-telescoping steering, air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and an AM/FM/CD stereo. In addition, the seventh-generation Accord was one of the first mid-sized sedans to bring luxury features such as a voice-activated navigation system, XM satellite radio and side curtain airbags to the premium mid-size segment.
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