Honda Accord Hybrid
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This page is about this vehicle's hybrid model, see Honda Accord for main article and Honda Accord (USDM) for the North American model
| Honda Accord Hybrid | |
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| Manufacturer: | Honda |
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| Production: | 2005–present |
| Class: | Mid-size |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan |
| Related: | Honda Accord Honda Inspire |
| Similar: | Toyota Camry Hybrid |
The Honda Accord Hybrid is a Hybrid vehicle version of the North American Honda Accord. It became the company's third hybrid when the 2005 model was introduced in late 2004, following the Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid is priced US$3,000 higher than the EX V6 model Accord, and retains the same trim and feature levels (with the deletion of the power sunroof). Honda has positioned the Accord Hybrid at the top of its (non-Acura) lineup.
While this new vehicle shares the same displacement as the regular seventh generation Accord V6 powerplant, the engine in the Hybrid is derived from the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and can shut off 3 of the 6 cylinders under certain conditions for better fuel economy (a technology that Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)). The new engine features iVTEC technology and drives a new compact transmission. Power is up from 240 to 255 hp (179 to 190 kW) and torque rose from 212 to 232 ft·lbf (287 to 315 N·m). Fuel economy is around 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) city and 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) highway, equivalent to a 4 cylinder Honda Civic. The 2006 model has also been rated an AT-PZEV vehicle. AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) is an emissions standard created by the California Air Resources Board.
Honda puts the emphasis on the performance and targets the high-end buyers. Unlike traditional hybrid designs, the new Accord hybrid uses a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Together with the electric motor assist, the hybrid version is a much higher performance car than the regular Accord.
The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan is also 4 in (102 mm) longer than the 2005 Accord Sedan. The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan comes in four colors: Graphite Pearl, Desert Mist Metallic, Silver Frost Metallic, and Taffeta White. For 2006, the Accord Hybrid comes standard with Vehicle Stability Assist, and like the conventional US-spec Accord, received a minor exterior facelift.
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[edit] Awards
The Accord Hybrid won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Alternative Power award for 2005.
[edit] Aftermarket upgrades
Various upgrades for the Accord Hybrid are similar to those of other hybrid vehicles which include extra batteries, chargers and solar panels.
[edit] Extra batteries
The California Cars Initiative (CalCars) converts hybrids, adding larger batteries, and private companies EDrive Systems in the USA and Amberjac Projects in the UK announced plans to sell conversion kits in 2006. The most recent versions use a new, patented advanced safe-format Lithium Battery from Valence Technology (VLNC, NASDAQ) called Saphion. The energy density and far more efficient utilization of these batteries provide around 20x the available power of the standard NiMH battery pack but at only double the weight. Fuel economy (as demonstrated for several journalists) is improved to 100-160mpg in a Toyota Prius source article depending on driving conditions. City driving may be possible without using the ICE at all, eliminating the use of almost all liquid fuel in exchange for electrical energy.
[edit] Chargers
CalCars initiated efforts to promote the idea of plug-in hybrids to be built by automakers, and documented the emissions benefits of plug-in hybrids not only on California's clean power grid but also on the national (50% coal-fueled) power grid. This addition would be relatively ineffective without additional battery capacity or reprogramming to more completely discharge the batteries (which would be detrimental to their service life).
[edit] Solar panels
Solar panels provide additional energy to the batteries while the vehicle is in motion or otherwise away from the grid. Solar panels are also useful when the car is parked for extended periods of time in a sunny location if it doesn't have a charger or is not connected to a power outlet. Some drivers have claimed up to 10% mileage improvements with the addition of their solar panels, while final results are dependent on the size and efficiency of the solar panels as well as weather conditions. [1]
[edit] See also
- Honda Accord
- Honda Accord Tourer
- Honda Accord (USDM)
- Honda Accord (JDM)
- Honda Accord (European)
- List of hybrid vehicles
- Production hybrid vehicles
