Honda Accord Hybrid

Infobox Automobile


name=Honda Accord Hybrid
manufacturer=Honda
production=2005–2007
successor=Honda FCX Clarity
Honda Accord Diesel
class=Mid-size
body_style=4-door sedan
layout=FF layout
related=Honda Accord
Honda Inspire
assembly=Sayama, Japan
Marysville, Ohio
engine=3.0L V6
transmission=5-speed automatic
wheelbase=Auto in|107.9|0
length=2005: Auto in|189.5|0
2006-07: Auto in|191.1|0
width=2005: Auto in|71.4|0
2006-07: Auto in|71.7|0
height=2005: Auto in|57.0|0
2006-07: Auto in|57.2|0The Honda Accord Hybrid was a Hybrid vehicle version of the North American Honda Accord, offered in model years 2005 through 2007. It was 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 was priced US$3,000 higher than the "EX V6" model Accord, and retained substantially the same trim and feature levels (although the 2005 model did not include the power sunroof). Honda positioned the Accord Hybrid at the top of its (non-Acura) lineup.

While this new vehicle shared the same displacement as the regular seventh generation Accord V6 powerplant, the engine in the Hybrid was derived from the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and has the ability to 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, developed to allow the inclusion of the electric motor sandwiched between the transversely-mounted engine and transmission. Power of the gas engine 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 was originally estimated at convert|29|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on city and convert|37|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on highway, but was later changed to convert|25|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on city, convert|34|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on highway, after Honda's addition of standard sunroof and spare tire (not included on the 2005 model) bumped the car to a higher weight class for EPA mileage testing. 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 put the emphasis on performance and targeted high-end buyers. Unlike traditional hybrid designs, the new Accord hybrid uses a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Together with the Integrated Motor Assist, the hybrid version provided slightly higher performance than the conventional V6-engined Accord. However, the marketplace did not embrace the Accord Hybrid, and 2007 was the final model year available.

The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan is also 4 inches (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. Accord Hybrids from model year 2006 and up can be identified by the amber rear turn signals whereas their fully gasoline counterparts have red rear turn signals.

According to road tests conducted by Consumer Reports, the V6 Accord Hybrid averages 2 MPG better than the regular V6 Accord and 1 MPG better than the 4-cylinder Accord.

Honda has announced that there will be no hybrid version of the next generation (2008 model year) Accord; instead, there may ultimately be a diesel model. Another replacement for the Accord Hybrid is the mid-size Honda FCX Clarity, with the production model to debut at the 2007-08 Los Angeles Auto Show. Both the FCX Clarity and Accord Diesel will debut as 2009 models. The Accord hybrid sold 25,000 since 2004, and 6,100 of the 2007 model. [http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/honda-dropping-the-accord-hybrid/]

Awards

The Accord Hybrid won the Canadian Car of the Year "Best New Alternative Power" award for 2005.

ee also

*List of hybrid vehicles
*Production hybrid vehicles

External links

* [http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Accord+Hybrid Official US website]
* [http://www.allcargarage.com/2006-honda-accord-v6-hybrid.html 2006 Honda Accord V6 Hybrid]