AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid on the way

Honda finally fessed up to what the industry has been speculating about for the past two years, that Honda will offer a Hybrid Accord for 2005. It's not clear whether the hybrid will be available at model year introduction, or whether it will come later.

Interestingly, this isn't some pokey ecobox. This is a fully-loaded EX model with the V-6 engine. If you've never driven a V-6 Honda Accord, let me tell you, the car will flat out move, with 0-60 in the sixes and a top speed (if ungoverned) of over 150 mph. The new hybrid is supposed to have more horsepower than the stock V-6, with the "mild hybrid" helper motor offering an additional 15 hp for a total of 255.

The Hybrid Accord is expected to have cylinder deactivation as well, switching to 3 cylinder mode when engine load is light. I suspect that more than the electric motor the cylinder deactiviation contributes to the hybrid Accord's expected EPA of 32/38 (vs 21-30 for conventional v-6).

Once again, I get on my soapbox about CAFE requirements being too low. If Honda can make a 150 mph family sedan get 32-38 MPG, and Mercedes can make a luxo-barge executive sedan get the same numbers with a diesel, why are the CAFE requirements stuck in the stone age?





USATODAY.com - Hybrid Accord vows performance, efficiency