Honda's Focus on Diesel might bring the death of Accord hybrid

[igor]

http://news.windingroad.com/alternat...accord-hybrid/

Igor

[Bggriffi]

Has Honda released any fuel economy figures yet? How about a price? I think a diesel engine in a midsize car is a great idea.

[GM-Joe]

smart move, diesels are more efficient than current hybrids and are cheaper to develop and mass market.

[boblutzfan]

This is typical Honda spin...we may puruse the diesel alternative for the next generation Accord - yeah....becuase the Accord Hybrid sales have sucked!!!

I think the Hybrid craze may be losing steam - especially as auto makers anticipate the new EPA numbers realizing that the scam is finally up.

[throwback]

Their 4 cyl turbo diesel is considered one of, if not the best diesel engine in Europe by the European car mags. The Euro Accord gets well over 40mpg. I think the problem with the Accord hybrid is price, it cost about 30K. That's a lot of money when you can get in a 4cyl Accord for 17K. I test drove a hybrid Accord and the performance is great, combined with excellent gas mileage I was hooked. The sticker and very small trunk turned me off. That and the typical arrogant Honda salesman.

[BGH]

Good on Honda. A V6 diesel would be great for the NA market. It's nice to see Honda is trying to regain it's lead in engine development.

[jbartley]

yeh, that and the fact they can't seem to sell any accord hybrids.

overrrrrrr-raaaaattteddddd!

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Candlelight vigil in San Fransisco?

Seriously, GM needs to counter, and also offer diesels for sedans, crossovers, and SUV's.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

This is typical Honda spin...we may puruse the diesel alternative for the next generation Accord - yeah....becuase the Accord Hybrid sales have sucked!!!

The Accord hybrid is overpriced, and doesn't really deliver good fuel economy. It's no wonder it tanked.

The Civic hybrid, on the other hand, isn't bad. From a purely financial standpoint, it's not worth buying (you'd save a lot more money by buying a used economy car), but it's definitely more cost effective than the Accord hybrid.

[BGH]

Why do people keep referring to the Accord hybrid being a dud? Honda apparently agrees with you and is changing its hybrid strategy and bringing out more diesels.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

This is typical Honda spin...we may puruse the diesel alternative for the next generation Accord - yeah....becuase the Accord Hybrid sales have sucked!!!

I think the Hybrid craze may be losing steam - especially as auto makers anticipate the new EPA numbers realizing that the scam is finally up.

And GM will be bring out more hybrids after the scam is up? Good going, GM.

The Accord Hybrid should have been tuned for performance with fuel economy as a bonus like the Lexus hybrids. The Accord Hybrid's powertrain is a good technological showcase, though... being a v6 hybrid with cylinder shutoff and all.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by genjy

And GM will be bring out more hybrids after the scam is up? Good going, GM.

The Accord Hybrid should have been tuned for performance with fuel economy as a bonus like the Lexus hybrids. The Accord Hybrid's powertrain is a good technological showcase, though... being a v6 hybrid with cylinder shutoff and all.

I think that was what they tried to do with it. Unfortunately, the Honda IMA hybrid setup is not the same concept as the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (for example, the Honda's electric motor is nowhere near as powerful as the ones that Toyota uses). Consequently, it's not getting much help from being a hybrid.

I have a theory that most (if not all) of the Accord Hybrid's better EPA highway figures come from the cylinder deactivation than from being a hybrid. I also believe that the reason Honda doesn't offer cylinder deactivation in the Accord V6 is because it would expose the fallacy of the hybrid (since they not only offer cylinder deactivation in non-hybrid Odysseys and Pilots, but also in Accords/Inspires sold elsewhere, such as India).

[paul3230]

Originally Posted by BGH

Why do people keep referring to the Accord hybrid being a dud? Honda apparently agrees with you and is changing its hybrid strategy and bringing out more diesels.

Because it is...Toyota has the hybrid game on lock right now..the only ones seriously challenging them is GM and Ford

[throwback]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

I think that was what they tried to do with it. Unfortunately, the Honda IMA hybrid setup is not the same concept as the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (for example, the Honda's electric motor is nowhere near as powerful as the ones that Toyota uses). Consequently, it's not getting much help from being a hybrid.

I have a theory that most (if not all) of the Accord Hybrid's better EPA highway figures come from the cylinder deactivation than from being a hybrid. I also believe that the reason Honda doesn't offer cylinder deactivation in the Accord V6 is because it would expose the fallacy of the hybrid (since they not only offer cylinder deactivation in non-hybrid Odysseys and Pilots, but also in Accords/Inspires sold elsewhere, such as India).

I agree with your thinking here. I thought putting the IMA on a four cylinder would have made more sense for the Accord. I must say though the performance of the Hybrid Accord is sensational. Cruising at about 50 mph and flooring it, it give an amazing initial thrust of power. I like the IMA concept. It allows for a smaller engine for good gas mileage, but gives you a boost when needed.

[paul3230]

Originally Posted by genjy

And GM will be bring out more hybrids after the scam is up? Good going, GM.

The Accord Hybrid should have been tuned for performance with fuel economy as a bonus like the Lexus hybrids. The Accord Hybrid's powertrain is a good technological showcase, though... being a v6 hybrid with cylinder shutoff and all.

GM needs to have hybrids...regardless if they do well or not because the need the image lift that it brings...I think Rick understands this very well after the GM EV1 debockle.