Honda Cars : Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid earns the title for being the most fuel-efficient sedan in America | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda has released new details about the 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid.

Described at the "most fuel-efficient sedan in America," the Accord is equipped with a two-motor hybrid system that consists of a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, a 166 hp (124 kW) electric motor and a 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup enables the sedan to travel up to 13 miles (21 km) on electricity alone which earns it an EPA rating of 115 MPGe. When the petrol engine is activated, the Accord returns 47 mpg city / 46 mpg highway / 46 mpg combined (US).

When the battery is depleted, it can be fully replenished in approximately three hours with a 120 volt outlet. With the optional 240 volt charger, the time is reduced to less than an hour.

The Accord Plug-in Hybrid starts at $39,780 and is currently on sale at select dealerships in California and New York.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113012152931/honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-earns-the-title-for-being-the

Honda Cars : Honda to build new Accord hybrid car in U.S. | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

DETROIT (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co Ltd said on Thursday it will invest $23 million to build a hybrid version of its popular Accord sedan at its plant in Marysville, Ohio.

The Japanese automaker said it will add about 50 jobs at the plant to build the car, which will go on sale this fall as a 2014 model.

It will be the third hybrid vehicle Honda builds in the United States, following hybrid versions of the Civic and Acura ILX built at the company's Greensburg, Indiana, plant.

The Ohio plant is undergoing an expansion of 95,000 square feet to house assembly processes and logistics specifically for production of the Accord hybrid, Honda said. The project includes lengthening the main assembly line and adding space for related parts receiving and sub-assembly operations.

In the last three years, Honda has announced investments at its Ohio manufacturing facilities exceeding $800 million.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit; editing by John Wallace)

Source;
http://news.yahoo.com/honda-build-accord-hybrid-car-u-135224685--finance.html 

Honda Cars : 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In: Test Drive Review | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Wow, this car looks wayyy better in black....

by Ryan ZumMallen 

Not many people will have the chance to buy a 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In when it goes on sale in California and New York next year, but those that do will find a car that performs the way we were promised gasoline-electric hybrids one day would.

Honda recently announced that pricing for the 2014 Accord Plug-In will start at $37,980 (plus $750 destination), a premium for the segment that includes the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in. But the Accord is a leap forward for Honda, and in some ways, plug-in hybrids everywhere.

The 2014 Accord Plug-In is outfitted with the same features as the 2012 Accord Touring, the top-of-the-line Honda sedan, which means that an impressive array of comfort and safety features come standard. The Accord Plug-In feels like a warm and engaging luxury car that just happens to sometimes run on battery power, immediately making it an attractive alternative to the competition.

Inside, the Accord Plug-In sports very comfortable ten-way adjustable seats with adequate room for five. Technology is impressive but not overwhelming, with a large touch-screen interface and seven-speaker audio system tastefully worked into the interior. Soothing lights and sounds welcome you when the car starts, and high-quality glossy materials are pleasing to the eye.

Your experience from the outside may be a different story, however. We’ve discussed the, shall we say, unorthodox appearance of the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In before. In person, the gaping front grille is a little less ghastly, but is still a design that only its mother could love. In an effort to differentiate the plug-in from its Accord brothers, Honda probably went too far with creative freedom.

But that’s not why people will buy the car, anyway. The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In will achieve an estimated 115 MPGe with an all-electric range of 13 miles. The two-motor system is a first for Honda, and in a short drive around downtown Los Angeles, it came off as a refined and smooth powertrain befitting its price tag. Under electric power, the Accord Plug-In will pull mightily when you want it, and then subtly transitions into the gasoline engine as you gain speed. It’s a promising system that Honda should attempt to work into more vehicles, especially as the cost begins to decrease a bit.

Also very impressive is the standard LaneWatch system that shows a live video of your blind spot when attempting to switch lanes. Our own James Flammang wrote an explanation and review of the technology last week, here, and it adds a welcome level of technology and safety to the 2014 Accord Plug-In.

If you can get past its price and design, and consider yourself an early adopter of fuel-efficient technology, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In is a promising newcomer that deserves your attention. Only if you live in New York or California, though.

Source;
http://www.automedia.com/Blog/post/2014-Honda-Accord-Plug-In-Test-Drive-Review.aspx

Honda Cars : Los Angeles 2012: Honda Prices 2014 Accord Plug-In at $40,570, Promises 115 MPGe | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

2013 Honda Accord is already on sale, and it’s spawning not one, but two hybrid variants: Honda announced pricing for the 2014 Accord Plug-In at today’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and confirmed that a regular hybrid model will follow next summer.

The Plug-In Hybrid was officially confirmed long ago, and we’ve already driven it, but Honda announced that the Accord PHEV will go on sale in just a few short weeks. Buyers in New York and California will be able to get their hands on an Accord PHEV as of January 15, at a starting price of $40,570, including destination. (A hybrid tax credit hasn’t yet been confirmed.)

For that price, buyers get an Accord with slightly different exterior design (for better aerodynamics), all of the Accord Touring creature comforts and features (including forward collision and lane departure warnings, as well as a rear-facing LaneWatch camera) and get up to 115 MPGe, according to the EPA. The Accord PHEV’s EV-only range is 13 miles, at which point its gasoline engine kicks in (overall fuel economy is 47 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, 46 mpg combined). While the range is a bit shorter than extended-range electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, the upshot is that drivers can recharge their Accord plug-ins in less than one hour with a 240-volt charger or three hours using a 120-volt outlet. The Accord PHEV also qualifies for California’s vaunted “Access OK” carpool-lane-exemption stickers, which allow single commuters to use HOV lanes.

If the Plug-In is a bit much for you, Honda promises another, less expensive hybrid. The 2013 Honda Accord Hybrid will look a bit more like the Honda Accords with conventional gas engines, but get 49 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, 47 mpg combined thanks to its next-generation, two-motor Hybrid system that should deliver better performance and economy than the current Integrated Motor Assist unit. Those numbers are almost completely in line with those of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which promises 47 mpg in the city, on the highway, and in combined driving.

The Accord Hybrid will bow some time in summer 2013, but should be available at all Honda dealers (as opposed to the PHEV’s slow rollout to major markets). Pricing for the Hybrid isn’t yet available.

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/los-angeles-2012-honda-prices-2014-accord-plug-in-at-40570-promises-115-mpge-188599.html#axzz2DvInrsxH

Honda Cars : Report: Future Honda Accord PHEV May Be Built in the U.S. | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Written by: Jason Udy

The U.S.-built 2013 Honda Accord may debut with I-4 and V-6 powertrains, but the plug-in sedan variant is only one model year away. While the 2014 Accord PHEV may be built in Japan and in small numbers, a new report says that Honda may begin production of the advanced four-door in the U.S. as early as calendar-year 2015. With the yen-to-dollar exchange rate destroying any potential profits, though, until such a move occurs, Honda will continue to import Japanese-built Accord PHEVs to the U.S.

This won’t be the first time Honda has tried selling an Accord hybrid. From 2004 to 2008, the automaker offered an Accord V-6 Hybrid, but since the premium-priced car focused more on performance than fuel economy, it was discontinued. The automaker says that selling a hybrid version of a car alongside a regular gas-only model can be harder than selling a hybrid-only vehicle such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius because there is no non-hybrid variant of the same car that makes it difficult for some consumers to justify the added cost.

“The blended brakes’ handoff between regenerative and friction braking as you approach a stop — historically one of the hardest things for car companies to get right — is the best we’ve ever experienced,” we wrote in our 2013 Accord First Drive, about the plug-in variant. “The Accord PHEV is not quick off the line — in fact, it’s painfully slow — but it accelerates quite rapidly at highway speeds.”

Some PHEVs already on the market or soon to roll into dealerships include the Toyota Prius Plug-in, Chevrolet Volt, and Ford Fusion Energi. Final assembly for the Volt and C-Max is in Michigan while the Prius Plug-in is built in Japan. Does the location of where a PHEV is built matter to you?

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/report-future-honda-accord-phev-may-be-built-in-the-u-s-174811.html

Honda Cars : Truthaboutcars: 2013 Honda Accord Sedan & 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Drive Review | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Cars : CNET 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid preview | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda will offer a new plug-in hybrid and hybrid version of its updated Accord model next year, featuring an all-new hybrid drive system.

By Wayne Cunningham

Honda can boast just as much hybrid history as Toyota, yet Honda's hybridcars have not met with the same level of success. Where the Prius can drive under pure electric power at low speeds, especially useful when creeping along in traffic, Honda's hybrid system was not as robust, its motor merely giving extra boost to assist the engine.

For a time, Honda offered an Accord Hybrid with this system, but it only lasted three years. Now, Honda is ready to bring a Accord Plug-in Hybrid and Accord Hybrid back, with an entirely new hybrid drive system.

The new Accord Hybrid will be based on Honda's Accord midsize sedan updated for the 2013 model year. Honda released details about the Accord Plug-in Hybrid, and is reserving further information on the Accord Hybrid until later. However, the differences are likely to be a smaller battery pack and less pure electric range for the Accord Hybrid as opposed to the Accord Plug-in Hybrid.

The new hybrid system in the Accord Plug-in Hybrid consists of a 2-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine under the hood making 137 horsepower, and a continuously variable transmission with an integrated 124-kilowatt electric motor. Rather than assist the engine, this motor will be the primary driver of the front wheels. Honda rates the total system output at 196 horsepower.

Honda fits a 6.7 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack in the trunk, just behind the rear seats. It takes up a good portion of the trunk space, but it also can drive the car under pure electric power for 10 to 15 miles, according to Honda. Total range is over 500 miles, when taking into account a full tank of gas. A standard electric car charging port on the front left fender lets the battery be recharged in under 3 hours from a 110-volt source, and less than an hour from a 240-volt source.

Pressing the HV button puts the car into hybrid vehicle mode, using the engine to generate electricity.

(Credit: Honda)

Although official EPA estimates have not been released, Honda expects the Accord Plug-in Hybrid to get over 100 miles per gallon equivalent for its electric mode. No estimates were given for what it might achieve with the engine running. Real-world fuel economy will differ wildly, depending on how frequently drivers recharge the battery.

The Accord Plug-in Hybrid has three drive modes, which activate automatically or can be chosen by the driver. With a full charge in the battery, the car will drive as an electric vehicle, although the engine may start up at high speeds or under heavy acceleration.

The car's hybrid mode is more intriguing. Similar to the Chevrolet Volt, it uses the engine as a generator, creating electricity for the drive motor. The battery pack will also contribute, using electricity from the grid and whatever it can garner from the car's regenerative braking.

In the Accord Plug-in Hybrid's third mode, the gas engine mechanically connects to the drive wheels, giving additional motive power to what the electric motor can supply.

The regenerative braking for the Accord Plug-in Hybrid is similar that developed for the Fit EV. It not only converts kinetic energy from braking to electricity, but activates a type of grade logic when going down a hill. On a descent, it will hold the initial speed the driver sets with the accelerator and brake, automatically engaging regenerative braking. As we saw on the Honda Fit, the driver does not need to touch the pedals to maintain a steady downhill speed.

Owners of the Accord Plug-in Hybrid will also get access to the same HondaLink EV telematics system used for the Fit EV. This smartphone app lets owners remotely schedule charging times and helps find public charging stations.

The Accord Plug-in Hybrid will have the same cabin tech features as the high trim 2013 Honda Accord, such as the navigation system and LaneWatch blind-spot monitoring system, which uses a camera to look out the right side of the car. It will also get LED headlights, which help save electricity for the drive motor.

Whether the plug-in version will really catch on depends on pricing and final EPA fuel economy. However, this new hybrid system is an exciting new development for Honda that could see use in other models.

Source;
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57504624-48/2014-honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-preview/

Honda Cars : All-New 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan Melds Power, Luxury and Efficiency with Electric-Only Driving Mode | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

09/05/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedan will provide the athleticism and craftsmanship of the all-new Accord platform, charged with a remarkable dose of hybrid efficiency and electric torque. Set to go on sale in early 2013, the 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Sedan will offer premium technology, exceptional cabin space, the ability to run in an all-electric mode for 10 to 15 miles1 and a calculated1 total driving range over 500 miles.

The 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedan features one of four efficient new powertrains for the all-new Accord. The Accord Plug-in Hybrid will also serve as the basis for a conventional hybrid version of the Accord Sedan, which will join the Honda Accord lineup in the summer of 2013.

The 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid is powered by Honda's first two-motor hybrid system, and uses a new Earth DreamsTM 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower, teamed with a powerful 124-kilowatt (kW) electric motor. Electric driving is supported by a 6.7 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery, and total system output is 196 horsepower.

To maximize driving efficiency, the uniquely designed two-motor hybrid system allows the Accord PHEV powertrain to move seamlessly between all-electric EV Drive, gasoline-electric Hybrid Drive; and direct Engine Drive. Fuel efficiency for the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid is expected to exceed 100 MPG-e, and it's also expected to receive an Enhanced AT-PZEV rating from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Beyond its function as a full-electric vehicle, owners of the 2014 Accord PHEV will be able to choose two additional driving modes to manage battery capacity and tailor the capabilities of the plug-in Accord to their own commute. In its default upon start-up, the Accord PHEV acts as a pure electric vehicle and will continue on in full-electric mode until battery capacity necessitates the automatic switch to gas/electric hybrid operation. At higher speeds or under high demand for acceleration, the gasoline engine can kick in to provide additional power.

In "HV" mode, the plug-in Accord acts as a conventional hybrid, blending motor power between gasoline and electric to maximize fuel efficiency while maintaining the battery charge level. In "HV Charge" mode, the Accord PHEV blends gasoline and electric power while also augmenting the battery charge level.

The 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan will feature an electric servo braking system similar to the setup on the Honda Fit EV, which allows for exceptionally natural brake pedal feel, while extending the range over which the regenerative braking can take place. In addition to its efficient powertrain, the Accord PHEV features remarkably swift charging times. The plug-in Accord can be fully charged from a low-charge indication point in less than three hours using a standard 120-volt household electrical outlet, and in less than one hour using a 240-volt "Level-2" charger. The free HondaLink™ EV smartphone application will allow owners to easily monitor the charging state of the Accord PHEV.

Based on the Touring trim level of standard Accord Sedan, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedan will feature three exterior color choices, including two standard Accord shades (White Orchid Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl) plus a model-exclusive Burnished Silver Metallic exterior color choice. The Accord PHEV will also feature a weight-saving aluminum hood, 17-inch forged alloy wheels, a unique front bumper along with enhanced underbody aerodynamic treatments.

A host of visibility technologies are standard on the 2014 Accord PHEV, including a rearview camera, an expanded-view driver's mirror, Honda's new LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRL), and LED mirror-mounted turn indicators.

Standard Features
The Accord PHEV is available in a single highly equipped trim level, based on the standard features of the premium Accord Touring model. Standard Accord PHEV features include:

•Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
•USB/iPod® connectivity
•Dual-zone automatic climate control
•Pandora® internet radio compatibility
•Smart Start and Smart Entry
•Honda LaneWatch™
•Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition2
•Multi-view rearview camera
•HondaLink™ EV telematics system
•Heated front seats
•Auto-dimming rearview mirror
•Leather-wrapped steering wheel
•Driver's 10-way power seat with 2-position memory
•HomeLink®
•Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID)
•Audio with touchscreen interface
•Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
•Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
•Bio-Fabric seating surfaces
•Expanded-view driver's mirror
•LED mirror-mounted turn signals
•LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
•LED headlights
•Fog lights
•Chrome-plated door handles
•Decklid spoiler

Powertrain
The Earth Dreams technology used on the Accord PHEV includes an i-VTEC 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine coupled with a two-motor hybrid drive system. The hybrid system features a 124-kW electric motor powered by a 6.7-kWh Li-Ion battery pack. The gasoline engine produces a maximum 137 horsepower (hp) at 6200 rpm. In conjunction with the two-motor hybrid-drive system, the total power output peaks at 196 hp, which surpasses the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Chevrolet Volt and projected output of the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. The EarthDreams engine horsepower alone surpasses the total gas-electric output of the Prius Plug-In Hybrid.

Although not finalized at press time, anticipated fuel economy ratings for the 2014 Accord PHEV are expected to exceed 100 MPG-e1 in full-electric mode, provide a 10- to 15-mile1 EV driving range and a calculated1 total driving range over 500 miles. When in gasoline-only mode, it is expected to return one of the top EPA fuel economy ratings among mid-size sedans, and is also expected to earn an Enhanced AT-PZEV rating from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The two-motor hybrid system in the 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid allows power from the gasoline engine to flow directly to the front wheels, power the generator to supply electrical propulsion or even charge the battery pack. The Accord PHEV hybrid system moves seamlessly and automatically through its three powertrain states to maximize performance, efficiency and range.

From a low-charge indicator point3, recharge time for the Li-Ion battery pack when plugged into a standard 120-volt wall outlet is less than three hours, among the fastest in the Accord PHEV's class. And when plugged into a Level-2, 240-volt charger the recharge time is less than one hour - the quickest in the class. This is about half the required charge time of the Prius Plug-In Hybrid. The battery pack is mounted above the rear suspension, which helps maintain interior and trunk space and provides protection for the battery pack in a collision.

Body
The Accord body received further improvements in weight reduction, aerodynamic efficiency and rolling resistance in its transformation to Accord PHEV. All are designed to help Accord PHEV drivers maximize their driving range from every watt of electrical energy and every gallon of gasoline. Weight reduction features include:

•All-aluminum front subframe
•17-inch forged aluminum wheels
•Aluminum brake pedal
•Aluminum hood
•Aluminum rear bumper beam
•Puncture repair kit (in place of gasoline-engine Accord's spare wheel and tire)

Aerodynamic advancements include:
•Powertrain undercover
•Cabin floor undercovers
•Rear decklid spoiler
•Aerodynamic wheel covers

Reductions in rolling resistance include:
•Low rolling-resistance tires
•Low-friction wheel bearings

Chassis
The Accord PHEV chassis begins with the core engineering of the Accord Sedan, but then adds an all-aluminum front subframe (replacing the steel and aluminum version on the gasoline-engine Accord). The Accord PHEV uses proprietary 17-inch forged-aluminum wheels with a special low-aero drag design, fitted with 225/50-17 tires.

As with the gasoline-engine Accord models, the Accord PHEV uses an electric power steering (EPS) system that automatically adjusts the amount of steering assist for conditions. The EPS system is more efficient than a traditional hydraulic system, and it operates consistently whether the vehicle is using electricity, gasoline, or both.

The Accord PHEV features a braking system similar to the system in the Honda Fit EV, which provides fully electronic control of the hydraulic brake system. This system results in an improvement in regenerative braking efficiency compared to a hydraulic booster system used in other hybrids.

Interior
Sophisticated and contemporary, the redesigned 2013 Accord Sedan interior serves as the ideal basis for the 2014 Accord PHEV interior. Like the Fit EV, the Accord PHEV features a next-gen Honda Bio Fabric seat material, a new fabric that offers conventional softness and durability, but with reduced manufacturing environmental impact. The interior features several brighter trim accents and is available in gray to compliment the choice of three exterior colors.

With the Accord PHEV's free and convenient HondaLink™ EV smartphone app, owners can remotely schedule charging of the Li-Ion battery pack (taking advantage of "off-peak" electricity rates), monitor the state of charge, and even pre-warm or pre-cool the vehicle's interior while charging before they drive. This suite of capabilities is similar to those offered on the new 2013 Fit EV. HondaLink EV features include:

•Charge scheduling
•Charge status
•Charge complete notification
•Drive range display
•Charge station locator
•HVAC pre-conditioning

Safety
Like the all-new Accord, the new Accord PHEV offers a greater range of standard active and passive safety features than any other vehicle in Honda history. These include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). The Accord PHEV also has an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to audibly warn pedestrians when it is approaching in EV Drive mode. Based on internal testing, the 2014 Accord PHEV is expected to earn a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and 5-Star ratings in federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests.

Manufacturing

The 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedan will be built in Sayama, Japan.

Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedanis available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/all-new-2014-honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-sedan-melds-power-luxury-and-efficiency-with-electric-only-driving-mode