Honda Cars : Edmunds: 2014 Honda Accord Plug in Hybrid | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Pros

Plug-in hybrid technology; high fuel economy; premium feel interior; loaded with standard safety and convenience features; quick recharging times.

Cons

Considerably more expensive than the typical hybrid sedan; no folding rear seat.

What's New for 2014

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is an all-new model.

Introduction

Honda recently redesigned the Accord for its ninth generation, improving the sedan's interior and exterior styling. For 2014, the Honda Accord gains a new model, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid. With this new addition to the lineup, Honda becomes one of the few automakers to offer a midsize family sedan in a plug-in hybrid configuration.
Unlike Honda's other hybrids such as the Insight, the Plug-In has an all-new hybrid system that's capable of accelerating the car using pure electric power. And as its name implies, the Plug-In can be recharged externally, thereby minimizing gas usage. Honda says the Accord Plug-In provides about 10-15 miles of pure electric range, after which point it switches over to normal hybrid operation. In regular hybrid mode, this Accord earns EPA estimates of 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.
Like the standard Accord, the plug-in hybrid offers similar features and comes in one well-appointed trim level based on the standard Accord Touring trim. That includes LED headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system and monitoring of vitals like charge status, charging stations and even enabled remote charging controlled by smartphone apps. Honda says a full battery charge on a 120-volt outlet will take three hours, while charging on a 240-volt outlet takes less than one hour.
The family sedan segment is packed with more great choices than ever before, but the field is wide open for plug-in hybrids. For now, the Accord competes directly with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, which, like the Accord, bundles a lengthy list of winning features into a plug-in package. One could also consider the 2013 Chevrolet Volt. It offers approximately three times the electric-only range, though it only seats four and those in back will find cramped quarters compared to the Honda.
For now Honda will only sell the Accord Plug-In Hybrid in California and New York, so consider yourself lucky if you're interested in the car and happen to live in one of those states. We've yet to fully test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In, but check back for a complete evaluation in the coming months.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes in one well-equipped trim level.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, foglamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, special "bio-fabric" upholstery, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), driver memory settings and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Electronic features include Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, voice recognition, a navigation system and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration (HondaLink). Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and a blind-spot monitor are also standard.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor. Together, they send a total of 196 horsepower to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor.
The Accord Plug-In Hybrid offers three driving modes: full electric, gas/electric (switches when battery capacity depletes to a specific threshold) and gasoline (for higher speeds or under high demand for acceleration). Additionally, two sub-modes tailor the Accord Plug-In's hybrid mode. "HV" acts as a conventional hybrid, blending gasoline and electric power for optimum fuel efficiency, while "HV Charge" does the same, while feeding energy back into the battery.
The EPA estimates stand at 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems are also standard.
Of note is the LaneWatch blind-spot system, which instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and expansive view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. A camera in the right-side mirror dedicated to this function provides a confidence-inspiring view, and acclimating to catching the view in the center-dash display is quick and natural.

Interior Design and Special Features

With a few exceptions, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid features an elegant and well-constructed cabin trimmed with high-quality materials that you could almost mistake for an Acura. The center stack embraces the spirit of legibility with an effective three-tier layout, capped at the top with an 8-inch display.
Despite the new Accord's slightly smaller exterior dimensions compared to the previous generation, its interior room remains impressive. There is plenty of leg and shoulder space for front occupants, and rear-seat passengers should be quite comfortable and happy. Road and tire noise -- often among Honda's traditional weaknesses -- are noticeably reduced in the 2014 Accord thanks in part to two active noise-cancellation systems plus improved aerodynamics.
We're also fond of the visibility afforded by the Accord cabin, which offers a lower beltline, slimmer roof pillars and a generous amount of glass. Unfortunately, the presence of the plug-in hybrid's battery pack means the rear seat does not fold down, thus limiting the Accord's cargo usefulness. The trunk, at 8.6 cubic feet, is also considerably smaller than the regular Accord's.

Driving Impressions

We've yet to test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, so check back for impressions on the car's new plug-in hybrid powertrain and handling capabilities.

Source;
http://www.edmunds.com/honda/accord-plug-in-hybrid/2014/

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 : New Civic, Hybrid Accords Key for Honda in 2013 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

by Aaron Foley of www.wardsauto.com

The revamp of the Civic not only is unusual for Honda but also the auto industry as a whole. Midyear model changes generally occur within two to three years of a product’s lifecycle.

Honda is covering all the bases with key improvements to its Civic compact and Accord midsize sedan this year, with extra scrutiny paid to the smaller model.


The much-derided ’12 Civic is being replaced with an almost all-new model in dealerships now. Chief among complaints was the previous model’s spartan interior, replaced by a new one that features soft-touch instrumentation and other premium-feel add-ons.

“We miscalculated a little bit of where the market was headed,” Honda Chief Engineer Art St. Cyr says. “And we recognize it. What we tried to do with the '13 Civic was give it a more sophisticated and high-class appearance. Not to say that the '12 was bad. It still looked like what we were going for.”

There is no cost difference between using softer materials over hard plastic, St. Cyr says. Hard plastic is commonly used because it can be cut to fit multiple cabins regardless of trim level. ”A soft instrument panel gives you the ability to cut some of the hard lines. You don’t worry about how things are mating.”

American Honda President John Mendel says he has received only two letters from concerned customers wondering about the resale value of their ’12 Civics and that he is not worried the previous model will lose its value.

“We’d say, ‘You made a smart choice. The car retained its value, and you have something to look forward to next time you change (vehicles).’ It’s not as if this one obsoletes the old one.”

The revamp of the Civic, referred to as a “minor model change” by Mendel, not only is unusual for Honda but also the auto industry as a whole. Midyear model changes generally occur within two to three years of a product’s lifecycle and are planned well in advance, whereas the turnaround with the new Civic was executed in less than a year.

This won’t become an industry standard, Mendel assures, but it does demonstrate how a car company can change with the market.

“I don’t think a minor model change is going to come every 18 months now,” he says. “Short model changes don’t cost any less than long model changes. It’s how you amortize them. I think that it has awakened the organization to the potential that we can do this faster than we’ve ever been. It doesn’t mean it should be the norm.”

For the Accord, a variety of powertrain options keeps consumer interest piqued in the car, Mendel says. Drivers have warmed to the new continuously variable transmission option, which is helping keep the midsize model “neck and neck with (the Toyota) Camry.”

Honda designed its new CVT (in-house) to feel like an actual gear-change transmission, he says.
“We’re not getting feedback (that it’s) whiny, rubber-bandy. CVT had built that reputation.”

The Accord also is offering a hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the ’13 model, with sights set on the former.

“I think that the Accord hybrid will put us firmly competitive in the 2-motor midsize class,” Mendel says. “(The) plug-in hybrid, we’ll see. It’s expensive, and we’ll see what the consumer adoption for that will be.”

He expects the plug-in hybrid to see smaller volume than its hybrid counterpart. “We can expand or contract production on that to the degree that we wish to.”

Honda was dogged with recalls in 2012, issuing about 16 notices potentially affecting an estimated 2,593,627 U.S. vehicles. But Mendel says the number of callbacks – only Toyota had more last year, affecting a potential 5,327,394 vehicles – doesn’t equate to the number of problems each vehicle had.

“Recalls kind of fit into the quality process,” he says. “We as readily identify stuff that we need to fix quicker in most cases than anybody else. I can’t speak for Toyota, but for us certainly we look at that as…the customer has a problem and (we) fix something.”

Driving into 2013, Honda is looking to tweak its strategies for its smaller, alternative-powertrain offerings that include the Insight hybrid-electric and CR-Z mild hybrid compacts and the Fit electric vehicle.

Mendel says the auto maker is eyeing a 1-motor electric powertrain for future small cars, putting current 2-motor systems in the CR-Z and Insight in question. “We have some plans for both those vehicles we’re not ready to share,” he says. “(But the) CR-Z is going to have some significant upgrades.”

The Fit EV, available as a lease-only vehicle in California, could be expanded beyond that market, but there are no firm plans.

“(The Fit EV) is an answer for electric vehicles from a market that is evolving, as we’re trying to figure out what an EV vehicle is supposed to be like in this country,” St. Cyr says.

Source;
 http://wardsauto.com/north-america/new-civic-hybrid-accords-key-honda-2013

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 : 2014 Honda Accord PHEV priced at $40,570 (USD) | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Andrew Christian

The 2013 Honda Accord has already started selling and will get two hybrid versions. Honda took the opportunity at the Los Angeles Auto Show to announce the pricing for the 2014 Accord Plug-In. In addition, Honda confirmed that a regular hybrid model will follow next summer. Honda has already confirmed the Plug-In Hybrid awhile back but has revealed that the Accord PHEV will begin to sell in only a few short weeks. By January 15, buyers in New York and California will be able to get their Accord PHEV, priced from $40,570, including destination costs. A hybrid tax credit has yet to be confirmed. For this price, consumers get an Accord with a design that’s slight different for improved aerodynamics. All of the Accord Touring creature comforts and features (such as forward collision and lane departure warnings, as well as a rear-facing LaneWatch camera) can offer up to 115 MPGe, the EPA said. The Accord PHEV has an electric-vehicle-only range of 13 miles.

At this point, the gasoline engine would kick in. It has an overall fuel economy of 47 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, 46 mpg combined. The range is slightly shorter than extended-range electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt but the outcome is that drivers could recharge their Accord plug-ins in shorter than one hour with a 240-volt charger or three hours with the use of a 120-volt outlet. Furthermore, the Accord PHEV is eligible for California’s vaunted “Access OK” carpool-lane-exemption stickers, which permits single commuters to utilize HOV lanes.

There will be a less expensive hybrid available if the Plug-In costs too much. The 2013 Honda Accord Hybrid will appear more like the Honda Accords with traditional gas engines but it offers 49 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, 47 mpg combined due to its next-generation, two-motor Hybrid system that should offer a performance and economy that’s better than the current Integrated Motor Assist unit. These figures are nearly totally in line with those of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which claims 47 mpg in the city, on the highway, and in combined driving.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2014-honda-accord-phev-priced-at-40570/

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

Honda Cars : Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. Announces Honda Win | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

VENTURA, Calif., July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTI) ("Clean Diesel" or the "Company"), a cleantech emissions control company, is pleased to announce that it has begun supplying catalysts for next-generation four- and six-cylinder Honda Accord models. The Company expects to announce additional model programs in 2013 as it continues close collaboration with Honda on other high-performance six-cylinder and hybrid vehicle applications.

Clean Diesel's latest catalyst offerings to Honda leverage its proprietary breakthrough MPC^© technology and include a high-performance catalyst which is designed to meet stringent California Air Resources Board ("CARB") Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle ("SULEV") emission standards. Clean Diesel will also supply a palladium-only ("Pd-only") catalyst that significantly reduces precious metal content when compared to competitive products that typically include more expensive and price volatile metals such as Platinum and Rhodium.

"We are proud to be Honda's catalyst supplier for the Accord — one of the best selling cars in North America — and we look forward to our catalysts being introduced on other new and exciting Honda vehicle models. Honda's confidence in our ability to consistently provide superior catalyst solutions is a clear indicator of our technology leadership. We believe that these latest product introductions highlight our strategy to grow sustainable OEM business through technological innovation which expands our footprint with existing customers and creates opportunities to selectively add new customers," said R. Craig Breese, Clean Diesel's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Clean Diesel's Catalyst Division began delivering catalysts to Honda in 2001 – offering a unique combination of high performance and low precious group metal content, resulting in significant economic benefits. Since then, Clean Diesel's catalysts have been sourced for new model programs that typically span four to five years, including the popular model years 2004 and 2008 Accord.

Source;
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/815255

Honda Cars : Car and Driver: A look at the 2013 Honda Accord | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

What It Is: The ninth generation of the longest-running 10Best winner. Unlike many of  its mid-size competitors, the Accord will continue to be offered as a coupe and a sedan. Slightly smaller and lighter than the current Accord, the new version also will have softer lines and more cohesive styling.

Why It Matters: This Accord will be as important to Honda as anything it’s done in the past decade. Will it be able to beat the growing range of exceptional mid-size competitors? Will it have the magic feel of previous Accords? Will Honda get its size right? Will it deliver Honda-style innovation and fuel economy? The new Accord needs to answer these questions in the affirmative.

Platform: The new Accord likely  will be based on an updated version of  the current car’s architecture.

Powertrain: While many mid-size competitors are dropping their six-cylinder options, the Accord will offer a revised and more powerful version of its familiar 3.5-liter V-6 with cylinder deactivation. But the bread-and-butter Accord will be the four-cylinder model. Direct injection helps the 2.4-liter four make at least 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with improved fuel economy. A six-speed manual will be offered; the automatic will be a CVT. A plug-in-hybrid version will couple a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 161-hp electric motor.  A 6-kWh lithium-ion battery  will offer 10 to 15 miles of city driving range and will recharge in less than four hours using a standard 120-volt outlet. Three selectable modes will allow the hybrid driver to choose among fully electric, hybrid, and “direct drive,” which decouples the electric motor for more efficient cruising.

Competition: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat.

What Might Go Wrong: The conservatively styled and engineered Civic has us wondering if the Accord will suffer the same fate. After seeing the new Accord coupe in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January, the threat of dullness remains.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The two- and four-door Accords arrive this fall. Pricing is expected to remain in the $20,000-to-$30,000 range for the vast majority of the lineup. A well-equipped hybrid and a loaded V-6 model will crest $30,000.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2013-honda-accord-future-cars

Honda Cars : Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Two electric motors and a plug, coming soon to an Accord near you.
January 2011
BY MICHAEL AUSTIN

While in Japan for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, we visited Honda’s Twin Ring Motegi racing facility to see some of the company’s future products. Among them was a plug-in hybrid system, a prototype of which was installed in a current-generation Accord. While the car we drove is just a development mule, we can confidently say that a hybrid like this one will be part of the lineup when the next-generation Accord debuts for the 2013 model year.

Honda’s new plug-in system is totally different from the single-motor IMA drivetrain found in the Insight, CR-Z, and Civic hybrids. The main powertrain components are a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four and two electric motors—one to charge the battery pack and one to spin the wheels. The gas engine puts out 134 hp and 111 lb-ft of torque; the drive motor is good for 161 hp, and the generator is rated at 100 kW.

We first saw this system previewed at the 2010 L.A. auto show, and the specifications are largely unchanged. EV mode works up to 62 mph for 10 to 15 miles. The gasoline motor can spin the drive wheels directly, bypassing the electric motor and returning highway fuel economy closer to that of conventional cars, which typically fare better than hybrids at high speeds. How this works is the curious part. My exchange at a powertrain display stand with a Honda engineer who was barely conversant in English:

“So how does the transmission work?”
“No, no transmission.”
“Yeah, okay, so the motors make a CVT like in the Prius? How does that work here?”
“No, the motor is direct drive.”

We went back and forth in this manner for about five minutes. When I then asked how the gasoline engine works at highway speeds, he told me that there’s a single ratio with no transmission. Take this with a grain of salt, as Honda’s specification sheet says the car uses an “electric CVT.” Later follow-up didn’t provide a more clear answer, so a better explanation down the road could prove the above to be inaccurate.

Going back to the engineer’s explanation, multiple clutches allow the system to work in full-EV mode, full-gas mode, or a mix of the two. When driving the wheels, the engine is always using a tall highway ratio, and the electric motor uses a single-speed gear reduction as well. At slow vehicle speeds, the electric motor can work on its own or feed in to provide assist. Conversely, in cases where the battery’s charge is depleted, the gas engine can produce juice using the generator, which then sends power to the drive motor; in effect, this means that the engine would indirectly drive the wheels.

Our test drive of the Accord was limited to a few miles at low speeds, but the system looks very promising. You can get a decent amount of power without activating the combustion engine (we were unable to determine, and Honda isn’t willing to share, the parameters that allow for EV operation). When the engine does kick in, though, its speed isn’t relative to vehicle speed, and it drones a bit—but Honda has plenty of time to rectify that before we see such a system in production. There is a slight delay between pressing the pedal and the gas engine kicking in, a feeling that reminds us of the Chevrolet Volt.

The Honda’s all-electric range is much shorter than the Volt’s. On the upside, its 6-kWh battery is lighter than that car’s. And the charging time, at around two hours on a 120-volt source, is a lot more attractive than the 10 a Volt needs from the same outlet. Honda didn’t provide any fuel-economy targets or estimates for the system.

Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai all have hybrids in the mid-size-sedan segment, and Nissan will soon return with a new Altima hybrid. Ford’s current Fusion in particular is very nicely executed and decent to drive; the 2013 Fusion will become the first to offer a plug-in option with the Energi model. So far, though, no one has figured out a similar solution for improving highway fuel economy in a hybrid. For a company that sold the first hybrid in the U.S. market and has since been eclipsed by its competitors, it’s nice to see some innovative thinking from Honda.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-prototype-drive-review

Honda Cars : First Drive: Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Mule | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda’s reputation as an innovator and technology leader wasn’t earned with the first hybrid brought to the U.S. market or its stubborn commitment to a hydrogen-powered prototype. Honda built its brand on the fundamentals of its most accessible and popular vehicles. Americans admired the simplest solutions to the most complex problems; they respected diligent engineering that set a standard of continuous improvement; and they believed in the company that was consistently one step ahead of the competition.

The company that once sold an affordable compact so clean it met emissions standards without a catalytic converter is hell bent on owning the hybrid market -- small as it may be, Prius be damned, and cost no object. So next year, Honda will add to its crowded stable of hybrids -- CR-Z, Civic, and Insight -- with a mid-size plug-in hybrid.

Not your typical Honda hybridHonda’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is far more sophisticated than the simple Integrated Motor Assist system found in Honda’s existing hybrids. It is also significantly different than the configurations used by the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Volt. No matter whether the Honda plug-in is relying on energy from its 6-kWh lithium-ion battery or its fuel tank, the wheels are primarily powered by a 161-hp electric motor. A second electric motor functions as a generator to convert power from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder into electricity for range far beyond the battery’s 10 to 15 miles. If the driver calls for quick acceleration or exceeds 62 mph, the gas engine will also kick on before the battery’s charge is exhausted. Recharging takes about one and a half hours with a 240-volt connection.

The Honda’s unusual trick (all good hybrids have at least one) is that the gas engine can be mated to the front wheels through a fixed gear ratio. While single-speed transmissions are common in electric vehicles, gas engines require multi-speed gearboxes to match the narrow rpm band where the engine is most efficient with the wide range of road speeds. Both the Prius and the Volt use continuously variable transmissions to blend electric and gas power on its way to the wheels. Honda’s single gear ratio has been optimized for low-load highway cruising, such that the gas engine never engages the wheels below 40 mph. An electronically controlled clutch engages the engine when the computer decides to send power directly from the gas engine to the wheels.

A test drive shorter than its electric rangeOver an extremely short, city-like loop, we sampled the hybrid powertrain packaged in the chassis of the current Honda Accord. The electric motor is plenty powerful to move at a normal pace without calling on the gas engine. Stomp on the throttle, though, and there’s a slight lag in power delivery and a CVT-like audible awakening as the engine spins up to high rpm and parks itself there. The Honda mule drove with less moaning than a Prius but less engine isolation than the Volt. Maximum acceleration is adequate but not quick.

We were never able to discern if the engine was driving the front wheels, although that doesn’t necessarily mean the system is seamless. It’s possible that the computer simply never saw fit to engage the clutch during our limited test drive. Brakes are easily modulated by hybrid standards.

Honda has committed to production for 2012, but it hasn’t let on if the powertrain will appear in the next Accord or an exclusive hybrid model. If Honda delivers on its claimed electric range of 10 to 15 miles, the mid-size plug-in hybrid will be aimed squarely at Toyota’s forthcoming Prius plug-in, a car that will certainly benefit from instant recognition as a hybrid.

The mysteries that remainIt’s clear that Honda is hoping the more sophisticated powertrain will be a feather in its cap and a step toward reclaiming its reputation as a technology leader. For that to happen, though, buyers will have to respond to this hybrid more strongly than they have to any of Honda’s previous gas/electric cars. While the plug-in hybrid features some genuine innovations, its chance of success depends just as much on unknowns like styling, pricing, and fuel economy.

Source;
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1112_honda_plug_in_hybrid_mule_first_drive/index.html

Honda Cars : Civic hybrid tests Honda's new strategy | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Despite being the first to sell an electric-gasoline car in the United States and making hybrid technology a centerpiece of its fuel economy push, Honda Motor Co. has yet to have a hybrid hit.

But the redesigned Civic Hybrid, launched April 20, is the first test of whether Honda's new strategy of tapping lithium ion batteries and, later, two-motor systems can break the streak.

Past Honda hybrids have fallen short on fuel economy, as the Insight did against the Toyota Prius, or on power, as the short-lived Honda Accord hybrid fared against nonhybrid rivals.

Honda's new hybrid plan aims to fix both problems.

The first improvement is using lithium ion batteries, made by Blue Energy Co., a joint venture between Honda and GS Yuasa Corp. The goal is to save weight and space, while increasing fuel economy. But the new batteries are costly.

The new Civic's lithium battery weighs 48.5 pounds, compared with 69 pounds for its predecessor's nickel-metal hydride battery. That helps the new Civic Hybrid get 44 mpg in both city and highway driving , edging the previous generation's EPA rating of 40 city/43 highway.

The updated hybrid also gets a lighter, more powerful electric motor, with output increased to 17 kilowatts, from 15 kilowatts. It also offers more cabin space.

Its sticker starts at $24,800, including shipping, just $100 more than the earlier version's base price. But the Civic's sticker tops the Prius' base price of $22,880, including shipping.

So far sales have been sluggish. That is due in part to limited availability of the Japan-made hybrid because of earthquake-induced supply chain disruptions. Through May, Honda sold only 389 new Civic Hybrids in the United States, less than 1 percent of all Civics sold in that period. In 2010, hybrids accounted for 3 percent of the 260,218 Civics sold.

But slashing costs eventually will be key to driving sales higher.

"Toyota has already reduced the cost of its hybrid system over several years," says Toru Hatano, a powertrain analyst at IHS Global Insight in Tokyo. "But Honda is launching a whole new system, so we can expect their costs to be higher in the near term."

Honda also will install lithium ion batteries in a new two-motor hybrid system debuting next year in the United States for mid-sized plug-in hybrids.

Honda hasn't said what car gets it first. But engineers are testing the system in an Accord. A suitcase-sized lithium ion battery pack sits behind the back seat, eating trunk space.

An engineer involved with the project said testing is expected to continue through year end, and the company must decide if the 15-mile range in electric-only mode is sufficient. If user feedback suggests more range is needed, Honda will have to make the battery bigger or cut the car's weight, he said.

"We think a 15 mile range satisfies about 70 percent of the users," he said.

Already, Honda has tweaked the plug-in version of the Accord with an aluminum hood and other weight shavings. But the plug-in still weighs 330 pounds more than its gasoline counterpart.

Honda is rolling out the new hybrid system to counter criticism that its current technology is too weak to provide extended electric-only travel. The Integrated Motor Assist system used in the Insight, Civic and CR-Z hybrids uses the electric motor mostly to assist the gasoline engine.

The new system uses one traction motor to move the car and one generator motor to recharge the battery. The former, a 120-kilowatt motor, is combined with a 2.0-liter, four cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission.

The car has a top speed of 62 mph in electric-only mode, but a big question will be how far it can travel at that speed. The Accord plug-in hybrid can recharge in four hours from a 100-volt source or in 1.5 hours from a 200-volt source, the engineer said.

Honda President Takanobu Ito said last fall that the new hybrid system for larger vehicles will give electric-gasoline drivetrains a bigger slice of Honda's global sales -- pushing hybrids to around 10 percent of global sales by 2015, from less than 5 percent in 2009.

The electrified powertrains also will feature prominently in the Acura lineup, Ito said, reinforcing what he calls the "smart premium" image to which the brand aspires.
Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110606/CARNEWS/110609917#ixzz1Ob4yjDH4

Honda Cars : Honda says plug-ins will go 15 miles on battery | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The new line of mid-sized plug-in hybrids that Honda Motor Co. aims to introduce next year will be able to travel up to 15 miles in electric-only mode, an executive says.

That would counter criticism that Honda's current hybrid technology is too weak to provide extended motor-only travel. The Integrated Motor Assist system used in the Honda Insight, Civic and CR-Z hybrids uses the electric motor mostly to assist the gasoline engine.

The new technology, which is scheduled to debut in 2012, is a two-motor system that runs on a lithium ion battery. The battery will be supplied through Blue Energy Co., Honda's battery joint venture with GS Yuasa Corp, said Hirohisa Ogawa, a chief engineer of battery research at Honda.
Ogawa, speaking at the International Rechargeable Battery Expo in Tokyo, said the new plug-ins would be able to run nine to 15 miles in electric-only mode.

Honda began testing the vehicles late last year, he added.

President Takanobu Ito has said his engineers are preparing to put the system in the Accord mid-sized sedan. Honda discontinued an earlier hybrid Accord, which was equipped with the Integrated Motor Assist system.

Source:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110308/GREEN/110309916#ixzz1GDO2bRWk

Honda Cars : 2013 Honda Accord (codename 2GA) rendering and information | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Back in July Honda President, Takanobu Ito, reveal plans to introduce midsize plug-in hybrid car to United States and Japan in 2012. Accoding to latest report from Japanese Mag-x,the car will be a plug-in hybrid version of next generation Honda Accord (codename 2GA).

The same source also reveal that the car is in research and development at Honda R & D center in Japan. The new car will divide to Japanese/European version and U.S./China/Asia version.body size of the new North american’s Accord is about 4895×1845x1470mm.

The engine will be the range of inline four cylinder 2.0L, 2.4L and V6. 3.5L.But the most interesting is the debut of Plug in Hybrid-petrol version.

In 2010 LA motorshow honda reveal a plug-in hybrid platform which autoten expect to use in the 2013 Honda Accord hybrid. A four cylinder 2.0L petrol have The two-motor system continuously moves through three different modes to maximise driving efficiency: all-electric, petrol-electric and a unique, engine direct-drive mode. The plug-in hybrid also uses regenerative braking to charge the battery.

When the Honda plug-in hybrid system operates in electric mode, it can achieve a range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving and a top speed of 62 mph.Fully recharging the battery will take 2 to 2.5 hours using a 120-volt outlet and 1 to 1.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet.

The car will arrive in November 2012.

Source;
http://autoten.com/2010/12/08/2013-honda-accord-codename-2garendering-and-information/

Honda Cars : Electric Honda Fit Hits The Road In CA, Accord Plug-In Hybrid To Follow | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Well, that was quick. Just one month after it unveiled the electric Fit EV prototype at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda is about to put the first of its electric subcompacts into daily use in southern California.

Amusingly, it's in Torrance, where rival automaker and hybrid leader Toyota has its U.S. headquarters.

The city of Torrance will receive a Honda Fit EV to test early next year, and then in 2012, a Honda Accord sedan fitted with Honda's new plug-in hybrid powertrain as well. Stanford University and Google will also receive their own Fit EV test cars.

In Torrance, the cars will be used by various city departments, including the Economic Development office, the Community Development department, and the Public Works office.

The president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Tetsuo Iwamura, took part in a ceremony with Torrance mayor Frank Scotto to hand over a symbolic Honda key. Honda's demonstration program will give the company real-world data on how drivers use both electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The all-electric Honda Fit EV will be launched in 2012 in the U.S. and Japan, probably as a 2013 model. Its lithium-ion battery pack gives it a range of up to 100 miles (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor), and Honda quotes a top speed of 90 miles per hour.

Source;
http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1052617_electric-honda-fit-hits-the-road-in-ca-accord-plug-in-hybrid-to-follow

Honda Cars : Honda Accord Hybrid V2.0: Honda Preparing to Resurrect the Accord Hybrid | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I always thought that the Accord Hybrid was a nice car, just it had to be a 4cyl, people buying hybrids are after the fuel economy, not so much performance....
In 2004, Honda released its third hybrid, a gas-electric version of the Accord EX V6 sedan. The car represented a new spin on hybrid powertrains, with the carmaker opting to use supplemental power from the vehicle's battery to enhance performance rather than maximize fuel efficiency.

Where the obvious move would have been to attach its hybrid system to the four-cylinder Accord model—potentially boosting fuel economy from a pedestrian 24 mpg combined rating into the range of other best-in-class mid-size offerings—Honda instead chose to pair the system with a V6 and configure that pairing to provide an additional 15 horsepower to the Accord EX V6's already meaty 240 hp. Fuel efficiency for the vehicle languished at a paltry 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway rating—with the combined number coming in just 1 MPG higher than the base model Accord.

Consumers were not impressed. Honda sold less than 6,000 Accord hybrids in 2006 and less than a year later, the car was canceled. "Hybrid manufacturers have largely been unable to expand the public's perception of hybrids beyond high fuel economy," said Kelley Blue Book's Jack Nerad at the time.

Now comes word from Automotive News that Honda is once again preparing a hybrid version of the Accord. Will the carmaker aim to bring big efficiency gains to the vehicle's 24/31 fuel economy rating, or has it decided that the market is finally ready for a hybrid that boosts power at the expense of substantive fuel economy gains?

With gas prices low, and Toyota recently deciding to go in a similar direction with its new Highlander hybrid SUV, it's possible that performance-oriented hybrids could be making a comeback. But with Honda's green vehicle lineup struggling and the carmaker's own president complaining that company had become "complacent" about new technology in recent years, it's difficult to see how an extra 15 horsepower and 1-2 MPGs could bring Honda back to prominence as a maker of fuel-efficient vehicles.

For now, all that's known is that a new gas-electric Accord is on its way, so we'll have to save our judgments for when more details are available. Hopefully, Honda will be a little more bold with its hybrid this time around.

Source (via autoblog);
http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-preparing-resurrect-accord-hybrid-28644.html

To put it mildly, sales of the Honda Accord Hybrid never quite set the world on fire. Regardless, Japan's second largest automaker is reportedly hard at work developing its proprietary Integrated Motor Assist hybrid platform so that it can once again be used to power larger vehicles like the Accord.

To make it all work out, Honda is adding an extra electric motor to the mix for a total of two, both of which will be more powerful than the single pancake motor used in the current Insight and Civic Hybrid. Also on the menu is a lithium ion battery pack to replace the current nickel metal hydride unit, with added capacity to allow for electric-only operation.

Word on the street (or at least the Nikkei daily newspaper in Japan) is that Honda might place this next-gen hybrid powertrain in a minivan sometime in 2011 or so. Before that, though, we can look forward to the launch of Honda's sporty CR-Z hybrid hatchback. It's important to have your priorities straight, right?

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-honda-plans-a-return-to-larger-hybrids/