Honda Accord Hybrid

Specifications:

Manufacturer Honda
Production 2005–2007
Assembly Sayama, Japan
SuccessorHonda FCX Clarity,Honda Accord Diesel
Class Mid-size
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
Layout FF layout
Engine(s) 3.0L V6
Transmission(s) 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase 107.9 in (2741 mm)
Length 2005: 189.5 in (4813 mm)
2006-07: 191.1 in (4854 mm)
Width 2005: 71.4 in (1814 mm)
2006-07: 71.7 in (1821 mm)
Height 2005: 57.0 in (1448 mm)
2006-07: 57.2 in (1453 mm)

The Honda Accord Hybrid is a Hybrid vehicle version of the North American Honda Accord. It became the company's third hybrid when the 2005 model was introduced in late 2004, following the Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid is priced US$3,000 higher than the EX V6 model Accord, and retains the same trim and feature levels (with the deletion of the power sunroof). Honda has positioned the Accord Hybrid at the top of its (non-Acura) lineup.

While this new vehicle shares the same displacement as the regular seventh generation Accord V6 powerplant, the engine in the Hybrid is derived from the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and can shut off 3 of the 6 cylinders under certain conditions for better fuel economy (a technology that Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)). The new engine features iVTEC technology and drives a new compact transmission. Power is up from 240 to 255 hp (179 to 190 kW) and torque rose from 212 to 232 ft·lbf (287 to 315 N·m). Fuel economy was originally estimated at 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) city and 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) highway, but was later changed to 25 city, 34 highway, after Honda's addition of standard sunroof and spare tire (not included on the 2005 model) bumped the car to a higher weight class for EPA mileage testing. The 2006 model has also been rated an AT-PZEV vehicle. AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) is an emissions standard created by the California Air Resources Board.



Honda puts the emphasis on performance and targets high-end buyers. Unlike traditional hybrid designs, the new Accord hybrid uses a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Together with the Integrated Motor Assist, the hybrid version is a slightly higher performance car than the conventional V6-engined Accord.

2006 US-spec Accord Hybrid

The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan is also 4 inches (102 mm) longer than the 2005 Accord Sedan. The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan comes in four colors: Graphite Pearl, Desert Mist Metallic, Silver Frost Metallic, and Taffeta White. For 2006, the Accord Hybrid comes standard with Vehicle Stability Assist, and like the conventional US-spec Accord, received a minor exterior facelift. Accord Hybrids from model year 2006 and up can be identified by the amber rear turn signals whereas their fully gasoline counterparts have red rear turn signals.

According to Consumer Reports, the Accord Hybrid only averages 1 MPG better than the regular Accord in their fuel economy tests.

Honda has announced that there will be no hybrid version when the next generation is launched in 2008; instead, there will be a diesel model. Another replacement for the Accord Hybrid is the mid-size Honda FCX Clarity, with the production model to debut at the 2007-08 Los Angeles Auto Show. Both the FCX Clarity and Accord Diesel will debut as 2009 models. The Accord hybrid sold 25,000 since 2004, and 6,100 of the 2007 model

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