Thought on the 1st gen Honda Accord Hybrid

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Not looking to buy one (yet.. ) but has anyone else read up on the 1st gen Honda Accord hybrid? Aside from being an automatic, it looks like it was one sweet car. Partially aluminum body, has the numbers for good performance, yet is backed with fuel saving goodies.

V6 but had cylinder deactivation down to 3 cylinders. 0.29 CD and fuel economy as good as the Civics of the time, yet my guess is that with the IMA and cylinder deactivation it could return some sweet numbers. Even with the IMA disabled it's numbers could still be pretty good probably. Seems mostly just like Honda's "full size" hybrid vs. the Insight and Civic Hybrid. More interior room than a Prius (although I'll grant you a Prius will get a bit better fuel economy).

Too bad it wasn't an I4 hybrid, but it's pretty good fuel economy for a V6. I wonder if lean burn could be programmed into it. Fuelly indicates ~27 MPG real life average for the 1st gen Accord hybrid (26 MPG for the I4 and 24 MPG for the non-hybrid V6), but we know Honda's IMA systems can easily do much better than average.

I want to drive one now just to see what it's like and what kind of MPG I could get.

Anyhoo, all of this rambling from this article I found: https://www.v6performance.net/forums...-overview.html

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan Overview Part 1

From www.hondanews.com

Torrance, Calif. 09/17/2004 --

Introduction

Since the Accord's launch as a compact hatchback car in 1976, it has earned widespread acclaim as a leader in smart design, superb quality and world-class efficiency. In its 28-year history, the Accord has constantly re-invented itself, going from that original compact hatchback to today's premium mid-sized sedan and coupe. The seventh-generation Accord V-6, released in 2003, once again raised the bar for performance, safety and value in the mid-sized segment with a highly efficient and powerful 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower, SOHC VTEC V-6 engine, 4-wheel disc brakes and a standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) on all models, along with standard features such as air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and an AM/FM/CD stereo system. In addition, the 7th-generation Accord was one of the first mid-sized sedans to bring luxury features such as a voice-activated navigation system, XM satellite radio and side curtain airbags to the premium mid-size segment.

In 2005, the Accord further establishes its role as a technology, performance and efficiency leader with the introduction of the Accord Hybrid, the world's first V-6-powered gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Boasting the highest fuel efficiency for a V-6-powered automobile, Accord Hybrid utilizes the third generation of Honda's exclusive Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system featuring new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. By combining a high-output V-6 engine and IMA with VCM, the Accord Hybrid Sedan provides even more power - 255 hp versus 240hp in the regular Accord V-6 Sedan - while improving fuel efficiency to an estimated 29 mpg city / 37 highway - better than virtually all 4-cylinder mid-sized sedans and similar to that of the compact class Civic Sedan, already a benchmark for fuel efficiency in the compact car class.

Accord Sedan Accolades

Car and Driver's 10Best List - The sixth and seventh generations of Accord have a current streak of 5 consecutive years on the publication's annual review of new cars. In total an Accord has been named to the list in 18 of 21 years the magazine has compiled this list, the most of any car in over two decades of the magazine's award.

Code:

Automobile Magazine

50 Hottest New Cars (2003)
Perfect 10 (1996) - One of 10 most significant cars between 1986-1996)

Intellichoice

2003 - Best Overall Value, Mid-sized Car under and over $21,000
2000-2002 - Best Overall Value, Mid-sized Car under and over $20,500

Maxim Magazine 2004 Car of the Year - Accord 6-Speed EX V-6 Coupe

Consumer Digest 2004 Best Buy, Family Car

Edmunds.com

Best Family Car (Comparison Test, 1/2003)
2004 Consumer's Most Wanted - Sedan under $25,000

The Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan is designed to show that a hybrid powertrain can be an important component in the mainstream of America's automotive landscape that provides exceptional fuel economy while still improving power, performance and comfort.

With the introduction of the 2000 Insight - America's first hybrid-powered car and still the leader of the EPA's annual fuel economy ratings - Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid technology. The company followed up the Insight with a hybrid version of America's best-selling small car, the Civic Hybrid, introduced in March 2002 as the first truly mainstream hybrid and the first application of hybrid technology to an existing, high volume vehicle. With the addition of the Accord Hybrid, Honda becomes the only car company in the United States with three hybrid models available to consumers.

While using a more powerful and efficient version of Honda's IMA system, the Accord Hybrid Sedan also incorporates new, leading edge technologies that engineers are also applying to Honda's main line of cars and trucks.

Among these advanced technologies are its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that allows for deactivation of three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising. The system also features an Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) an Active Noise Control (ANC) system to eliminate the potential effects of three-cylinder operation on cabin noise and engine vibration. This same technology is also being applied on the all-new 2005 Odyssey minivan equipped with the available i-VTEC engine. In addition, the Accord hybrid utilizes a dual scroll hybrid air conditioning compressor that is both belt (engine) and electric motor driven, allowing for more efficient operation of the Accord Hybrid's dual zone automatic climate control system even when the engine is in idle stop mode.

Combined, these technologies along with improvements in aerodynamics and weight saving features like an aluminum hood, allow the Accord Hybrid to achieve an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 29 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg highway, up from an EPA-rated 21 city / 30 highway for the Accord EX V-6 Sedan - a fuel economy gain of 43 percent and 23 percent, respectively. The Accord's Integrated Motor Assist System (60%) accounts for over half the gains in city fuel efficiency, while Variable Cylinder Management (15%) and idle stop (25%) is responsible for the rest. During highway cruising, the VCM system (57%) provides the majority of the increase, while IMA (38%) and a lower drag coefficient and greater aerodynamics (5%) also contribute.

Accord Hybrid Highlights

* 3rd-generation Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system
* 3.0L i-VTEC V-6 engine
* Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) - Power Control Unit (PCU), Nickel Metal-Hydride (NiMH) battery pack, internal cooling system
* Idle Stop
* Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)
* Active Control Mount (ACM) engine mount system
* Dual Zone Hybrid Automatic Climate Control System

Unique Accord Hybrid Sedan Features

Exterior:

* Standard rear decklid spoiler
* Aluminum hood
* Unique front grille
* Exclusive, lightweight 16" alloy wheels with larger 215/60 R16 tires
* New combination AM/FM/XM radio antenna

Interior:

* Exclusive IMA digital readout
* Active Noise Control (ANC)
* New, illuminated steering wheel-mounted switches

Mechanical:

* 3.0L i-VTEC V-6 engine
* More powerful IMA system
o 255 hp @ 6000 rpm
o 232 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm
* Hybrid Idle Stop
* Variable Cylinder Management(TM) (VCM(TM))
* Dual scroll hybrid air conditioning compressor
* Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) system
* Modified 5-speed automatic transmission
* Electric Power Steering (EPS)
* Enhanced Traction Control System (TCS) with creep aid system
* Instant mobility flat tire repair system (IMS)

Unlike previous hybrid vehicles from Honda and other manufacturers, though, the focus for the Honda Accord Hybrid is not entirely on high fuel efficiency, but also on high performance. The use of Honda's new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that deactivates the three of V-6 engine's cylinders to save fuel during cruising and deceleration allow Honda engineers to maximize fuel economy while the hybrid IMA system helps to increase peak power by 15 hp and 20 lb.-ft. of torque over the current Accord EX V-6. The Accord Hybrid Sedan improves on the current Accord V-6's 0-60 mph time by half a second (7.5 sec. vs. 8.0 for an Accord EX V-6). In addition, peak torque of 232 lb.-ft @ 5000 rpm is now spread out over a much flatter curve, which makes 90 percent available at engine speeds less than 4000 rpm.