Honda accord hybrid 49/45/47 mpg ymmv

Sorry, I was thinking about something else and see these 1st generation, hybrids from 'the honorable competition' as starting to get a clue about how the Prius works. IMHO, they are finally worthy competition for our 2003 Prius. Regardless, I failed to show the association of this Honda hybrid to the Prius technology and that was my mistake.

If you would like to continue the techical discussion, I''ve pasted the same text in the Gen III Fuel Economy forum.

Bob Wilson

 

Isn't the Accord Hybrid gas engine going to have work more than a Hybrid Synergy Drive gas engine to power the car? Accord Hybrid sets off on battery power to some speed, then gas engine works full time: 1) As gas generator to power motor to wheels 2) As high speed engine linked to wheels by clutch.

Hybrid Synergy Drive gas engine works less than Honda Sport Hybrid gas engine because HSD can blend gas and electric power, correct? Also, the Accord Hybrid gas engine is only 2.0 L while Camry hybrid is 2.5L. Seems Accord Hybrid might be more pokey on the road.

 

In Japan. Not here until October.

 

Tech tidbit in Motortrend on Accord Hybrid arriving October 2013: It has no transmission. Engine, motor and wheels have a fixed ratio. Same for the Accord Plug-in. I think it said the hybrid's engine clutches to the wheels over 43 MPH.

 

The "First Drive" article I just read at Motortrend says "the engine is mated to a six-speed CVT".


2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Japan Spec First Drive - Motor Trend

 

6 speed continuously variable transmission?

 

I'll wait until they announce a price and then I'll give you my opinion initial opinion.

 

(CVT: Never mind. Now I remember.)

Initial reviews of the plug-in were pretty good for driving. We'll see about the hybrid.

Still, show me the money.

 

That's the non-hybrid.

The hybrid and plugin version has the two motor eCVT. It doesn't have PSD but instead a clutch to transmit engine power to the wheels.

Very helpful illustration at 4:35 in the video.

 

I'm still confused about how the new hybrid system works. If someone knows of a good technical description in English I'd love to read it.

The Motortrend article I linked to earlier is only about the new 2014 non-plug Accord Hybrid. That article says:

And...

That sounds like a mechanical CVT but the Japanese video clip above says E-CVT. Motortrend is probably just confused....

 

In layman's term, it operates like 3 different cars:

Tradition Gas car - It is a single gear direct mechanical gas engine driving the wheels. This is what Honda is calling it Engine Drive. It is like an overdrive gear to handle highway speed cruising (>62 mph).

Series Hybrid - Gas engine turns the generator to power the traction motor, in series power flow arranagement. This mode handles acceleration for mid speed where more power is needed that battery cannot supply. Honda calls it Hybrid Drive.

EV - The battery powers the traction motor for low speed. Honda calls it EV Drive.

For all speeds, the gear ratio does not change. Torque at the wheel is adjusted with electricity (rather than mechanical ratio), controlled infinitely variable - just like HSD, which is why they are calling it eCVT.

 

Interesting article. Awfully bold claim of 'Prius beating' mileage.

Customers will look at trunk space. I think the reason liftback Prius is so popular is battery is so well hidden.

I sure wonder if they are planning two trims or just one trim North of $34k ... hmmm.

Probably the most exciting thing is Honda is known to emphasize cars that are also pleasing and good all-around to drive. Well, at least I'm interested in that.

I really hope it pans out and is reliable.

 

Motortrends's tech tidbit in 2014 models issue states Accord Hybrid gets cost and weight savings due to no geared transmission. I hope it can get a 44 EPA combined rating and come in about 42 to 3 on fuelly. .... And not lose too much trunk space or pass through.

Will there be a lower 'Hybrid' trim with fabric and no nav for Accord Hybrid, like for Civic?
28.x sticker, chose between that with 45 ish combined or conventional EX-L no nav at 28.x .... we'll see.

 

my wife got 47 mpg on her first hycam tank. the second was 42 in the heat and i was disappointed. but it's cooled off and after 200 miles, she told me she's upto 50! you could have knocked me over with a feather.

 

Honda is portraying Accord Hybrid driving all over town in EV mode. Hmmm. I wonder how it can accelerate with traffic around our suburbs in EV. Then they show it on open windy roads in hybrid mode, then highway in engine mode. I'm really wondering how this thing is going to be so efficient.