Honda hates the environment! pulling Accord the plug on the hybrid

[Vic]

I can't find Honda's hate for the environment. They had a car that (like all hybrids) cost more in money, energy, and materials to manufacture, and (unlike some other more successful hyrbids) couldn't even hope to recoup those additional costs in its operational lifespan. Seems to me that what Honda did in this case was actually good for the environment. Hopefully, they can come up with a better design in the future.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: Queasy
Still doesn't answer the question of why, if gas mileage is the most important factor in hybrids, they don't just swap out the 6 cylinder engine for a 4 cylinder engine. They're bound to get gas mileage closer to the hybrid Camry then.

Electric motors provide instant torque. They're much better for starting off from a stop than a gas engine is. Look at what your itty-bitty starter motor can do to the engine when starting the car... turns the crank from 0 to 3000-ish all lickity split!

While you're correct that electric motors provide maximum torque from 0 rpm, you're wrong that starter motors turn engines that fast. More like 200-ish rpm, just enough to get the engine going on its own. Your typical starter motor is in the 3 hp range.

And Queasy is right. They should have swapped out the 6 cyl for a 4 banger.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Never sat in a car with heated leather seats at all.

Still doesn't answer the question of why, if gas mileage is the most important factor in hybrids, they don't just swap out the 6 cylinder engine for a 4 cylinder engine. They're bound to get gas mileage closer to the hybrid Camry then.

because honda was trying to do the same thing lexus is doing: make a performance hybrid. people who want mileage hybrids already had the civic, according to honda.

unfortunately, honda never bothered marketing it, and probably came up against all the pre-conceived notions that people have of hybrids (that they're for mileage). it was also expensive.

as my old roommate (who flew to arizona to buy a prius, yeah, really environmentally friendly move) said to his father when his father bought an RX400h, "you're missing the point of a hybrid, they're not supposed to be for performance.'

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Vic
While you're correct that electric motors provide maximum torque from 0 rpm, you're wrong that starter motors turn engines that fast. More like 200-ish rpm, just enough to get the engine going on its own. Your typical starter motor is in the 3 hp range.

I didn't suspect that they did everything themselves as there has to be ignition from the get-go or else the engine won't run, but I didn't suspect it to be that low 😱. Them things spin with quite a bit of power if you take 'em out and connect them to an alternate battery source (did this once to test the starter when the car wouldn't start... who woulda thunk that the clutch "switch" was stuck 😛). Could just be my idea of power is a bit distorted from having too few examples to base it on as I wasn't able to find any concrete examples of power output from the motors in a quick search, so I'll take your word for it 😉.

I don't know... you could have the power and still "feel good" with a V6 Accord hybrid 😛.

 

[Jeff7]

I can see why. 31mpg? For an expensive hybrid??? I paid $5000 in 2000 for a rebuilt 1997 Hyundai Elantra GLS, and it gets 30-35mpg, depending on how much cargo it's carrying.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: waggy
another trib link

the Accord was overpriced for what you get. I wouldn't have paid the extra $6 grand for it. though i wouldn't mind a small high MPG car.

I don't think the Accord Hybrid is either small or High MPG

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
the toyota Camry hybrid was much better. If you had to pick, i'm sure most of them went for the Camry.

And the Altima Hybrid is better value than both the Camry and Accord, but people are all about image. It actually gets acceptable mileage for a hybrid...

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: waggy

The Accord's combined city-highway mileage of 31 miles per gallon is respectable for any car but hardly in the same league with the Prius at 55 mpg or Honda's own Civic hybrid at 50 mpg.

:laugh:

I get >30mpg in pure city mileage with my 8 year-old petrol beater. WTF were they smoking?!

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: maddogchen
the toyota Camry hybrid was much better. If you had to pick, i'm sure most of them went for the Camry.

And the Altima Hybrid is better value than both the Camry and Accord, but people are all about image. It actually gets acceptable mileage for a hybrid...

there's an altima hybrid? didn't know that. i've never seen any marketing for that.

 

[Looney]

Sensationalize articles much?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: maddogchen
the toyota Camry hybrid was much better. If you had to pick, i'm sure most of them went for the Camry.

And the Altima Hybrid is better value than both the Camry and Accord, but people are all about image. It actually gets acceptable mileage for a hybrid...

The Altima hybrid is Toyota-sourced technology, and it gets almost the exact same mileage as the Camry. EPA rates them both as 34 combined.

 

[Fenixgoon]

go diesel go!

now, where's my Audi R8 TDI? 😀😀

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: maddogchen
the toyota Camry hybrid was much better. If you had to pick, i'm sure most of them went for the Camry.

And the Altima Hybrid is better value than both the Camry and Accord, but people are all about image. It actually gets acceptable mileage for a hybrid...

The Altima hybrid is Toyota-sourced technology, and it gets almost the exact same mileage as the Camry. EPA rates them both as 34 combined.

No they don't...

Despite being Toyota sourced it gets better mileage with a more powerful engine/motor combo...

http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicle/midcar-07.htm

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
The Altima hybrid is Toyota-sourced technology, and it gets almost the exact same mileage as the Camry. EPA rates them both as 34 combined.

I believe that's also for the 2007 year only. If I remember correctly, the 2008 model year will have Nissan's own hybrid technology in it. That really could go either way as it technically would be an unproven technology. But if you take their award winning engine work into consideration (VQ anyone), it could be good!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: maddogchen
the toyota Camry hybrid was much better. If you had to pick, i'm sure most of them went for the Camry.

And the Altima Hybrid is better value than both the Camry and Accord, but people are all about image. It actually gets acceptable mileage for a hybrid...

The Altima hybrid is Toyota-sourced technology, and it gets almost the exact same mileage as the Camry. EPA rates them both as 34 combined.

No they don't...

Despite being Toyota sourced it gets better mileage with a more powerful engine/motor combo...

http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicle/midcar-07.htm

Those are the old EPA ratings. New ones are available at http://www.fueleconomy.org

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
wrong, diesels will be out either late this year or early next year. 2008 model years

I think the only one with a confirmed 2008 model year engine (I say engine, since it will be used in a few vehicles) that will be 50 state legal is VW. Honda might not be ready until the 2009 model year.

 

[zinfamous]

no sh1t...when you design a V6 hybrid that gets the same gas mileage of a normal V4...I always wondered who was the jackass in charge of design on that vehicle

 

[JulesMaximus]

Not surprising, that car was ridiculously overpriced. I saw one at my local Honda dealer and the sticker was like $33k fully loaded. Hell, you could buy a Lexus IS250 for that which gets 32mpg freeway and mid 20s city driving.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Hybrid gas / electricity really doesn't make sense unless you are using it in small cars. A V6 is to much for the technology. 3 and 4 cylinders engines make much more sense.

 

[Random Variable]

Do U.S. refineries have the capability to produce significantly more diesel fuel if lots of people start driving cars than run on diesel?

 

[smitbret]

Most of the mainstream non-domestic manufacturers (Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, VW) are all steering away from the hybirds in favor of diesel powered vehicles. The domestics will probably catch up in a few years. You'll probable see a few more hybrids discontinued in the next year or so with very few new ones being introduced.
-Brett

 

[chris7b]

would have done better if the Accord had a 4cyl hybrid like the camry. I've seen so many camry hybrids lately. Sales have really picked up! Seems sensless when the 4cyl accord does as well as the hybrid and costs 10K less.

 

[IGBT]

..not cost effective.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
the toyota Camry hybrid was much better. If you had to pick, i'm sure most of them went for the Camry.

I did, the accord wasn't even a consideration. I went with a hybrid only because my company gave me 3K towards one, so that made up the price difference between standard and the hybrid.

 

[djheater]

It's like you saw the opporunity for a really clever pun in your title.. couldn't pull it off so just threw the words in there anyway thinking maybe it would come out ok...