Honda to debut 3L gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle in '04

[Doggiedog]

Honda Motor Co. (7267.TO) will release a three-liter-class
hybrid passenger car powered by a gasoline engine and an electric motor as
early as next year, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Thursday morning
edition.
The move is expected to heighten the competition among top automakers to take
the lead in development of hybrid automobiles. Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.TO)
already has plans to roll out a hybrid version of its 3-liter-class RX330 sport
utility vehicle as early as the second half of next year.
Honda will install a hybrid system in one of its three-liter, six-cylinder
models now in production, possibly the MDX SUV, the Accord or a higher-class
sedan. The new hybrid car will be marketed in Japan and North America.
Performance is expected to be increased by 10%-20% and be on a par with that
of 3.5-liter-class vehicles because the addition of an electric motor will
boost power. Fuel efficiency will also be improved by 30%-40%. The price may be
set 20%-30% above those of regular models, but Honda believes that this can be
offset by advanced road performance, improved fuel efficiency and environmental
friendliness.

 

[LordThing]

That's what I would love to see. Now make a truck version.....nice tacoma 4cyl with electric assist. Getting in the lower 30s in gas milage.

 

[RU482]

doesn't seems like a good idea to me, but then again, I'm not the #1 manufacturer of cars in the US either

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: LordThing
That's what I would love to see. Now make a truck version.....nice tacoma 4cyl with electric assist. Getting in the lower 30s in gas milage.

No. Make it a V6 and still get lower 30s gas mileage. A big SUV is overtaxing a 4 cylinder, and it's not like the electric motor is always running to help it.

 

[ElFenix]

3L class != 3L engine

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: redly1
doesn't seems like a good idea to me, but then again, I'm not the #1 manufacturer of cars in the US either

And neither is Honda IIRC.

 

[LordThing]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: LordThing
That's what I would love to see. Now make a truck version.....nice tacoma 4cyl with electric assist. Getting in the lower 30s in gas milage.

No. Make it a V6 and still get lower 30s gas mileage. A big SUV is overtaxing a 4 cylinder, and it's not like the electric motor is always running to help it.

Well, of course...Shoot, I would love a throaty V-8 with electric assist that got in the lower 30s, but I don't see that happening. If they would couple it with a v6 that pulls around 200+ horses and still gets the lower 30s, I would be on it like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

Edit: BTW, the Tacoma is the mid/compact sized truck in their line-up and comes standard with a 4cyl already, IIRC. If they could "power assist" it with a 70hp electric motor, I think it would kick mucho-@sso.

 

[m2kewl]

i'm all for it, if it will enhance fuel efficiency and performance. not a big suv fan so i'd like to see it on an accord.

 

[StageLeft]

An Evo will still smoke it on the skidpad 😀

 

[malbojah]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
An Evo will still smoke it on the skidpad 😀

My manager can attest to this (Just bought an Evo last week)

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: redly1
doesn't seems like a good idea to me, but then again, I'm not the #1 manufacturer of cars in the US either

And neither is Honda IIRC.

Ah yes, but they're close, as is Toyota, who is also hybridizing a 3-liter class.

I fail to understand the benefit vs cost ratio of this

 

[Eli]

Schweet.

Originally posted by: redly1

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: redly1
doesn't seems like a good idea to me, but then again, I'm not the #1 manufacturer of cars in the US either

And neither is Honda IIRC.

Ah yes, but they're close, as is Toyota, who is also hybridizing a 3-liter class.

I fail to understand the benefit vs cost ratio of this

It's an investment in the future.