Honda Announces Pricing for Redesigned 2006 Accord

[Variance]

High performance hybrid provides lower emissions with new features and additional refinement for 2006

TORRANCE, Calif. 02/01/2006 -- The redesigned 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid is debuting at dealerships nationwide with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $30,990, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Accord Hybrid receives an extensive face lift for 2006 as well as a host of new features and enhancements, highlighted by a better emissions rating (now AT-PZEV/Tier-2 bin2, previously ULEV-2/Tier-2 bin5), new exterior and interior styling, a power moonroof and more.

Now in its second year, the Accord Hybrid gains the same improvements as all 2006 Accords and more exclusive features that help to further differentiate it from other Accord models. Additionally, several new standard features have been added including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and a temporary-use spare tire.

The Accord Hybrid utilizes Honda's third-generation of the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system in combination with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder deactivation technology to deliver high levels of fuel efficiency for a V6 engine - on par with a 4-cylinder mid-size sedan - along with highly responsive and powerful V6 performance. The 3.0-liter V6 engine with IMA is rated at 253 horsepower (SAE net rev. 8/04*) and achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25/34 city/highway miles per gallon.

"We've listened to our customers and added the features they told us they wanted," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "The Accord Hybrid is unique in that it delivers performance and environmental responsibility without compromising one for the other."

Safety for Everyone

In keeping with Honda's industry-leading 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, all Accord Hybrids also come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features including dual-stage, dual-threshold driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, first and second row side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes (ABS). Like all V6-equipped Accords, the Accord Hybrid receives Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) for the 2006 model year.

Exclusive Exterior

New for 2006, the exterior of the Accord Hybrid has several enhancements that further distinguish it from other Accords. A rear deck lid spoiler and specially-designed alloy wheels are unique to Accord Hybrid and contribute to its improved aerodynamic performance. Other unique features include heated side mirrors with built-in turn signals, antenna, and an exclusive taillight design with an upper clear lens.

Two exclusive exterior colors are available: Silver Frost Metallic and Premium White Pearl.

Premium Interior

The Accord Hybrid comes equipped with a high level of premium features and equipment including a leather interior with heated front seats, dual zone automatic climate control, 8-way power driver's seat, XM® Satellite Radio® (includes free activation and 3 months free service, excluding Alaska and Hawaii) and a 6-disc CD changer. New for 2006, a power moonroof is standard equipment on all Accord Hybrids. The Accord Hybrid's instrument panel incorporates an exclusive meter display that shows key operating indicators of the IMA system, including the state of the IMA battery charge, the level of IMA motor assist or regeneration, and a light to indicate Idle Stop mode. An "ECO" light indicates when the vehicle is achieving a high level of fuel economy.

Lightweight and Efficient Construction

To assist with overall fuel efficiency and maintain precise and responsive handling, the Accord Hybrid utilizes a number of exclusive weight saving features including a lightweight aluminum hood and bumper beams (front and rear), along with a magnesium engine head cover and dual-stage intake manifold. Other fuel saving features include an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system and an efficient dual scroll "hybrid" air conditioning compressor.

High Performance Hybrid Powertrain

The 3.0-liter V6 engine with IMA is rated at 253 horsepower (SAE net rev. 8/04*), which is 9 more horsepower than the gasoline-only 3.0-liter V6 Accord and 87 more horsepower than a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Accord. Meanwhile, the Accord Hybrid's EPA-estimated fuel economy of 25/34 miles per gallon city/highway is similar to a 4-cylinder Accord and 5 miles per gallon better in both city and highway driving than the gasoline-only V6 Accord. In addition to being the most powerful and fuel efficient Accord available, the Accord Hybrid also has the added distinction of being among the cleanest Accords ever, achieving California Air Resources Board AT-PZEV certification and EPA Tier-2 bin2 certification.

The Accord Hybrid produces 253 horsepower* at 6000 rpm and 232 lb-ft. of torque* at 5000 rpm. The IMA system's 12-kilowatt, high-output, electric motor contributes torque during hard acceleration and recaptures kinetic energy generated during deceleration and braking for storage in the advanced nickel-metal hydride battery pack. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Pricing Details

Pricing starts at $30,990 for the Accord Hybrid. Models equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Activation have a suggested retail price of $32,290. Destination and handling charges for all 2006 Honda vehicles are $550.

Link: http://hondanews.com/CatID1000?mid=2006013162849&mime=asc

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Please note the plunge in EPA estimated fuel economy:

2005 Accord Hybrid: 29/37 mpg

2006 Accord Hybrid: 25/34 mpg

Which may be partly thanks to a rise in weight:

2005 Accord Hybrid: 3501 lb

2006 Accord Hybrid: 3589 lb

So while the new Accord Hybrid may be cleaner (emissions-wise), it seems to be less economical.

Edited February 1, 2006 by Variance

[Flybrian]

88lbs = a 3-4mpg drop in economy? So, what happens when people sit in it?

Seriously, aside from emissions, this seems like a very inadequate car. 25/34 is on city mpg more than a 4cyl Accord stick and not much more than V6 Accords (21/30 stick & 20/29 auto). Is this car that much more expensive than a comparably-equipped V6 Accord, because if so, what's the point?

I'm believing more and more that hybrids aren't two $h!s about saving gas; they're about emissions but moreover a testbed for all these new engine management electronics. I believe JDM hybrids advertise their remarkably advanced electronics and nothinga bout fuel savings.

[pow]

Wow, those are horrific numbers.

[sciguy_0504]

Fly, Honda uses a different hybrid system than Toyota and Ford use. It is not a "full" hybrid, meaning it cannot run on battery power alone under a certain MPH. The battery just helps with acceleration and adds power without dropping fuel economy.

[Variance]

Wow, those are horrific numbers.

Yes, in fact...

Prius: 60/51

Insight (CVT): 57/56

Camry Hybrid (new): 43/37

Escape Hybrid (FWD): 36/31

RX400h (FWD): 28/33

Highlander Hybrid (FWD): 28/33

Accord Hybrid: 25/34

Silverado Hybrid: 18/21

Congrats, Accord Hybrid. You've beaten the Silverado Hybrid. You're only the worst hybrid car at fuel-saving. Not saying much as the worst hybrid is mated with a V8 engine.

[Variance]

Fly, Honda uses a different hybrid system than Toyota and Ford use.  It is not a "full" hybrid, meaning it cannot run on battery power alone under a certain MPH.  The battery just helps with acceleration and adds power without dropping fuel economy.

This I'm aware of but personally I wouldn't be knocking the car so much if it hadn't suffered such a drastic drop in economy compared to the previous one.

[sciguy_0504]

Have the new EPA testing guidelines gone into effect so soon?

[Variance]

Have the new EPA testing guidelines gone into effect so soon?

No but that's my point: Improved (according to Honda) hybrid system + same EPA test + 88 lb weight increase = better emissions but 4 city mpg and 3 hwy mpg drop in fuel economy??

In comparison, the Lexus 400h AWD suffers only a 2/1 drop in MPG with a 175 lb weight gain over the FWD version.

[regfootball]

Accord Hybrid: 25/34

doesn't the four cylinder version get better mpg?

[Variance]

Accord Hybrid: 25/34

doesn't the four cylinder version get better mpg?

Automatic to automatic, no but as Fly said, it's barely better:

I-4 Accord: 24/34

With a manual, I-4 city mileage goes up to 26.

I will give Honda credit for getting V6 power with I-4 economy but still, compared to other hybrids it's somewhat disappointing.

[siegen]

Hey, at least it's not another Toyota thread!

The Accord Hybrid is not designed to get great mileage like the other hybrids. Like it said in the article, it is designed to get the economy of a 4cyl with the power of a 6cyl. And it does just that, with even better performance than the 6cyl version. 25/34 isn't great for a hybrid, but it is for a loaded V6 with a lot of grunt. What's the deal with the big drop from last year? I doubt the drop will show up so much in real world conditions, since not much changed between the years.

[caddycruiser]

Though I still think the Accord Hybrid is a pretty nice ride, and the extra electric power combined with the gas engine makes it quite quick, but strangely enough, even the first year '05 models didn't seem to sell all that quickly...you can still find, randomly, NEW leftover '05 Hybrid models on dealer lots and Ebay.

A nice design, but not one that seems to have much of a following.

[siegen]

Fly, Honda uses a different hybrid system than Toyota and Ford use.  It is not a "full" hybrid, meaning it cannot run on battery power alone under a certain MPH.  The battery just helps with acceleration and adds power without dropping fuel economy.

It is just as much a hybrid as a Prius is, it just goes about it in a very different way. Who defined what a "full hybrid" is anyway?

For those interested (about the 4cyl IMA, which shouldn't be too different than the Accord V6, other than no VCM). Don't let the music put you to sleep :AH-HA_wink:

[Flybrian]

It is just as much a hybrid as a Prius is, it just goes about it in a very different way. Who defined what a "full hybrid" is anyway?

There are two kinds of hybrids - series and parallel. Series hybrids are essentially multiple independent sources of power. You see that on diesel/electric submarines and locomotives. Parallel hybrids are linked through one transmission or driveshaft.

Of parallels, there are generally four - full (or strong), assist, mild, and plug-in. Plug-ins are the weakest as they...plug-in the recharge.

Mild hybrids are those like the Silverado/Sierra which essentially have oversized starters that allow the engine to be turned off when coasting, braking, or at a stop as well as run accessories.

Assist hybrids are found on Fords and Hondas and are where the gas engine is the primary powerplant and the electric motor adds torque and power when needed. These also cannot run on electric power alone.

Full or Strong hybrids are like the Prius, forthcoming Tahoe, and GMC Graphyte concept and can run on the gas engine, electric motor, or both. So, he's not implying the Honda system is 'half' or 'weak;' that's just what its called.

[siegen]

There are two kinds of hybrids - series and parallel. Series hybrids are essentially multiple independent sources of power. You see that on diesel/electric submarines and locomotives. Parallel hybrids are linked through one transmission or driveshaft.

Of parallels, there are generally four - full (or strong), assist, mild, and plug-in. Plug-ins are the weakest as they...plug-in the recharge.

Mild hybrids are those like the Silverado/Sierra which essentially have oversized starters that allow the engine to be turned off when coasting, braking, or at a stop as well as run accessories.

Assist hybrids are found on Fords and Hondas and are where the gas engine is the primary powerplant and the electric motor adds torque and power when needed. These also cannot run on electric power alone.

Full or Strong hybrids are like the Prius, forthcoming Tahoe, and GMC Graphyte concept and can run on the gas engine, electric motor, or both. So, he's not implying the Honda system is 'half' or 'weak;' that's just what its called.

Thank you.

I just want to add, that the new IMA can run on the electric engine alone, utilizing the 3-stage vtec - the engine can be shut off and valves kept closed to eliminate pumping losses (as described in the video). I don't know if they have this on the Accord. I doubt the electric motor, being so small, can accelerate the car swiftly from a stop, at least not as swiftly as the Prius.

Edit: Apparently, the weight gain in the Accord (all 80 lbs of it) put it in a different testing bracket. I'm not sure entirely how that works, but the tests were more harsh, and the real world performance will not change at all compared to last years model.

Edited February 1, 2006 by siegen

[Guest Josh]

And this got car of the year??

[pow]

And this got car of the year??

No?