I tried the Honda Accord V-6 Hybrid the other night.
Very strong acceleration, well beyond needs.
What was cool:
-stop at a light, engine shut off; let go of brake, engine starts smoothly and immediately.
-cruise at 120 km/h, three cylinders shut off (little light on dash "ECO" turns on).
-let off gas during cruise and you could feel the electic motor "drag" as it generated electricity for the battery.
-apply brakes, and even more energy was diverted to the motor/generator.
(There's a little meter bar that shows when the battery is discharging or recharging)
What was not cool:
- automatic transmission
- ... and not so well programmed at that
- 3 litre engine
- no fold down rear seats (the battery is there)
- 253 total HP.... what's economical about that?
- does not qualify for the Quebec hybrid rebate (misses the mileage goal)
-stopped the car in "D", engine stops. Shifted to "P" and the engine started up again. Should have remained off, IMO. I guess it's the way this is mechanized that allowed the engine to restart.
- price ($39,400 in Canada, $31,000 in the US). The CAD $ is running 89 - 90 cents these days... I could probably talk them down a couple K on the car; and up a couple K on the trade in, but it's still not worth it to me.
I take it that they put in a 6 banger in order to get 3 cylinder cruise on the highway, and that this might not have worked well with a 4 banger. Why not a 5 banger? Why not a smaller displacement 6 banger? I simply can't believe that a Honda Accord really needs 200 HP, never minf
253 with the assist.
Any Canadians here who can explain the price differential (US / CAD) that is way beyond the exchange rate?
Cheers, Alan FreeLunch.