Honda’s last attempt at a large hybrid vehicle didn’t exactly go as planned – with the company pulling the plug on the Accord Hybrid in 2007 — but the Japanese automaker is planning a second go at the segment with a much improved hybrid system.
The Accord Hybrid was perhaps ahead of its time – offering more performance than the gas-only Accord with only slight bump in overall fuel economy – prompting Honda to develop a more conventional system for its next-generation of large hybrid offerings. Honda engineers are now working on the company’s next-generation hybrid systems, which will feature two electric motors – rather than Honda’s current single motor setup – allowing for greater electric power.
“That is one major initiative we are working on,” Tsuneo Tanai, COO of automobile operations at Honda, told Automotive News. “The motor will have higher output. There will be dual motors, with a larger battery that enables the car to be driven in all-electric mode.”
Honda has yet to announce any large hybrid models in the pipeline, but it is believed that a hybrid version of the Odyssey minivan is in the works. A replacement for the now defunct Accord Hybrid also seems like a distinct possibility, especially given the popularity of the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the recently launched Ford Fusion Hybrid.
Although Honda’s next-generation hybrid technology promises to be more fuel efficient than its current hybrid system, the Japanese automaker might not completely abandon its single motor setup. Honda is working to retrofit its current system with lithium-ion batteries which could significantly boost efficiency while keeping costs in check.
10/27, 11:00 AM
posted by:
A4
The Accord Hybrid was probably the only hybrid on the market that I would have actually considered. The car wasn’t too big, it was very fast, and it looked sharp.
10/27, 11:03 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
A4 you actually said something intelligent for a change I better mark that down whew. I thought you had given up the ghost for insanity. Yes this Larger Honda Hybrid will be a nice new edition to Honda’s line up. I would get one
10/27, 11:05 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
But Kudos to both Ford Mord Fusion Hybrid and Tesla’s S Sedan
10/27, 11:09 AM
posted by:
A4
I guess correcting you on your continued improper use of word-capitalization just isn’t something intelligent.
Right?
10/27, 11:15 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
A4 I would put you to shame on the correct use and puncuation of the english language. As for my capitalization there is nothing incorrect with my use of capitalization to emphasize my point ok. So back off jack off
10/27, 11:30 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Always nice to see that image again of the Honda with the big overbite grille. Adds a nice laugh to the morning. A hybrid minivan sounds interesting. Hope we don’t just get stuck with a hybrid Accord CrossTour thing
10/27, 11:50 AM
posted by:
Borat
Not a bad looking wagon, except it looks like a beaver. Beaver, hmm, I like beaver……….
10/27, 11:57 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Borat, if that one tooth is good enough you won’t even need the beaver.
10/27, 12:00 PM
posted by:
Borat
association, Johnny, association. That tooth looked shaved also!
10/27, 12:20 PM
posted by:
armstealer
Honda should skip Hybrids and go straight to magically powered vehicles. They MUST have invented magic in Japan by now… no? Maybe the Chinese have it, they do have “rain rockets” after all…
B09- I count 3 typos in your post “putting A4 to shame”. If you can correct them yourself, I won’t bash you from now until eternity about it.
10/27, 12:59 PM
posted by:
Szabla
A day without a dose of Johnny and A4 is a day in darkness……..
Keep this car, lose the beak.
10/27, 2:08 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
I don’t care what Honda does as long as they don’t put THAT nose on ANY car EVER.
10/27, 2:20 PM
posted by:
Borat
Com’n 2 wheel. Look at it. Does it look like a cuter little beaver? Don’t you like little beaver? Ok, if you shave it?
10/27, 3:50 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
It’s the GM dustbuster minivan reborn!
10/27, 7:58 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
A cute beaver? No. It looks like an angry beaver that wants to gnaw my legs off. Actually, kind of a psychotic beaver. It’s smiling and grimacing at the same time.
Two electric motors sounds cool. It seems like they are adopting a mix between the current hybrid drive technology and Audi’s E-tron technology.
10/27, 8:03 PM
posted by:
A4
Hey! You made one whole post without screwing up! Nice job.
10/28, 12:48 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
No, he didn’t.