A big savings from the Accord is its ability to turn off the engine during
stop and go traffic. If it requires the electric motor to do that (which I
assume it does), calling it a hybrid is reasonable. I remember a decade or
so ago, Volkswagon promised to produce a car that shut off its engine during
stop and go driving. To my knowledge it never happened.


<dimndsonmywndshld@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1139487955.364284.79790@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com...
> Kevin McMurtrie wrote:
>>snip
>>
>> It's interesting that the IMA system is less powerful now. I think it's
>> time to stop calling the Accord a hybrid. The electric motor is all
>> about stabilizing the engine during mode changes, and providing power to
>> the electric A/C. Its effect on the drivetrain is almost nothing in
>> such a heavy car.
>
> I agree. If the electric motor can't run the car by itself, it
> shouldn't be called a hybrid. Perhaps Honda engineers called it
> "assist" but Honda marketing insisted on the hybrid moniker?
>
> Toyota's 2007 Camry hybrid may be a more interesting model and 192 hp
> is more than adequate. Price and real-world mpg are still unknows. As
> evidence that the hybrid craze has abated, my local Toyota store
> (CARMAX) has 4 Prius in stock, two at $22,308 and two at $25,318. None
> priced higher. At about $22K the Prius is a pretty attractive deal for
> those who use the car in the city and want to send a one-fingered
> salute to the oil industry. The Prius works on the highway (my cousin
> consistently gets 50+ mpg) for those willing to keep the speed down
> (*everyone* passes my cousin).
>