Honda Announces Pricing for Redesigned 2006 Accord Hybrid

[NYCshopper]

Honda Announces Pricing for Redesigned 2006 Accord Hybrid

February 1, 2006 -- TORRANCE, Calif. -- 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(R) Satellite Radio(R) (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.

*For the 2006 model year, all Honda horsepower and torque specifications have been updated to reflect revised Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1349 (Rev 8/04) net calculations that went into affect in January of 2005. These new calculations reflect a number of significant changes in the way horsepower and torque are measured and may cause SAE net horsepower and torque totals published in 2006 media materials to differ from the figures published in previous years. To avoid confusion, all 2006 Honda press materials will specify "SAE net (Rev 8/04") after all horsepower and torque figures to denote adherence to the new standards.

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[WagonMonster]

I hate hate hate the rear end.

Too bad, because it's a great car.

[scott_gunn]

$30k for an Accord? Hybrid or not, that seems expensive to me!

[sasquatch95]

the styling of the 4-door accords just looks so awkward. Those hybrid numbers don't even look that great.

[HEDXTM]

Too much $$ in my opinion.

[scrwrx]

Originally Posted by WagonMonster

I hate hate hate the rear end.

Too bad, because it's a great car.

thats funy cuz i hate the front end. the whole car looks like crap and $30k

[Hazdaz]

25/34 city/highway in a fully-loaded mid-sized car that has 253 hp and goes 0-60 in 6.7 seconds and you guys are complaining about it?!?!
(actually the '05 did it in 6.7 seconds, so the '06 might be faster)



Hell a regular gasoline-only Accord, when fully equiped runs almost $30k, so this hybrid going for only $31k is a killer deal - this just shows you how far hybrid technology has come - the price premium that they command has come down dramatically.... (and once agian Detroit is napping, while the Japanese are on their 3rd or 4th generation technology)

[Impresario]

Originally Posted by Hazdaz

25/34 city/highway in a fully-loaded mid-sized car that has 253 hp and goes 0-60 in 6.7 seconds and you guys are complaining about it?!?!
(actually the '05 did it in 6.7 seconds, so the '06 might be faster)



Hell a regular gasoline-only Accord, when fully equiped runs almost $30k, so this hybrid going for only $31k is a killer deal - this just shows you how far hybrid technology has come - the price premium that they command has come down dramatically.... (and once agian Detroit is napping, while the Japanese are on their 3rd or 4th generation technology)

I agree. That car is badass for a midsize sedan.
Considering the level of technology on that car, it's a steal.

[el~sharko]

I will trade the 60hp for 18mpg more and spring for the hybrid camry with much better looks and bluetooth.

[scott_gunn]

Originally Posted by Hazdaz

... - the price premium that they command has come down dramatically.... (and once agian Detroit is napping, while the Japanese are on their 3rd or 4th generation technology)

Doesn't Detroit have the smallest price premium on hybrids (Green Line VUE, Escape/Tribute)? I may be wrong, but I think the Green Line VUE is by far the lowest price premium for a hybrid. (27/32 MPG, $23k for a 274hp SUV).

[Hazdaz]

You mean the Vue which uses Toyota hybrid technology?

This is how far Detroit has fallen behind - they have to license the next-gen technology from their biggest competitor. I forget which one (the Vue or the Escape) has Toyota technology. And ofcourse one of the Vue models uses a Honda V6 (not sure if that is the same engine that is used in the Greenline edition).

Also, I know the first limited-qualitity of Escapes were mild-hybrid (essentially typical Detroit half-ass effort), but I know the new ones are true full-hybrid.

I'll have to research that tommorrow - too tired to give a crap rigth now.

[scott_gunn]

You're thinking about the Chevy Silverado mild hybrids (which have been out for a few years available through "fleet" dealers but it's a stretch IMO to call them a hybrid at all). The Escape has always been the Toyota technology. The VUE, on the other hand, is pure GM technology and will be the lowest price premium hybrid. A 274hp SUV (albeit a small SUV) that gets 27/32 mpg is pretty damn impressive. The fact that it will cost $23k is even more impressive.

The Japanese did win the race to get lots of hybrids on the market, but I think GM, by developing their own hybrid systems, is going to have the best hybrids on the market starting next year. They'll have the belt-alternator hybrid (in the VUE/Impala/???) which gets 20% better gas mileage and costs between $1300-$1500. At that price it will be an extremely popular option!

Then they'll have their "two-mode" hybrid with the Allison belt-less CVT (I still haven't figured out how it works - I'm not sure if it's a true CVT or not) in the Yukon/Tahoe/Escalade/Avalanche which gets 25% better gas mileage and can handle heavy-duty workloads (towing/hauling). This is the same system they've been using in the Diesel hybrid buses (which have also been out on the streets for a few years now). It's a higher price premium so they're only putting it on vehicles that are pretty expensive to begin with. Someone spending 35-40k on a huge SUV won't mind spending a few thousand more for much greater gas mileage.