The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid went on sale in the USA on October 31 2013. For those who are keeping tabs, that day marked the beginning of a new era in automotive engineering.
This vehicle marks a revolution on one point - its drivetrain.
Remember the CSX ad that claims a ton of freight is moved 468 miles per gallon of fuel? Those are real statistics, and the Honda engineers have picked up on the same principle used to power those efficient CSX locomotives.
So what is so innovative about the 9th Generation Honda Accord in its Hybrid iteration? Well, it is the efficient use of power, comparable to the principle of Diesel Electric trains. Add to that mix a modern Lithium Ion Battery to store power from regenerative braking and when the Atkinson-Cyle 2.0 liter internal combustion engine is running under low acceleration conditions and you have a winner!
There is no transmission in the traditional sense of the word.
The internal combustion engine - labeled "Earth Dreams" is coupled to a small generator. This generator produces electricity which is used to charge the High Voltage Battery Pack located behind the rear seats. Otherwise, the bulk of the power is sent to an electric motor coupled to the wheels which produces the locomotive force. If power demand is high as in rapid acceleration situations, power is drawn directly from the generator and also the battery pack. Under such situations, you may hear the internal combustion engine motor rev high, but initially, it is disconcertingly out of sync with the acceleration you experience.
The only instance where you have the internal combustion engine driving the wheels is at high speeds such as highway cruise situations. Since there is no transmission, this is the condition where the gasoline motor can be most efficient, utilizing what is in effect a one ratio gear, while being assisted as needed by the electric motor.
All of this magic happens seamlessly, with acceleration and braking both very linear! Disregard the out of sync gasoline motor (very easy if you have the stereo on) and you will be blessed with the magic of the most advanced consumer automobile on sale in the USA.
Consumers have been promised 50 MPG. Impressive for a vehicle this size! I am still on my first tank of gas and will be posting my experience.
It is no wonder that finding one on sale is almost impossible. Tomorrow's automobile is here....it is the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid.
