Honda discovers 3.5L V6 more powerful than first thought
There is nothing better than finding a few stray horses that were previously unaccounted for. Honda engineers were running tests on the Accord's 3.5L V6 engine when they realized it was spinning the dyno with more horsepower and torque than originally thought. It caught the Honda team off guard, as the powerplant has received no design changes to warrant the extra power. Regardless, the marketing folks have been quick to update the power ratings of the 3.5-liter 24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC powerplant. Here are the new numbers for 2009: 271 hp replaces 268 hp on all V6 models, 254 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on automatic transmission models and 251 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on manual transmission models. One would have to assume that the 2008 model made the same power, it just wasn't noticed... Thanks for the tip, Steve!
[Source: Honda]
Excerpt from Press Release dated 8/7/2008
Testing of production engines for horsepower and torque output of the 2008 Accord V-6 has revealed that the average horsepower and torque produced by these engines is higher than originally estimated prior to the start of mass production. Though there have been no design changes to the engines to create more power, the horsepower and torque ratings for the 2009 models have been increased to reflect the actual output of the engines. For 2009, 271 hp replaces 268 hp on all V-6 models, 254 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on automatic transmission models and 251 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on manual transmission models.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Frank 2:02PM (8/13/2008)
What's the tolerance range on an engine power test? 3 hp seems like it doesn't warrant a change in the marketing numbers. But then again it is just a marketing number.
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Matt 2:26PM (8/13/2008)
Pretty funny how the Accord's arch rival, the Camry, also makes 268hp (and 248tq).
Pretty funny, too, how Honda waited for the 2009 Camry to go live prior to posting this ridiculous 'find'.
Anything to take away from the ugly stick that's been beating your vehicles this entire year, eh guys?
User 2:31PM (8/13/2008)
The number 271 looks much, much bigger than 268 in marketing.
And, Matt, do you think the Camry looks better than the Accord? I know we're comparing two ugly things... But have you seen them side by side? IMO the Accord is much more appealing.
Allan 2:34PM (8/13/2008)
The Camry was better looking just b/c it was a drastic improvement over the previous generation. Now, IMO, the Accord looks better... and I don't even like Hondas. Definite improvement over its previous gen.
Reader 2:45PM (8/13/2008)
If the change is actually legitimate than it's definitely worth changing. Quite a few people spend a thousand dollars for a 3hp performance boost, as shown by many tuners.
Red 2:57PM (8/13/2008)
@ Matt,
Honda didn't want to get into a horsepower race with Toyota, like Nissan and Mazda have done. Toyota, as they should bumped up for a year-over-model and Honda subsequently followed. Not sure how you see this as a "ridiculous find". They knew it was there because that's what it was originally rated. If everybody else was trying to sell a vehicle saying it's "more powerful than yours", would you not turn around and say..."ahh...not really..."? A number of automakers do this, not just Honda. I see nothing wrong with it.
vkchu 4:48PM (8/13/2008)
whoop-dee-doo...
Chris 5:06PM (8/13/2008)
It's a lot more than what they are admitting to. Honda wants you to know there is more power there but at the same time they must protect the Acura powerplants.
I bet the motor makes the same 286hp as the TL's did.
I hate to toot my own horn....but I posted the following months back about the Accord Coupe.......
Nov 1st 2007 3:24PM
Has anyone else had the chance to drive the 6-speed Accord Coupe?? I did and this car is one fast ride!!! There is no doubt in my mind that if anyone hooks this car to a dyno they will prove that the 268hp number is only there to protect Acura. This car jumps out of the hole while the TCS is barely noticeable, although it is working hard, and pulls hard all the way to the top of 4th gear.
Go drive one, you will be shocked. I have an '04 6-Speed Coupe and I never thought the extra HP and TQ numbers would feel that different.
The Altima coupe is no match after you've stepped out of the Accord.
Bryan Riddle 2:02PM (8/13/2008)
they could do so much better. why don'T they go DI and forced induction?
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MikeW 3:13PM (8/13/2008)
How about Honda upgrading to timing chains, and hydraulic lash adjustment.
Ferrari doesn't even make you come in to get your timing belt changed and your valve clearance adjusted.
How about Honda put variable valve timing into their V6 engines? That would require dual overhead camshafts.
http://delphi.com/manufacturers/auto/powertrain/gas/valvetrain/vcp/
Temple 3:08PM (8/13/2008)
Cost, and 271hp is more then enough for a FWD Accord. Even Toyota doesn't put DI in their Camry 2GR-FE, and reserves it for the 2GR-FSE in their Lexus'.
John Johnson 2:05PM (8/13/2008)
Woah.
Thanks, Autoblog.
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Allen 3:34PM (8/13/2008)
Yeah, blah. like who cares.
Perfect timing so the car mags and blogs can report how briskly it accelerates for "only" having 268 hp.
and now its gonna warrant some family sedan fanatic to complain his car doesn't feel as fast as it's 271 hp suggests.
Rubbish. Slow news morning?
yacoub 2:06PM (8/13/2008)
So given Honda's tradition of glass auto transmissions, this is actually bad news. :)
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John 2:07PM (8/13/2008)
Oh! Those Japanese are so so smart! And yet, the media is always picking on the domestics. If this were GM, there would be tons of negative comments as how dumb they are.
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iomatic 5:36PM (8/13/2008)
I think think the pot wants its color back from the kettle, there, buddy.
TJ 2:10PM (8/13/2008)
I thought these figures were published/verified by SAE? Personally, Honda (or any autmaker for that matter) could claim their vtec .075 liter three cyl makes 450hp and 700 lb ft of torque, and I wouldn't believe anything other than what the SAE certifies.
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Gregg 2:12PM (8/13/2008)
Whye does their manual transmission model have less hp? Usually, if there is variation in output with the transmission choice, it is the other way around.
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The Luigiian 2:13PM (8/13/2008)
At first Honda thought that they had built a simple engine: a basic powerplant for their people-movers. The engineers, as they walked away from the tired fruits of their labor, nodded to one another with a muted respect, for they felt that what they had done was good.
They placed this mechanical heart within the metallic skin of one of the beasts which we call "cars". Deep within this skin and skeleton of steel and iron was a soul, and this soul was called: The Honda 3.5 liter V-6.
And they thought that it was good. They placed, within the chassis, upholstery of cloth and leather and wood and beautiful materials the likes of which Chryslers have not seen in many a long year. To manage the cylinders' pounding heartbeat they used a box of strong gears and transmission fluid, and thus was the lifeblood of the beast directed to its wheels.
But then, they discovered that the 3.5L V6 was more powerful than first thought.
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John Johnson 2:15PM (8/13/2008)
....dude are you serious?