Redesigned for 2006, the Honda Accord Hybrid is
rolling out at U.S. dealers with an MSRP of $30,990, American Honda revealed Tuesday.
The Accord Hybrid
shares all the 2006 upgrades in the conventional Accord, plus a few exclusive features, including exterior trim, unique
alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors with built-in turn signals, exclusive exterior colors, a dashboard display panel
for the hybrid system, special lightweight hood and body components, and standard power moonroof.
John
Mendel, American Honda senior VP, says, “The Accord Hybrid is unique in that it delivers performance and
environmental responsibility without compromising one for the other.” The Integrated Motor Assist 3-liter V6 plays
its part – putting out 253 hp, 9 hp more than the gasoline-only version.
Full press release after the
jump.
[Source: American Honda Motor Co.]
Press Release:
Honda Announces Pricing for Redesigned 2006 Accord
Hybrid
High performance hybrid provides lower emissions with new features and additional refinement for
2006
TORRANCE, Calif. 02/01/2006 — 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.