Last year, Japanese manufacturer Honda launched a new line of mid-sized sedans under the Accord moniker. The car was also launched as a coupe; all models could be ordered with either a four-cylinder or a V-6 powerplant. All that was missing from the lineup was an up-to-date hybrid version.

The reason for this is that in the past, Honda had tried to convince car buyers to adopt an electric motor assisted Accord, but it seemed that the market was not yet ready for such evolved technology. But nowadays, with ever-rising fuel prices and environmental awareness taking its place in the mainstream, more and more consumers are asking for highly fuel-efficient cars and trucks. Without question, circumstances are ripe for a hybrid Accord. But wait! There’s more!

Honda engineers, well-known for their ingeniousness, went a little further and designed a plug-in hybrid system for the Accord. That means that the four-cylinder engine is not only assisted by an electric motor but this motor can power the Accord for many miles by itself before the gas engine kicks in. And it can do so thanks to a battery that can be charged in a domestic electrical outlet! Now, that is affordable advanced technology!

SPECIFICATIONS

BRAND: Honda
MODEL: Accord
CATEGORY:
Mid-sized sedan
WEIGHT: 1,610 kg
LENGTH: 277.5 cm
ENGINE:
2.4 L; L-4; 185 hp / 3.5
L; V-6; 278 hp / 2.0 L;
electric motor; 141 hp
TRANSMISSIONS:
6-speed manual / 6-
speed automatic / CVT
automatic
PASSENGERS: 5