Honda Accord Hybrid for mid-2015
Japanese importer revises hybrid strategy with Accord and NSX to lead the chargeAustralians are not buying hybrid cars. At least not in the numbers that make for a sustainable business case.
As such Honda Australia has culled a number of hybrid passenger cars in recent times, including the Insight, CR-Z and the Civic Hybrid. Even stocks of the super-affordable Honda Jazz Hybrid are not being replenished.
But Honda has not completely given up on its hybrid offerings, with the company confirming the new Accord Hybrid will spearhead its renewed 'Hybrid Sport' technology push when it arrives before mid-year.
"We are currently running out our hybrid model range in order to introduce new Hybrid Sport technology under the "Earth Dreams Technology" umbrella," said Melissa Cross, Honda Australia's Public Relations Manager.
"The first of these new models will be the Accord Hybrid [two-motor system] in the first half of this year," she confirmed.
The new Honda Accord Hybrid will appear similar to regular models and is likely to be fitted with a smaller, less powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine than its 2.4- and 3.5-litre four- and six-cylinder siblings. However the Toyota Camry Hybrid rival gains an electric motor and a Lithium-ion battery to reduce its CO2 output and fuel consumption.
Expected to be mated with a CVT, the Accord Hybrid will use fuel at a lesser rate than the current efficiency king in the range, the 2.4-litre Accord's 7.9L/100km.
It's not yet clear how much of a premium the hybrid will demand over the entry-level $33,990 Accord, and Cross noted that Honda Australia will not be offering the
plug-in hybrid version of the Accord that can be charged at a power point and run for
up to 37km on pure electricity.
Once the Accord Hybrid has launched, the conversation-starting NSX supercar will arrive in 2016.
"The next will be the NSX," stated Cross. "This model features the three-motor hybrid system as launched recently at the NAIAS [Detroit motor show].
"We will be able to reveal more details about both the Accord Hybrid and NSX closer to their launch dates," she noted.
While Honda Australia has scrapped a number of hybrids, the importer is promising the new generation will make customers stop and take notice.
"This new [hybrid] technology is significantly more advanced than what has been available in the past and will provide an outstanding driving experience," said Cross.
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