2014 Honda Accord Hybrid officially unveiled

The first images of the U.S-spec 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid have been released along with some preliminary information on the vehicle that will go on sale here in October. Visually, the first Honda hybrid model to be assembled in the automaker's Marysville,
Ohio, facility will share much in common with the conventional Accord Sedan rather than the more aggressively styled Accord Plug-in Hybrid. Key visual changes are confined to a blue-accented grille and light lenses, LED daytime running lights, unique alloy wheels, a decklid spoiler and, of course, a bespoke "Hybrid" badge.

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The Accord Hybrid does, however, share a good bit of the two-motor hybrid powertrain found in the Accord Plug-in Hybrid that hit showrooms in California and New York last January. Here, too, a 141-horsepower/2.0-liter Atkinson cycle i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine is paired with a 124kW (166-hp) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack in what the automaker is calling its "Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi Mode Drive" setup that permits the car to operate in EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive modes. Besides calling it considerably smaller than the 41kWh battery found in the Accord Plug-in, Honda provided no specific information on the size of the battery pack in the 2014 Accord Hybrid, nor on the distance this midsize 4-door will be able to travel in pure EV mode. However, it did indicate the newest addition to the Accord lineup is expected to earn best-in-class 49/45/47 mpg city/highway/combined fuel economy ratings from the EPA.

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The cabin of the new Accord Hybrid also has much in common with its conventional Accord siblings, although like the Plug-in, it features unique readouts for instant fuel economy along with energy-flow information that help foster more efficient driving techniques. In addition to available perforated leather-trimmed seats, cloud-based HondaLink featuring Aha compatibility, a 7-speaker audio system with XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth streaming audio and Pandora internet radio interface, an 8-inch color i-MID display and a multi-angle rearview camera, Accord Hybrid buyers will be able to fit the car with Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot display as well as Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning. More detailed information on the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid's performance, trim levels and pricing will be released closer to its on-sale date.


By Bob Nagy