2005 Honda Accord Hybrid (Video Clip)

There is no doubting that the horsepower war is back on. The American manufacturers are up to their old tricks with large displacement engines and RWD drivetrains not unlike 40 years ago. This time around though, the Japanese are part of the game. They certainly now have their share of V8 engines but they are mostly reserved for high-end luxury cars or trucks. Their approach consists of "hybridising" strong engines that are already in their common car line-up. Let us take the Lexus RX400h for example. The combination of the V6 engine and the electric motor not only reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions, the combination actually develops more horsepower and, by default, quicker acceleration times.