2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Preview

While more models are expected, Honda recently announced that its popular Accord sedan will be the next inline to

Honda recently announced that its popular Accord sedan will be the next inline to get the HEV treatment. (Photo: Honda Canada)

get the HEV treatment. And a good thing, with the Altima and Toyota's Camry coming on the scene over the next year or so, the Accord Hybrid will outpace these by quite a margin when it arrives during the summer.

Yeah, it's expected soon, and should be the most exciting hybrid to hit the market yet, at least from a driving dynamics perspective. What makes it so enticing? The new model makes use of the Accord's already enthusiastic 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower V6, combined with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. That means it'll produce even more power than the current V6, while delivering much better fuel economy. Improving this last point

The Accord Hybrid will actually produce more power than the current 240-horsepower V6. (Photo: Honda Canada)

even further is Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), a technology that cuts power to three of the car's six cylinders when not needed. A similar system was recently introduced by Chrysler Group in its 300 HEMI sedan and will soon appear in GM's truck lineup, but it's a first for Honda.

Other than the cylinder deactivation system, which will most likely end up on the regular V6-powered Accord's asset list after debuting in the hybrid, the new Accord HEV will be much like the current gasoline powered one - at least when it comes to features and options. Honda hasn't said anything about pricing, but you can expect the hybrid powertrain to add at least a few thousand to the price of a similarly equipped conventional Accord.