Honda seems to be utilising its lucrative mind to full extent and is ready to create a series of buzzes in the upcoming year. Amid several launches and unveiling in its bag, the company hinted that it will be bringing the hybrid version of its iconic sedan Accord to India in 2014. As it is known that Honda had discontinued its existing model of Accord due to poor sales, the auto maker seems ready to launch its new generation model. Notably, Honda Accord Hybrid is already on sales in the international market and has been extolled for its splendid performance.
Interestingly, the connection of Honda with hybrids is not new as the company had earlier experimented to bring the hybrid version of Civic to Indian market. The car was brought as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) and apparently was not that cost effective due to which it was termed a failure. The debacle was to such an extent that Honda decided to immediately reduce its costs to clear the existing backlog and soon Civic Hybrid was discontinued.
However, company claims that the consequences would not be the same with Accord Hybrid. It has reassessed strategies with this car and is fully prepared to make it a grand success. For starters, the Accord Hybrid will be a fuel efficient car in the city and being incorporated with such a technology, it will be a lot smoother and quieter. Furthermore, considering the features equipped in the former Civic Hybrid, it is expected that Honda Accord will be technically much more advanced.
The currently available Honda Accord Hybrid in the global market is incorporated with a 2-litre petrol engine developing 138 bhp and peak torque of 165 Nm. It is perfectly blended with a 164 bhp AC Synchronous electric motor, running on a lithium-ion battery. Interestingly, the combined output of the two power sources comes out to be a mammoth 194 bhp. The transmission type is same as it is provided in all the hybrid cars, which is electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT). Earlier Toyota had launched the hybrid version of Camry at the same platform. To make it more cost effective, the company brought it by Completely Knock Down (CKD) route.
Experts believe that if Honda proves efficient in executing all its schemes then the new generation Accord Hybrid will be arriving Indian market at a price tag close to Rs. 30 lakh. Although it still seems hefty but is aptly compensated by the technically sound features of the car. Post launch, Honda is aiming to compete with Toyota, as latter is also planning to introduce a new hybrid model in India. As hybrid engines are much more eco-friendly, both the companies are expected to take the advantage of this fact and lure Indian buyers. In the present day when the duo is adopting the same path, it will be interesting to see how the auto fanatics accept such type of power source.
