Refined interaction

Torrance (California), 16 June 2016

Hybrid cars have a difficult time in Germany, they just don't sell. At least compared to Japan, the Toyota Prius is a shopkeeper in this country. And German manufacturers such as Audi or BMW saddle eagerly by the on the plug-in hybrid to hybrid. The question is whether the new hybrid models of KIA and Hyundai (stainless steel and Ioniq) on the lack of love of the German for this drive will change something. But perhaps the further development of the diesel scandal forces us to rethink? The non-rechargeable Benzinhybrid is still in vogue in the United States in any case. Honda now represents a new version of the Accord Hybrid. Not only the hybrid system is interesting, also some other technical features deserve attention.

The "two-motor hybrid" with three engines

The mid-size sedan will receive an improved hybrid system with a system performance increased to 16 HP. The 215 HP peak power available but only for a short time as long as the battery is full. The intelligent multimode drive (i-MMD) combines a 145 HP strong 2.0-petrol engine of litre with an electric drive motor (184 HP), as well as a further E machine (144 PS), who works as a builder. As in English only the E-machines are considered "motor", while the Nitro "engine" is called, the system is also called the "two-motor hybrid".

Electric, serial or parallel

There are three modes of operation. The pure electrical operation ("EV-drive") using energy from the battery over the front wheels. In addition to this electric front wheel drive switches to the second mode ("hybrid drive") one of the Nitro. It generates electricity via a second electric machine, which complemented related energy from the battery so this is a serial hybrid mode. The third mode, "Engine Drive" is a parallel hybrid mode: the Nitro drives directly the front wheels after closing a clutch in addition to the electric motor.

No mechanical gear needed

Most is drive according to Honda hybrid active, while the EV drive is used only at low load and for a short time, because the lithium-ion battery stores energy only 1.3 kilowatt hours. The "engine drive" occurs at medium to high speeds in action. A mechanical transmission is not necessary in this system

Passive damper control

Also the standard "amplitude reactive dampers" are technically interesting, the similarity with the passive working agility control damping system by Mercedes. The Honda system automatically sets a depending on the driving conditions of two characteristic curves. On bad pavement, the comfortable characteristic is selected in fast corners the sport. Unlike normal adaptive dampers (like the Mercedes system) requires no electronics the Honda technology and works purely mechanically.

Unusual: Camera in the right wing mirrors

To the optional driver assistance systems, grouped together under the term Honda sensing, include a collision warning system, an Abstandstempomat, an emergency braking system and an active Lane, with a rear-view camera and a high-beam Assistant. German standards, this is not particularly impressive facilities in the middle class. A special feature, however, is Honda lane Watch: If the right Blinker is activated or a special button is pressed, the image of a camera in the right exterior mirror on the display of the accord appears. This is to give the driver a better field of view as the view in the right exterior mirror and help to detect traffic, pedestrians or obstacles in the blind spots. (sl)

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