Hi All:

___I read of some that have actually driven one on a test track in Japan … The VCM or 6 to 3 and 3 to 6 cylinder shutdown and re-initiation is seamless other then a light on the dash lighting up and the performance available once the 6 cylinders are back on line. The Economy will be that of a Civic. Which Civic and what exact economy has yet to be published. If you are a performance minded individual, 0 - 60 in 6.5 seconds is the latest rumor. It uses the std. 240 HP V6 with another 25 - 50 HP of pack via IMA (I haven’t a clue as to how much power will be available from the IMA?) for its low end and torque output. A screamer with Civic mileage is about the best way to describe it … I hope? Oh, and prices speculated are anywhere from $28K to $33K? That sounds like a lot of $$$’s for a true mid-size automobile to me but the performance aspect is nothing to sneeze at, that is for sure. No word on if the Accord Hybrid can be driven off the pack alone. The IMA system is capable of it for a short distance and very slow speed in the 2000 MY Insights after they run out of gas and are still moving but it is not a practical EV mode like that of the Prius’. With a larger capacity pack and electrics, who knows? We shall all see soon enough.

___My sources are the Edmunds Hybrid – Accord – Camry Hybrid forums and Temple of Vtec something or other

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net