Hi Jason:

___I don’t know? With Honda’s wizards at work, I don’t see why a 25 - 50 HP capable pack could not propel the Accord Hybrid on electrics alone w/ a VCM system taking out all cylinders to reduce drag if in fact it were to spin the ICE as well as the wheels? An electric clutch assembly (ala Acura MDX rear drive clutch setup) could probably easily take the ICE out of the picture for the IMA alone as well? The item that gives IMA the edge is that it is more cost effective and can be mated with any ICE Honda has to offer as the car is not designed around the HSD but the IMA is designed into the car? Which one is better? I would have to say the HSD’s overall implementation is more advanced but it is a costly SOB and probably a less efficient overall design then a 5-speed mated to an IMA equipped automobile. Then again, the Prius is one heavy automobile and it appears that it has the efficiency advantage (real mileage database HCH vs. Prius averages?) with the additional heft. If only you could purchase an HSD setup in an automobile costing far less then $23 - $27K currently? Daihatsu UFE-II for $13K please

___Good Luck

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