Published June 10, 2012
By Huw Evans
Recently in Southern California, the folks at Automotive.com managed to snap some pictures of a prototype Accord bearing similar styling cues to the concept seen above.
The car in question is believed to be the upcoming plug-in hybrid model, one of two zero emission vehicles the company is introducing – the other being the Fit Electric Vehicle) – in order to help it meet tough California Air Resources Board quotas, which call for a total of 60,000 ZEVs on the road in 12 states by 2014.
Although the car in the photos was heavily camouflaged, a filler door on the driver’s side fender would indicate a provision for a plug in electrical port.
The upcoming Accord hybrid will sport a 6-kilowatt per hour lithium ion battery pack; that provides juice to a single electric motor, which drives the front wheels. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine provides power once the battery is depleted and powers the car at speeds over 40 miles per hour.
Honda hasn’t offered an Accord Hybrid since 2008 (the last one was canned due to tepid demand), though it’s likely this time around, with hybrids and EVs enjoying greater exposure in the marketplace, the new plug-in version will likely generate better consumer response.
The 2013 Accord (in conventional gasoline engine form with 2.4-liter four and 3.5-liter V6 motors); is slated to be introduced this fall, though the hybrid version probably won’t show up until sometime next year.
Automotive.com
