2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

• Class-leading 49 mpg EPA city fuel economy rating¹ anticipated
• Accord Hybrid shares Accord Sedan’s sophisticated design highlighted with exclusive hybrid styling accents
• Honda’s first hybrid to be assembled² in Marysville, Ohio
• Accord Hybrid to go on-sale nationwide in October 2013

The first official photos of the U.S. version of the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid set to hit dealerships nationwide this October are now available on the Honda consumer site. The Accord Hybrid features the same sophisticated styling found on the Accord Sedan plus unique hybrid badging and blue-accented grille and light lenses, LED daytime running lights, a unique wheel design and a decklid spoiler.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid will use Honda’s new two-motor hybrid powertrain, much of which is shared with the Accord Plug-In that went on sale in January. The two-motor SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Multi Mode Drive powertrain in the Accord Hybrid allows the vehicle to move through three different driving modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive – to optimize fuel efficiency.

In ‘EV Drive’, the Accord Hybrid uses the lithium-ion battery to run in electric-only mode at lower speeds and in medium to high speed cruising, ‘Engine Drive’ sends the engine power directly to the front wheels. In ‘Hybrid Drive,’ the powerful 124-kilowatt (kW) electric motor and the all-new 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine blend together for powerful acceleration while allowing for efficient driving in  stop-and-go traffic situations. The Accord Hybrid is anticipated to obtain a class-leading mid-size sedan EPA fuel economy¹ rating of 49/45/47 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Inside, the Accord Hybrid’s well-appointed and intuitive layout provides the driver with instant fuel economy and energy flow information for efficient driving performance. Along with innovative new features such as Honda’s LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, an industry-first that debuted on the Accord last fall, other available features on the 2014 Accord Hybrid include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), an 8-inch color i-MID display, perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, cloud-based HondaLink™ featuring Aha™ compatibility, seven-speaker audio system with Bluetooth® streaming audio, Pandora® interface and XM® Radio, and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid features the same next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure as the 2013 Accord, along with Honda’s new SmartVent™ front-side airbags. Like the 2013 Accord, the 2014 Accord Hybrid is expected to earn top safety ratings including an NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will be the first Honda hybrid vehicle assembled in Ohio and the second built in the U.S. The Accord Hybrid joins the diverse Accord lineup, which includes the four-cylinder and V-6 powered Accord Sedan, sporty Accord Coupe and the advanced Accord Plug-In, which has the highest EPA MPGe rating of any mid-size hybrid sedan in America at 115 MPGe.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): http://www.hondanews.com/
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-hybrid/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Honda

¹ Preliminary mileage ratings determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage ratings not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

² Honda cars are built using domestic and globally sourced parts.

# # #

• Class-leading 49 mpg EPA city fuel economy rating¹ anticipated
• Accord Hybrid shares Accord Sedan’s sophisticated design highlighted with exclusive hybrid styling accents
• Honda’s first hybrid to be assembled² in Marysville, Ohio
• Accord Hybrid to go on-sale nationwide in October 2013

The first official photos of the U.S. version of the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid set to hit dealerships nationwide this October are now available on the Honda consumer site. The Accord Hybrid features the same sophisticated styling found on the Accord Sedan plus unique hybrid badging and blue-accented grille and light lenses, LED daytime running lights, a unique wheel design and a decklid spoiler.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid will use Honda’s new two-motor hybrid powertrain, much of which is shared with the Accord Plug-In that went on sale in January. The two-motor SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Multi Mode Drive powertrain in the Accord Hybrid allows the vehicle to move through three different driving modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive – to optimize fuel efficiency.

In ‘EV Drive’, the Accord Hybrid uses the lithium-ion battery to run in electric-only mode at lower speeds and in medium to high speed cruising, ‘Engine Drive’ sends the engine power directly to the front wheels. In ‘Hybrid Drive,’ the powerful 124-kilowatt (kW) electric motor and the all-new 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine blend together for powerful acceleration while allowing for efficient driving in  stop-and-go traffic situations. The Accord Hybrid is anticipated to obtain a class-leading mid-size sedan EPA fuel economy¹ rating of 49/45/47 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Inside, the Accord Hybrid’s well-appointed and intuitive layout provides the driver with instant fuel economy and energy flow information for efficient driving performance. Along with innovative new features such as Honda’s LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, an industry-first that debuted on the Accord last fall, other available features on the 2014 Accord Hybrid include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), an 8-inch color i-MID display, perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, cloud-based HondaLink™ featuring Aha™ compatibility, seven-speaker audio system with Bluetooth® streaming audio, Pandora® interface and XM® Radio, and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid features the same next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure as the 2013 Accord, along with Honda’s new SmartVent™ front-side airbags. Like the 2013 Accord, the 2014 Accord Hybrid is expected to earn top safety ratings including an NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will be the first Honda hybrid vehicle assembled in Ohio and the second built in the U.S. The Accord Hybrid joins the diverse Accord lineup, which includes the four-cylinder and V-6 powered Accord Sedan, sporty Accord Coupe and the advanced Accord Plug-In, which has the highest EPA MPGe rating of any mid-size hybrid sedan in America at 115 MPGe.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): http://www.hondanews.com/
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-hybrid/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Honda

¹ Preliminary mileage ratings determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage ratings not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

² Honda cars are built using domestic and globally sourced parts.

# # #

Iowa Corn Indy 250
Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
2:30 p.m. EDT Sunday, June 23, 2013
ABC

COMPETITION

• As the single engine supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series from 2006-2011, Honda powered the winner of the first five races at Iowa Speedway, starting with Dario Franchitti at the inaugural 2007 event. Franchitti won again in 2009, while other Honda-powered race winners at Iowa include the late Dan Wheldon (2008), Tony Kanaan (2010) and Marco Andretti in 2011.
• The twin IZOD IndyCar Series victories for Honda in Detroit earlier this month were the 198th and 199th wins for the manufacturer since it began Indy car competition in 1994. This total includes 100 race wins in seasons with manufacturer competition, as well as 99 victories in the six-year period (2006-2011) when Honda supplied engines to the full IndyCar Series field.
• Simon Pagenaud’s inaugural IndyCar win at the IndyCar Dual at Detroit was Honda’s 100th victory against competition from other manufacturers. Honda-powered drivers have won three times this season, including two podium sweeps of the top-three finishing positions, and 10 podium finishes in nine races this season.
• Honda’s 2013 race victories have been recorded by Takuma Sato for A.J. Foyt Racing at Long Beach, Mike Conway with Dale Coyne Racing in the first of Detroit’s two races, and Pagenaud of Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports in the finale at Detroit.
• Honda drivers have two victory podium sweeps in 2013. At Long Beach, Honda drivers finished 1-4 (Sato, Graham Rahal, Justin Wilson and Dario Franchitti, respectively); and at the second Detroit “Dual”, a Honda 1-5 result (Pagenaud, James Jakes, second; Conway, third; Scott Dixon, fourth and Franchitti fifth).
• The 2013 season marks the second season of manufacturer competition in the IZOD IndyCar Series after six years of Honda serving as single engine supplier. Chevrolet and Honda are battling for supremacy throughout a season of 19 races.
• On Wednesday, June 5, Honda announced that Pagenaud will drive a race-prepared Honda Odyssey at the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb later this month, part of a record 11-vehicle Honda effort taking part in the annual “Race to the Clouds”. Built by Honda associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, the Odyssey features a turbocharged, intercooled V6 engine producing more than 500 hp, a full roll cage and race-tuned suspension and brakes.

HONDA PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT 20TH ANNIVERSARY

• In April 1993, Honda Performance Development was founded in Santa Clarita, California as the competition arm of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. HPD is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013 with a variety of events and activities.
• In 20 years, HPD has grown from just a handful of staffers to approximately 150 associates; and from an engine-rebuilding facility to a complete motorsports Research & Development organization, engaged in programs ranging from pinnacle racing series including the IZOD IndyCar Series, FIA World Endurance Championship and American Le Mans Series; to grassroots and entry-level categories including karting, Quarter Midgets and Formula F competition.
• Drivers and teams using HPD products have won 199 Indy car races and nine Indianapolis 500s, both in years with multi-manufacturer competition (1994-2005, 2012); and as single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series from 2006-2011.
• During years of Indy car multi-manufacturer competition, Honda has claimed six Manufacturers’ Championships, and Honda-powered drivers have won eight drivers’ championships. No other manufacturer has won as many titles in the past 20 years.
• HPD spearheaded championship-winning efforts in the 2009, 2010 and 2012 American Le Mans Series; the 2010 Le Mans Series; and powered the LMP2-winning team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 2010 and 2012. Last year, the Florida-based Starworks team became the first American team to win an FIA World Championship since 1969, claiming LMP2 honors in the 2012 World Endurance Championship using an HPD ARX-03b chassis and Honda HR28TT V6 engine, prepared and developed by HPD.

MARKETING

• Honda driver, 2008 Indianapolis 500 and two-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon will be the featured subject of this week’s edition of INDYCAR 36, a weekly feature program on the NBC Sports Network that provides an in-depth look at an IndyCar driver throughout a typical race weekend.
• This week’s INDYCAR 36 follows Dixon as he takes part in the recent Firestone 550K at Texas Motor Speedway. The program is scheduled for an initial broadcast at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 20, on the NBC Sports Network, with additional airings to follow.
• Two other Honda drivers, Detroit victor Pagenaud and his Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammate, IndyCar rookie Tristan Vautier, are featured in “Inside the Indy Challenge”, a series of nine documentary-style webcast videos featuring Honda and the Schmidt team. The video series debuted in April on www.insidetheindychallenge.com and a variety of social media channels, including Tumblr, YouTube, Ustream, Facebook and Twitter. Filmmakers were embedded with the Schmidt team for three race weekends – the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Indianapolis 500 – to provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at Honda’s IndyCar racing program.