notyper wrote: Yeah, but I just don't see IMA being the competitive solution for smaller cars. I think it's a great, yet simple tech that can easily be added to almost any powertrain (other manufacturers are adapting similar versions for higher end hybrids), so a smart move might be to add a small pancake motor to almost any Honda as an option with a small battery pack. In fact, it would be better in larger vehicles. A 200 lbs weight penalty for 70-80 lbs-ft of torque and 20-30 hp in a 4000+ lbs Odyssey or Pilot would be almost unnoticed and a 2-3 mpg improvement (which would equate to a 10-15% improvement) would be worth it for a $2k-$3k premium on a $30k+ vehicle. The payback would be on the order of 8-10 years which isn't unreasonable.
But to compete in the fuel economy/green wars (which I am against BTW) as Honda seems to want, they're going to have to do better. Or, simply go a different way.
SC
No arguments with the fact the current IMA is not cutting it for whatever reason: marketing, tech, engine size implementation...all of the above...
If the next Accord passes the mustard then my faith in Honda will be somewhat restored and i'll have some hope that Honda will reveal some new and clever IMA tricks up their sleeve...only time will tell.
I think I'm one of the original 'enthusiast whiners' on ToV as opposed to the 'apologists' so i'm not holding my breath for something 'VTEC'-like anytime soon...
![[home]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[dealer network]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/dealernet.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
