An IMA (integrated motor assist, or electric hybrid) engine was photographed by Auto Express in the European Market as an 06' Honda Legend. Not sure if this photo is real or a photoshop image.

You can see a photo of the Acura engine and the Honda Legend w/ IMA badge and also the Accord IMA at:

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-messa...ge%5fid=286582

I have a feeling the image is not real, but it does make perfect sense for Honda to use the technology on their flagship.

If anyone has a more evidence on an RL w/ IMA I would love to see it.

 

So you don't have to go hunting...

 

Thats not from the RL. Its the Accord Hybrid.

 

Everyone would love the added torque of the IMA system, but I have reservations about an IMA RL for the following reasons:
1. Cost - adding another $5000 or more to the MSRP of the RL isn't going to win any friends and people will still yearn for a V8.
2. Weight - adding several hundred pounds in Battery packs and electric motors to the RL may negate some of the power benefits and may mess with the wonderful handling.
3. Maintenance - What if IMA owners are required to spend $5,000 (or more)on a new battery pack every 5-7 years?? Who would want to buy a used IMA RL if they new that they would have to take a big financial hit when the battery pack needed changing.
4. Low volume - The RL is a low volume vehicle which makes engineering an IMA system to work with its engine and SH-AWD system less financially appealing. Making an Accord with the IMA system made sense from a corporate image and environmental image standpoint, but making it work in the RL may not be feasible.

I would just love to drive an IMA RL that only weighed 3900 pounds, had a combined 420HP and got 30 MPG in city driving, but I'm not sure that any of that is possible or feasible.

 

That's not the Accord Hybrid engine, that's the 3.5. The Accord hybrid engine looks way different, at least in the USDM.



As you can see, the engine is smaller, and stuff isn't covered as it is in the RL.

 

I was told at TOV that it was an Accord bay, guess they were wrong.

The RL will be a hybrid at some point, dunno when. 2006 is possible, the RL needs the publicity.

 

I proved many months ago that this image isn't real by superimposing the real picture from the Acura website with the one in the magazine. Check it out here:

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-messa...ge%5fid=324351

 

you are right, same exact picture. There is no IMA for the RL and there hasn't been any evidence of IMA on the 06 RL.