I thought about this when I saw Honda was getting rid of the Insight. I see that the Accord hybrid is a about 200 HP. I wonder if Honda or another company will make the Hybrid engine the base engine instead of the 180ish HP 4 cylinder they have today. Then they can charge for upgraded engines 225 hp 4 cylinder or 275 hp 6 cylinder.

I know some want the Tesla style electric engines but I think the hybrid is better now since the true electric engines don't work for those who need them most (condo owners, apt dwellars, and those without the money to add a pricey charging device).

 

I dont think it will ever be a base model engine.
some people just cant afford the pricier increase.

 

On the contrary, I think it's inevitable. Aside from cheap-ish alternatives like the Prius, the high-end manufacturers are incorporating hybrid tech into their highest end offerings (P1, 918, LaFerrari, i8, etc.). The historical pattern is the eventual trickle down of these techs into the more pedestrian vehicles. With the ever-increasing mileage standards being imposed by governments, it will make it even more necessary to amortize the cost of these techs across a greater model range and, hopefully, realize some MPG benefits. At least enough to keep those manufacturers in business.

Disclaimer: I'm no environmentalist, nor am I necessarily a fan of most hybrid tech, but that's my pragmatic take on things.

 

I think we'll see more hybrid awd. Small engines up front and electric motors for rear wheels. Then people can have best of each world. Sport mode would be everything on, then a gas fwd mode, and a rwd elec mode.

 

How long will this trickle effect take?

 

I think the trickle down affect may be in the next 5-10 years depending on model changes.

Just looked and the Accord Hybrid is 195 HP, the Camry Hybrid is 200 HP, and the Fusion Hybrid is 188 HP with 129 Torque. The current Civic Sedan is 140 HP and 128 Torque.

Standard 4 cylinder Accord is 185hp / 181 torque, Camry is 178hp / 170 torque, and the Fusion is 175 hp / 175 torque. They all avg about 30 mpg combined.

The hybrids are all avg over 40 mpg. The Civic averages around 34-35 mpg.

Right now it is not cost efficient but if it became the standard engine that is mass produced then costs will come down for the hybrids. The hp is there now but the torque may need to get up to close to 200 or customers may not want the hybrids because of passing ability and sprint from a dead stop.

Also, at one point in time Toyota considered spinning off Prius into a separate brand. I guess that they didn't because they saw hybrid not as a separate line but as a technology that can one day become the standard for Toyota.

As for performance hybrids:
Q50 S hybrid gets 360+ hp with 260+ torque while averaging around 35 mpg
Acura has the RLX hybrid coming out that will have decent hp, torque, and mpg too.

 

I'm just making a guess, but probably 10+ years before a hybrid drive train starts to become more ubiquitous across a product line. Some of that depends on government regulation; if they continue for ever increasing MPG standards, then it could happen a bit sooner, IMO.

 

We are pretty much forced to. The departure from fossil fuels is higher than ever.

I agree with ttribe. I think within the next 20 years for sure hybrid technology will be in every car manufactured.

 

oh, so not in my lifetime.

 

Indeed. That hard living (FWD donuts, crab infestations, etc.) will kill you young.

 

I might go crazy and live off the side of a mountain.
Dont bother calling the cops

 

Definitely inevitable with the upcoming fuel economy requirements. Most cars will be hybrids to offset the few sports cars sold, many of which will also be hybrids themselves.

 

Just keep your Swiss Army knives in your pockets.

 

The Japanese will probably lead the trend. Ford is trying to do hybrids but GM and Chrysler are way behind the 8 ball on this (except for the Volt). The Germans prefer to use Diesel technology over hybrid technology.

My guess is either Honda or Toyota will be the 1st to do this. The Koreans may try to do this too to make a splash since Hyundai and Kia are still fighting a tough battle to be thought of at an equal level as Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Hyundai has been testing hydrogen fuel cells. The issue is a lack of filling stations. This is a similar issue with the all electric vehicles like the Tesla. Until the local Mobil or Shell station offers an electric charging station and hydrogen filling area the alternative fuel vehicles will suffer. If you want a billion dollar business idea maybe open up a franchise of stations that charge alternative fuel vehicles.

Hyundai Hydrogen Tuscon with 300 mile range:
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-and-info-news

 

2025 CAFE standards will be 54.5 MPG, so yeah everything is going to be hybrid or whatever is the newer more efficient thing within 10 years.

 

^ +1, as LiOn batteries prices continue to drop the hybrid cost break even cost factor drops as well.

The new Accord is a great example, it's the anti-hybrid hybrid. Looks and drives like a normal Accord with significantly better fuel economy.
http://www.edmunds.com/honda/accord-...ison-test.html

The tech just keeps getting better and better, the rate of performance increase for electric drive-trains is surpassing gas motors.