52 MPG For The 2009 Diesel Accord Is Expected.
The Next Generation Honda Accord
The Honda Accord was overhauled for the 2008 model year, bringing to consumers the newest generation of an acclaimed mid-size model. Larger and wider than any Accord to date, the newest version has been received with mixed results: some people do not like its styling while others appreciate the brand’s reliability.
The Accord Hybrid Fails The Grade
For 2008, Honda dropped the hybrid model, realizing that the technology that they developed works best in smaller cars such as the Civic. That V6 hybrid Accord managed to get four miles more to the gallon than the gas-powered I4, not a bad achievement but not that remarkable either. Most Accord buyers opt for the I4 anyway, making a hybrid V6 an unappealing choice.
The 2009 Honda Accord Diesel
For 2009, Honda is planning to take the wraps off a diesel model and, if it lives up to expectations, should bring unparalleled fuel economy with it that will easily trump the premium motorists are now paying for diesel fuel. A 2.2L four cylinder diesel, now available across Europe, will make its way stateside for the 2009 model year. According to Autoblog Green, the Honda diesel is expected to attain 52 mpg on the highway, putting the Accord in a special class all of its own making.
The Cleanest Diesels, Thanks To Honda
For motorists who recall previous generation diesel technology with its corresponding belching smoke and engine racket, today’s diesels must meet precise EPA requirements to gain certification for the US marketplace. Moreover, contemporary diesel technology must deliver an engine that is a lot quieter than previous generation bangers, particularly with US consumers who remember the noisy diesels of old. Who can forget the awful diesels sold by General Motors circa 1980 — talk about noise pollution!
Honda’s diesel quest puts the company in an excellent position ahead of two German rivals. Volkswagen and Mercedes jointly developed what they call their BLUETEC diesel technology which meets rigorous environmental requirements, however an additive called urea must be added about every 15,000 miles in order to bring emissions output down to legal levels, a step that Honda diesel owners will not have to take.
The Cleanest Diesel Engines In The World
Honda says that their new diesels will be just as clean as the gas engines they currently sell, no small feat from one of the most technologically advanced automakers in the world.
