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2017 Honda Accord Hybrid launches with best-in-class fuel economy

After a one-year hiatus, the Accord Hybrid is back. Billed as a 2017 model, it goes on sale this spring. Honda has not detailed pricing for the new version, but American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel says it will be similar to the 2015 model. The big items are 212 horsepower, an increase of 16, and EPA fuel economy ratings of 49 city, 47 highway, and 48 combined miles per gallon. All of those numbers are class-leading for midsize hybrid sedans. On paper the city figure is lower than the previous Accord Hybrid, rated at 50 mpg, but there's a reason. In 2017 the EPA is revising the fuel economy numbers downward to bring them more in line with real-world results. A similar adjustment happened in 2008. The new Accord Hybrid is certified for 2017, while competitors like the Chevrolet Malibu (47 city/46 hwy/46 combined) and Toyota Camry (43/31/39) use the current rules. Honda says the improvement is about four percent, so if the new car carried a 2016 sticker, the highway figure would be as high as 52 mpg. View 19 Photos Honda's reveal is light on other details about the new Accord Hybrid. The company stated only that the fuel economy gains come from a total re-engineering of the powertrain that includes new electric motors and a revised 2.0-liter Atkinson-cyline gasonline engine. A lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk eats up about two cubic feet of cargo space. The physical layout of the hybrid drive is the same as in the previous Accord, with two motors and a single-speed transmission for the gas engine. An explanation of the three drive modes is below. Honda engineers clarified that while the generator motor near the engine usually charges the battery it will also assist the drive motor in sending power to the front wheels at high speeds or loads. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Honda Sensing, the brand's name for its suite of autonomous and electronic safety system, is standard in the Accord Hybrid. That includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. You can't tell that the Accord Hybrid has an aluminum hood by looking, but sharp eyes will pick up the unique wheel and blue accents to the headlights and taillights. Otherwise the 2017 Accord Hybrid looks and feel exactly like a conventional Accord, save for the "EV Mode" button on the right side of the center console.

Takata airbag recalls add another 5 million vehicles

The Takata airbag inflator recall expanded by about 6.5 million vehicles recently when Toyota and Nissan announced global expansions to replace the faulty parts. You can add another 5 million more as Honda and Daihatsu also broaden their replacement campaigns. Although in this latest case, none of the affected models are in the United States or Canada. Honda is recalling 4.89 million more vehicles globally, and Daihatsu has about 260,000 to repair in Japan, according to Automotive News. With these latest expansions, all of the affected automakers have needed to fix about 36 million vehicles globally for these faulty airbags since 2008. Some of the first instances of these problems were found in an Isuzu campaign in 2001. This latest round of recalls was sparked by a study from Takata that found the inflators' propellant could be affected by moisture over time. While the automakers received this information in March, it took time to determine the number of vehicles in need of repair and where they were located, according to Automotive News. To make sure all of the affected vehicles in the US are repaired in a timely fashion, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reportedly considering a strategy to force things to speed up. Honda and Toyota are already using outside suppliers for the parts they need. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Shizuo Kambayashi / AP Photo Recalls Honda Daihatsu Safety Takata airbag recall

Honda recalls 25k Fits over grab handle, airbag issue

Honda has issued another recall for the Fit. Only this time, it comes down to a very specific issue arising in a limited cross-section of production. The recall affects over 25,000 units in the United States alone. This problem results from the bracket affixing the rear grab handle, which was apparently manufactured incorrectly. As a result, the bracket may puncture the side curtain airbag as it deploys. That's bad news, so Honda is recalling the affected vehicles to have that bracket replaced. According to the manufacturer, the issue was discovered during its own internal testing procedures, and not because of any reported incidents. The problem only affects Fit hatchbacks from the 2015 and 2016 model years, manufactured between April 11, 2014, and July 2, 2015. Even within those confines, however, the recall is limited only to those in LX trim level and not equipped with a sunroof. That amounts to an estimated 25,367 units in the US - less than a third of the 84,000+ units American Honda sold in the same fifteen-month period. This is the third recall that has affected the Fit in as many months. Last month saw 143,000 units of the Fit and Civic recalled over a transmission issue. In September, the Japanese automaker called in another 18k Fits over a problem with their ignition coils. RECALL Subject : Improper Rear Grab Rail Bracket/FMVSS 214/226 Report Receipt Date: OCT 23, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V697000 Component(s): AIR BAGS , STRUCTURE Potential Number of Units Affected: 25,367 Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) SUMMARY: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Fit LX-trim vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014, to July 02, 2015 and not equipped with a sunroof. In the affected vehicles, the rear grab handle brackets were not manufactured properly, and as a result, the brackets may puncture the side curtain air bags upon their deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection" and number 226, "Ejection Mitigation". CONSEQUENCE: If the side curtain air bags are punctured upon deployment, the outboard seat occupants may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash. REMEDY: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear grab handle bracket, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV8.