Angry Bees Test, Result, Theories
- Thread starter Bbeardb
- Start date
- Replies 48
- Views 9K
They would also have to use a generator with greater output to send more power to the wheels, and/or program EDM to remain engaged over a wider range of hp/tq demand.
A tremendous amount of effort went in to making this, what Honda calls, the most efficient PHEV on the market. Hence, the 1.5l engine. It is unlikely that Honda is going to invest in changes to this PHEV or any other.
Would those changes make people willing to pay MSRP for a Clarity? Whatever happened to the Pilot PHEV Honda was testing years ago? SUVs, crossovers, and pick-ups are what most people want these days, not cars.
I would have believed that if they hadn't just announce the CR-V PHEV. They didn't say anything about the engine, but I won't be surprised if it is the same 2.0 as the regular hybrid.
https://www.torquenews.com/1083/hon...rid-electric-vehicle-chases-toyota-rav4-prime
I guess Honda found out about people not wanting cars--I didn't know about the CR-V PHEV.
Just go to the website of your local dealer and check their inventory, sedans are dead, all people want is trucks and SUVs.
PHEV Newbie
Well-Known Member
The Accord Hybrid has a 2.0 engine and a battery a tenth the size as the Clarity. It has exactly the same HP and torque output as the Clarity. The Clarity engine compartment is actually larger than the Accord's (to accommodate the fuel cell system) so putting in the 2.0 engine would have been easy. With more powerful electric motors, such a Clarity would have 250 hp or more and much more torque. They could have marketed the Clarity as a green performance car (with some stiffer suspension). The extra weight would have decreased the EV range a little bit and I suspect Honda was shooting to match the Volt. Given the huge demand for the Rav4 Prime (over 300 hp and Toyota's 2nd fastest car), Honda missed out.
I feel like we're getting a bit sidetracked with the "Honda should have" engine talk, which is fine but I'll mention that we have had 2 Toyota Highlander Hybrids -- currently a 2015, which has a 3.5L V-6 and supposedly a combined 280 HP in an SUV that only weighs a few hundred pounds more than the Clarity. Driving the Highlander, up hills especially, is just as buzzy and loud as the Clarity with the sound out of sync with the acceleration as on any hybrid.
In fact, the Clarity *feels* smoother because the Toyota system physically connects the engine and wheels via the planetary gearset so you feel a little bit of jerkiness/torque steer every time the engine kicks in, while the Honda system is purely using the electric motor (other than "gear mode", which only engages under steady light load so I've never felt it at least). And the Honda brakes blend regen/friction a lot more seamlessly than the Toyota, but that's another topic. Yes, the Highlander might be a slight bit quicker (both are in the 7 second range 0-60 though) and the engine sounds a tad more "refined", but it was also literally twice as expensive before even considering the tax credits...and it uses gas every trip and only gets 25-30 MPG doing so.
Don't get me wrong, we love the Highlander for SUV purposes, including having done some basic off-road 4wd type adventures, but that's not what I bought the Clarity for. Personally I'm satisfied with the optimization they chose; I wouldn't want to carry around a bigger/heavier/more expensive engine nor a bigger gas tank everyday at the expense of even a few miles of range. As is, for me it's a great everyday 40-mile commute and around town car that can also respectably handle a long (on-road!) trip.
In fact, the Clarity *feels* smoother because the Toyota system physically connects the engine and wheels via the planetary gearset so you feel a little bit of jerkiness/torque steer every time the engine kicks in, while the Honda system is purely using the electric motor (other than "gear mode", which only engages under steady light load so I've never felt it at least). And the Honda brakes blend regen/friction a lot more seamlessly than the Toyota, but that's another topic. Yes, the Highlander might be a slight bit quicker (both are in the 7 second range 0-60 though) and the engine sounds a tad more "refined", but it was also literally twice as expensive before even considering the tax credits...and it uses gas every trip and only gets 25-30 MPG doing so.
Don't get me wrong, we love the Highlander for SUV purposes, including having done some basic off-road 4wd type adventures, but that's not what I bought the Clarity for. Personally I'm satisfied with the optimization they chose; I wouldn't want to carry around a bigger/heavier/more expensive engine nor a bigger gas tank everyday at the expense of even a few miles of range. As is, for me it's a great everyday 40-mile commute and around town car that can also respectably handle a long (on-road!) trip.
ClarityBill
Active Member
The gauges app on my phone said it was 1021 ft elevation at the bottom of the hill, and 1582 ft at the top of the hill.
This morning, I went to HV mode with 3.2 EV miles remaining, at the bottom of the hill. Engine came on at 20.4% SOC. The engine stayed at 1500 rpm (warm-up mode) until SOC 10.2%. The SOC continued dropping to 0.8%, and I got to one bar on the battery meter. Engine peaked at 5400+ rpm, but I did not go below 0% SOC, and did not lose power.
I had the seat heater on low, and some heat from climate control. Light load of equipment (maybe 100 pounds).