I just saw this story, I was curious about the 2006 HAH, does anybody know what it means by the "updated control calibration"?




(AXcess News) Washington - The Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged the certification by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. that several of its vehicles meet the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified hybrid motor vehicle. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2006, and could be as much as $3,400 for those who purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles.

The hybrid vehicle certifications recently acknowledged by the IRS and their credit amounts are:

Honda Civic Hybrid CVT Model Year 2006 $2,100.00

Honda Civic Hybrid (SULEV) MT Model Year 2005 $1,700.00

Honda Civic Hybrid (SULEV) CVT Model Year 2005 $1,700.00

Honda Insight CVT Model Year 2005 $1,450.00

Honda Insight CVT Model Year 2006 $1,450.00

Honda Accord Hybrid AT Model Year 2006 $1,300.00*

Honda Accord Hybrid AT Model Year 2005 $650.00

*2006 Honda Accord Hybrid AT without updated control calibration qualifies for a credit amount of $650.

Starting in 2006, the tax credit replaces the tax deduction of $2,000, which was previously allowed for taxpayers who purchased a new hybrid vehicle before Dec. 31, 2005. The tax credit requires a different certification. Many currently available hybrid vehicles may qualify for this new tax credit.

Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.

IRS.gov has more information on hybrid vehicles and other alternative motor vehicles.

Source: IRS.gov

 

I'm curious about that too ....?

 

dunno. Who feels like calling Honda up?

 

I called Honda!

Apparently, Honda introduced an engine and IMA control software change to the HAH sometime in April. Vehicles will have to have this update to be eligible for the full $1300 tax credit versus $650 without the update. The Honda rep I spoke with said that dealers should have the update available by the end of July for owners of '06 vehicles produced before the change was implemented on the production line. He also suggested that there should be no charge to have the update installed.

The rep couldn't tell me what the effect of the update is other than that it improves fuel economy - my guess is that city mileage will improve while highway mileage will be mostly unaffected.

 

VERRRRY interesting. Thank you so much!

Calling anyone who has a post-April 06 HAH...

My guess is they realized that IMA was about useless for assist, and have shifted the logics to make it engage more often/agressively with lighter throttle- like to let you keep eco lit for longer while just cruising at lower speed.

Its very unusual for a mid-year stealth rollout of something that affects the vehicle so noticeably (we hope) like MPG. I can't wait to see some real results!

 

Someone who owns a post April 2006 HAH might be able to tell us the difference. Or one of us who owns a pre April HAH should go to a dealer and drive a post April HAH and tell us the difference. one at a dealer. The manufacture date is on the lower door frame inside the front door.

I too would think the assist would be used more at lower speed or that is would move the car without the gas engine at very low speed like the Prius.

Doubling the tax incentive must mean a major improvement.

Jay

 

Thanks to VMA131Marine for contacting Honda.

I received my HAH '06 in February, so I will be contacting the dealer to see when I can get the update.

I am very interested to see how it improves my mileage. In the city I am getting around 26 mpg, but on the highway I am closer to 40 mpg. A very big difference.

I love the car, would love to see the city mileage improve a bit.

 

It is not possible for IMA to propel accelerate or move the car alone- the motor is directly connected to the engine crankshaft. The best we can hope for is a software change to permit more liberal use of IMA and/or VCM (3cylinder mode) while crawling around making a gain in city MPG.

As for the expected improvement, I am looking for the formula used to back out what the expected MPG should be, based on the credit amount and class averages. At best, I suspect it may bring the 06 almost back up to the 05 MPG estimate on the city side (29).

 

I have a 05 HAH, and wasn't aware that the 06 got less city mileage. Would this upgrade be available for an 05 and what kind of difference would it make? My local dealer didn't know what I was talking about when I mentioned the upgrade for the 06.

 

I was not aware that the 06 HAH's gas mileage is less than the 05. Honda told me the upgrade is for the pre April 06 HAH. Our 06 HAH was built 11/05. The IRS increased the tax incentive for the 06 HAH with the engine control upgrade which Honda it will notify owners of the pre April 06 HAH to go to their dealer in late July for the upgrade. I called Honda in L.A. They were very helpful.