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Showing posts with label Honda Accord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honda Accord. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The 2012 Honda Accord combines a unique balance of style, performance, efficiency and value within a diverse range of spacious sedan and sporty coupe models.
The 2012 lineup, features and specifications remain similar to the 2011 model year when the Accord received upgrades for fuel economy and styling, plus the addition of a Special Edition (SE) trim level. For 2012, a USB audio interface becomes standard on every Accord with the addition of the feature to the Accord LX, LX-P and SE Sedan models.
The Accord Sedan's exterior conveys an upscale and powerful presence with a prominent two-bar grille consisting of chrome-style crossbars, windswept headlights, inset character lines along the body sides and distinctively-shaped C-pillars. Building on the sedan's design character, the Accord Coupe's muscular stance is enhanced by a sporty front fascia design, a sleeker overall roof profile, a shorter wheelbase and an exclusive trunk and tailgate design.
The comfortable and spacious interior is complemented by high-quality materials with an emphasis on switchgear refinement. A hallmark of Honda design, the Accord exhibits simple and intuitive ergonomics with the audio, climate and vehicle controls organized by expected frequency of use. Often-used climate-control buttons are positioned on the left side of the center stack within easy reach of the driver for quick access. Less-frequently used buttons are positioned on the right side.
The front seats are designed to provide supportive cushions for long-range cruising comfort and progressive lateral support while cornering. The fold-down, rear seatback offers cargo-carrying versatility and also includes a lockable pass-through for long items.
The 2012 Honda Accord Sedan earns the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) best-possible Overall Vehicle Score1 of 5 stars. Helping the sedan achieve its top overall score were 5-star ratings in each of the three combined categories of overall frontal crash safety, overall side crash safety and rollover resistance. These achievements represent a significant safety milestone for the automotive industry, as the 2011 Accord Sedan was the first vehicle to receive 5-Star ratings in each combined category.
Listed by increasing levels of feature content, sedan models include the 4-cylinder Accord LX, LX-P (Premium), SE, EX and EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V-6 and EX-L V-6. Coupe models include the 4-cylinder Accord LX-S, EX, EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V-6 and EX-L V-6. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on all Accord EX-L models.
Four engine variations are available, starting with a 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter, i‑VTEC 4-cylinder engine in the Accord LX, LX-P and SE Sedans. Next is the 190-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that's standard in the Accord EX and EX-L Sedan models and all 4-cylinder coupe models. The top-of-the-line 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 271 horsepower and is available in the Accord EX and EX-L Sedan models and the Accord EX-L Coupe. To increase fuel efficiency, Accord V-6 models with automatic transmissions take advantage of Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology, an innovative valvetrain system that can deactivate up to half of the cylinders while cruising. The performance-oriented Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual transmission takes advantage of a special 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 VTEC engine that replaces VCM with a performance-tuned valvetrain, intake and exhaust systems to further broaden the torque curve in the low- to mid-rpm range.
Transmission choices vary by engine and trim level and include a 5-speed manual transmission (available on select 4-cylinder models) and a 5-speed automatic transmission (standard on select 4-cylinder models and all V-6 models). Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are standard on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with an automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission is available exclusively on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe.
Aerodynamic body features, low-friction engine technology and optimal transmission gear ratios all contribute to excellent fuel efficiency. The most fuel-efficient Accord model is the 4-cylinder sedan equipped with 5-speed automatic transmission, which returns an EPA-estimated 23/34/27 mpg city/highway/combined. The EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating for the Accord V-6 Sedan model is 20/30/24 mpg city/highway/combined, also with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
For safety, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. Extensive safety features include front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and driver's and front passenger's active head restraints.
The fully independent, double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension systems inspire confident handling performance while also providing a comfortable ride. The 2012 Accord Sedan comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers (alloy wheels on LX-P and SE), and 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on EX and above sedan models. The Accord Coupe (4-cylinder) has 17-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment, with 18-inch alloy wheels standard on the Accord V-6 Coupe. All Accords feature Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control and 4-wheel disc brakes with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS).
Three audio systems are available – all with MP3/Windows Media Audio (WMA) playback capability, an auxiliary input jack and the USB audio interface. The standard system provides a single-disc CD player, six speakers and 160 watts of power. Radio Data System (RDS) displays information broadcast by participating FM radio stations that often includes call letters, station type (searchable by genre) and programming information. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls come standard on every Accord. The Accord EX Sedan and LX-S Coupe add a 6-disc in-dash changer.
A premium 270-watt audio system comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models, which includes a 6-disc CD changer and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM Radio is standard equipment on all Accord EX-L models.
The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (available on Accord EX-L) has an 8-inch screen and an interface dial for user input. The navigation system features the Zagat Survey guide for restaurants, nightlife, hotels and attractions, in addition to a rear-view camera on the EX-L Sedan. Accord EX and EX-L Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink as standard equipment for connecting wirelessly with compatible mobile phones.
Currently more than 95 percent of new Accords sold in the United States are produced4 at Honda of America Manufacturing Inc.'s Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio. In its 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS), J.D. Power and Associates named the Accord as having the highest initial quality in its segment. Additionally, Car and Driver magazine has chosen the Honda Accord as one of its "10Best" vehicles 25 times in the 29 years that its editors have conducted the competition, more than any other vehicle in the award's history.
Friday, August 5, 2011
BREAKING NEWS: MASSIVE HONDA RECALL, 2.26 MILLION VEHICLES AFFECTED
0 comments Posted by st at 12:45 PM
Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. Certain 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element vehicles will be included in the voluntary recall. Without the updated software, the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing in the affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, as may be done in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. If the bearing is damaged in this unusual scenario, it can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear. The update to the vehicle's automatic transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage. No injuries or deaths have been reported related to this condition.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Notification to customers will begin on August 31, 2011.
When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after August 31, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling, and selecting option 4.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Notification to customers will begin on August 31, 2011.
When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after August 31, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling, and selecting option 4.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
One of the key factors were free maintenance plans that helped push the award winners to the top. Edmunds.com uses an algorithm that takes into account depreciation, financing interest, taxes and fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums assuming these vehicles are driven 15 000 miles per year.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
"I must admit that I’m not totally sold on the current generation Honda Accord. Although its engines and transmissions are remarkable, this latest version leaves me wanting. It’s bigger, longer and that little spark that made the Accord fun to drive is now all but gone. What’s more, while the coupe has a nice shape, the sedan’s lines leave something to be desired. That’s my opinion anyway, but as you know, there’s no accounting for taste."
For more, visit CarGuide's website @ http://www.carguideweb.com/articles/11711/
Honda has earned its best ranking, at 2nd place in a recent J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study for 2011. Honda led the industry having 7 models earn the top initial quality spots including the Honda Accord and Honda Civic. Honda's premium brand, Acura was next in line, topping out at 3rd place. This is the first time since 2002 that an automaker has won to the amount 7 1st place awards out of 11 models. Honda received 2nd overall but 1st among non-luxury brands.
Honda's Ridgeline earned the highest in the truck category while the Odyssey improved upon its initial quality score from last year's model. The Element and the CR-V earned 1st and 2nd place respectively while the mid-size crossover Accord Crosstour also earned the top initial quality. The Honda Fit and Honda Insight joined the list as well.
The Initial Quality Study surveys new car buyers to measure the initial quality of new vehicles after the first 90 days of ownership, it is recognized as a measure of vehicle quality and owner satisfaction. The study recognized Honda's Indiana, Ohio and Japan plants for superior manufacturing quality.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The March 11 earthquake in Japan might as well have occurred next door to the cluster of auto-assembly plants and suppliers northwest of Columbus.
In this landscape of small towns and cornfields, Honda is the largest employer, and Honda is hurting. Starting late last month, the company cut back to half-shifts because of an interruption of parts shipments from Japan.
For now, the Tokyo-based automaker is giving workers the option to get paid for full shifts by doing extra training or cleaning in the afternoons. Workers and community leaders wonder how long this can last before the crisis overseas begins to put a dent in paychecks here.
"They're being so generous, it's unreal," said Randy Jackson of Marysville, who retired from Honda two years ago. "How many companies would pay (auto workers) to push a broom?"
Honda leaders are proud that they have never had a layoff, and they don't expect to start now.
But most of the company's suppliers, the hundreds of companies that provide parts and services, do not have that luxury. Last week, Newman Technology in Mansfield laid off 130 of its 700 workers, citing the slowdown in orders for exhaust systems from Honda. Others will almost certainly follow.
"If Honda is making half of the cars they were, then the parts suppliers will make half the parts they were," said Peter T. Ward, a professor of management at Ohio State University and a consultant to auto companies. In other words, Honda will not stockpile locally made parts, so the cuts in production will be felt far and wide.
Honda employs about 13,400 people in Ohio, the company says, and auto-parts suppliers employ about 56,000 people serving various automakers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
When the earthquake occurred, Honda had enough parts to continue normal production in Ohio until March 30, when the partial shifts began. The company has said the half-days will continue through May 6 and likely longer.
"The past six weeks have been tremendously difficult, and frankly, a heart-rending time for Honda and everyone in our industry," said John Mendel, Honda's top sales executive in North America, speaking last week at the New York International Auto Show.
There is no precedent for this. Other supply interruptions, such as those due to labor unrest in U.S. ports, were finished well before North American plants ran out of supplies.
Other Japan-based automakers are sharing the pain. For example, Toyota has cut shifts at its U.S. plants and has said that work might be disrupted until November or December. U.S.-based automakers also have had to make adjustments because they use parts made in Japan.
Deep connections
When Jackson, the Honda retiree, heard about the earthquake, he thought of the people he met on his three trips to the country for work. On a 1995 trip to Kumamoto, he walked to the local fire station to see how Japanese fire departments compared to his volunteer fire department in Ohio.
He met the local fire captain and the two struck up a friendship, despite the fact that neither spoke the other's language. He ate dinners with the captain's family, and came to feel like part of the family. At the end of the monthlong trip, his newfound friends insisted on driving him to the airport.
"At the airport, we both stood there and bawled," he said. "We didn't want to leave each other. I couldn't believe his generosity."
Kumamoto, where Honda has a motorcycle factory, is in a part of the country not hit hard by the earthquake.
Many Honda employees have stories like this, about visits to Japan or experiences with Japanese workers who came to Ohio.
Roughly 70 Ohio employees were in Japan when the earthquake hit; none was injured. Because of these deep connections, and the implications for Honda in North America, the disaster is much more than just a news event.
Most Honda employees in Ohio work in a sprawling campus that straddles the Union-Logan county line, including two assembly plants, a research and development center and the North American headquarters. Up the road in Russells Point in Logan County, the company builds transmissions. Farther west, in Anna in Shelby County, is an engine plant.
Honda is one of the state's top 10 private employers and largest automaker.
Workers are down to half-shifts of manufacturing, but you wouldn't know it from looking at the employee parking lot. On a recent afternoon at the Marysville plant, the lot had thousands of cars. Most of the workers were inside doing optional tasks so that they could take home a full day's pay.
According to Jackson, most daytime workers are taking Friday afternoons off. Only a few are going home after production ends each day before lunch. Those who leave are unpaid unless they take vacation time.
He remembers what it was like during those days when staying at the plant meant taking training or cleaning.
"I always hated it because it got so darn boring," he said.
Workers paint, sweep or find other ways to fill the time. This is different from how it might go with U.S.-based automakers that are more likely to issue layoff notices than sacrifice short-term earnings.
The reluctance to consider layoffs "is unusual, but it is deeply ingrained in the way Honda does business," said Ward, the OSU professor.
But there will be negative ramifications for the company, and for other automakers with similar cultures, such as Toyota. "Honda stockholders are going to feel the pain a bit," he said. The company will try make up for short-term losses with long-term gains because of high worker retention and positive morale, he said.
"We are trying to use the down time to strengthen our team," said Caroline Ramsey, Honda's manager of government and community relations in Ohio.
She is looking ahead to a time when the parts supply is restored and the company is so busy with production that there won't be time for training or cleaning. She doesn't know when that might be, but she hopes it's soon.
Cautious waiting
In the cities near Honda plants, such as Marysville and Bellefontaine, almost everyone can point to a friend, neighbor or relative who works for Honda. Local governments and public schools are concerned about the lower level of production because of the potential drop in tax receipts.
Perhaps no community feels this as keenly as Marysville, which has the largest Honda presence and also has started design on two multimillion-dollar building projects for the municipal court and police and fire departments.
The city also is searching for a new administrator, and City Council President Nevin Taylor said that person will need to be ready for the possibility that city income-tax revenue will drop because of cuts at Honda.
"We are worried about the dollar here in the city, sure, but those worries are nothing compared to the people who are worried about the dollars at home," he said.
John Gore, the city's newly appointed mayor, wants to be ready for any setbacks, but he also wants citizens to remain calm. After all, Honda employees are still working close to full-time hours.
"It's almost like a wait and see," he said. "We know it could be an issue."
The larger concern is what might happen if the parts supply is disrupted for several more months. Honda officials say the situation is changing by the day, and they have not made public statements about long-term plans. Outside observers can do little more than speculate and wait.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Honda vehicles retain their value better than any other brand, according to an analysis by Edmunds.com.
In addition, four Honda models - the Civic compact, Accord sedan, CR-V crossover and Odyssey minivan - were named best in their segments.
"A lot of consumers just see it as a value-oriented brand that has good resale (value) and a good history of reliability," said Danny Zhou, senior analyst for Edmunds.
This is the first of what will be an annual report for Edmunds' Best Retained Value Awards, he said. The authors used past resale prices to estimate the prices of 2011 models when they are resold in five years.
Honda as a brand retains 50.4percent of its value, meaning that a $20,000 vehicle purchased this year is projected to sell for $10,400 in 2016. Toyota was next with 49.7 percent, followed by Mazda with 48.6 percent. The report lists only the three top luxury and nonluxury brands, for a total of six.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Honda in Australia is recalling 45 000 of its Accord Euro models over a faulty power steering hose that may start a fire under the bonnet. They were sold between June 2003 and June 2008. The hose may crack due to high temperatures and leak fluid and cause a fire. Honda will be contacting its Australian customers through mail and encourages its owners to visit the dealership if they have the model in concern. There have been reports of leaky hoses around Australia. No fires or serious injuries have been reported. This is the 4th recall battle for Honda in Australia since the year began. Since January, 80 000+ Hondas have been recalled in that country alone.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
BREAKING NEWS: Spiders Found in 2008-2009 Honda Accord, will Honda issue a recall?
0 comments Posted by st at 4:33 PM |
| The 2007-2009 Honda Accord Sedan |
The spider is called the Cheriacanthium inclusm in Latin and is crawling into the system through the outside fuel tank door which do fit snugly but is not airtight. The spiders are crawling down to the vent hole into a hidden space in tiny rubber hoses linked to fuel tanks. This could cause pressurization and ventilation problems in cars which could lead to fuel leaks or fires.
If you own one of these Accords on alert, be on the lookout ...
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
At the Geneva Motor Show, Honda is pulling out a revised version of the UK Accord that have lower CO2 emissions and higher equipment levels. Manual and auto diesel models are being introduced to increase the attractiveness of the revised Accord. The 150bhp diesel manual model has 138g of CO2 per km and auto models emit less than 150g of CO2 per km which is a substantial decrease from the 2010 UK Accord.
Bluetooth becomes standard along with 17-inch alloys, USB integration, cruise and dual-zone automatic climate control.
This step represents one in many of Honda UK to sharpen its engine and reduce fuel consumption and the environmental impact.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Honda is making a splash at the 2011 Toronto Auto Show with REMIX versions of the 2011 CR-Z and Accord Coupe. These models were developed with the help of the Performance Auto & Sound Magazine, showcasing the tuning potential of the Accord Coupe and CR-Z. The CR-Z REMIX has an AEM cold air intake, Magnaflow exhaust, BC Racing ER-Series coilovers, 18-inch Enkei wheels with high performance Yokohama S Drive tires as well as matte white paint and matte black accents. PASMAG also has inputted a sound system with a 6.1 inch touchscreen, high-end Arsenal amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers. The Accord Coupe received the same treatment except with 4-piston larger front brakes, 19-inchers and Phoneix Gold amplifiers with Energy speakers.
If you're interested in checking them out, they're on display from February 18-27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Honda has announced that it will premiere the 2011 Honda Accord Sedan/Estate for Europe at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. This version is basically our 2011 Acura TSX but with slight exterior modifications. Similar to the new refreshed 2011 Acura TSX, this 2011 EU Honda Accord has a revised front end, along with the addition of Active Cornering Lights (Active Lighting System on the RL) where the lights turn with the steering wheel and a High-Beam Support System that uses a CMOS camera to sense when to turn the bright lights on and off. Honda has also revised the dual-mode dampers for an improvement in ride quality as well as improving the quietness of the cabin.
Alabaster Silver, Graphite Luster and Celestial Blue Pearl are added as colors and inside you'll find new red illumination lighting for Type-S models and blue lighting for the other models. Along with the interior changes come slight revisions on the 2.2L i-DTEC diesel engine that allow it increase fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions by just a small amount. "reduced internal frictional losses" and "underbody aerodynamic aids" were two things Honda employed to help them achieve this reduction.
Here is the Press Release.
The revised Honda Accord sedan and Tourer models will make their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Both cars receive a host of changes with the styling, emissions, ride and handling all enhanced for 2011.
Summary of Changes:
• Revised exterior styling
• Detail changes to interior finishes
• Improvements to emissions and economy on all engines
• 138 g/km 2.2 i-DTEC introduced
• Ride and handling improvements for all models
• Auto High-Beam Support System and Active Cornering Lights debut on Accord
• 180 PS Type S model now available across Europe with bespoke interior and exterior styling
Exterior Design
Both the sedan and Tourer have benefitted from small but noticeable changes to the head lights and bumpers to complement the changes under the skin. The head lights have been given a cleaner, crisper appearance with the previously amber indicators now in a clear finish. On top grade cars the lights are now bi-xenon and feature Active Cornering Lights to improve night time visibility. The grille has been subtly remodelled with the two central spars finished in the same chrome material as the outer grille, for a sportier look. The cooling duct and fog light recesses on all models have been re-profiled with the taper of these areas given a more aggressive line, giving the car a more planted appearance.
The rear of the sedan model has been subtly enhanced with the rear lights having a light red finish for the reversing light and indicators to match that of the fog light, giving a balance to the rear styling. The exclusive styling of the sedan is rounded off with a light chrome garnish above the rear licence plate on most models and a dark chrome finish on Type S grade cars. The new exterior design cues are finished off with three new colours consisting of Alabaster Silver, Graphite Lustre and Celestial Blue Pearl added to the line up.
Interior Design
The exterior styling changes have been complemented by a number of subtle changes to the interior with most grades having new seat materials and door linings, changing the ambience of the cabin. Type S models have exclusive half leather, seats in a dark grey finish and a black head lining to further distinguish the top grade. The metal-look finish interior trim that covers the hand brake, gear lever surround, steering wheel garnish, door inlays, with a red background and sweeps up across the centre of the dash is now in a darker hue, to complement the new interior fabrics. The footwells of the majority of models are now illuminated blue if the headlights are on and red on Type S models.
Fuel Economy and Emission Improvements
The refined 2.2 litre 150 PS i-DTEC diesel engine has had internal frictional losses reduced to improve fuel economy and emissions. The result of these changes is an 9 g/km drop in CO2 emissions for the sedan with the 6-speed manual transmission and an 11 g/km reduction for the automatic variant. These internal changes have been combined with a host of underbody aerodynamic aids, including a larger front air dam, underfloor and a rear subframe cover Honda's engineers have also put effort into reducing the frictional losses in the wheels and tyres with low friction wheel bearings and reduced rolling resistance tyres. Accords equipped with Automatic transmission have also benefitted from minimised frictional losses in the gearbox and optimised ratios to improve economy and emissions.
Quieter Cabin
The already impressive NVH performance of the current Accord has been further improved with the adoption of higher density foam in the under bonnet and dashboard areas. The underfloor noise insulation has also been revised and teamed with additional sound deadening shields on the DPF and exhaust manifold cover of the diesel engine. The suite of noise reductions techniques is completed with a small 0.9 mm increase in the thickness of the rear window glass, improving the rear passenger experience.
Chassis
Engineers from Japan worked with their counterparts in Germany and the UK to further refine the dampers of the Accord Tourer and sedan for the vast range of road conditions found in Europe. Detailed refinement of the dual mode dampers has given improvement in both high speed stability for highway driving and a significant improvement in ride quality, even over poor road surfaces.
Active Cornering Lights
One of the most visible changes to the top of the range Accords is the addition of Active Cornering Lights, which provide enhanced illumination when the vehicle is turning. Additional lights units have been subtly integrated into the existing lights units, casting all of their light to the side of the vehicle to help the driver in low visibility conditions. The light unit on the relevant side will be illuminated when the driver activates the indicators in that direction or turns the steering wheel more than 90 degrees. When the vehicle is in reverse, both lights will be activated to give a good view to either side of the driver.
High-Beam Support System
Another new lighting technology for Honda is the High Beam Support system, which is fitted on vehicles with the bi-xenon headlights. This system is controlled by a CMOS camera fitted to the windscreen in the area of the driver rear view mirror. The camera detects oncoming headlights or the taillights of a vehicle in front and automatically dips the headlights onto their normal setting if they are on high-beam. This allows the driver to fully concentrate on the road conditions, without having to manually control the high-beam setting.
The new Accord goes on sale across Europe from April this year.
Summary of Changes:
• Revised exterior styling
• Detail changes to interior finishes
• Improvements to emissions and economy on all engines
• 138 g/km 2.2 i-DTEC introduced
• Ride and handling improvements for all models
• Auto High-Beam Support System and Active Cornering Lights debut on Accord
• 180 PS Type S model now available across Europe with bespoke interior and exterior styling
Exterior Design
Both the sedan and Tourer have benefitted from small but noticeable changes to the head lights and bumpers to complement the changes under the skin. The head lights have been given a cleaner, crisper appearance with the previously amber indicators now in a clear finish. On top grade cars the lights are now bi-xenon and feature Active Cornering Lights to improve night time visibility. The grille has been subtly remodelled with the two central spars finished in the same chrome material as the outer grille, for a sportier look. The cooling duct and fog light recesses on all models have been re-profiled with the taper of these areas given a more aggressive line, giving the car a more planted appearance.
The rear of the sedan model has been subtly enhanced with the rear lights having a light red finish for the reversing light and indicators to match that of the fog light, giving a balance to the rear styling. The exclusive styling of the sedan is rounded off with a light chrome garnish above the rear licence plate on most models and a dark chrome finish on Type S grade cars. The new exterior design cues are finished off with three new colours consisting of Alabaster Silver, Graphite Lustre and Celestial Blue Pearl added to the line up.
Interior Design
The exterior styling changes have been complemented by a number of subtle changes to the interior with most grades having new seat materials and door linings, changing the ambience of the cabin. Type S models have exclusive half leather, seats in a dark grey finish and a black head lining to further distinguish the top grade. The metal-look finish interior trim that covers the hand brake, gear lever surround, steering wheel garnish, door inlays, with a red background and sweeps up across the centre of the dash is now in a darker hue, to complement the new interior fabrics. The footwells of the majority of models are now illuminated blue if the headlights are on and red on Type S models.
Fuel Economy and Emission Improvements
The refined 2.2 litre 150 PS i-DTEC diesel engine has had internal frictional losses reduced to improve fuel economy and emissions. The result of these changes is an 9 g/km drop in CO2 emissions for the sedan with the 6-speed manual transmission and an 11 g/km reduction for the automatic variant. These internal changes have been combined with a host of underbody aerodynamic aids, including a larger front air dam, underfloor and a rear subframe cover Honda's engineers have also put effort into reducing the frictional losses in the wheels and tyres with low friction wheel bearings and reduced rolling resistance tyres. Accords equipped with Automatic transmission have also benefitted from minimised frictional losses in the gearbox and optimised ratios to improve economy and emissions.
Quieter Cabin
The already impressive NVH performance of the current Accord has been further improved with the adoption of higher density foam in the under bonnet and dashboard areas. The underfloor noise insulation has also been revised and teamed with additional sound deadening shields on the DPF and exhaust manifold cover of the diesel engine. The suite of noise reductions techniques is completed with a small 0.9 mm increase in the thickness of the rear window glass, improving the rear passenger experience.
Chassis
Engineers from Japan worked with their counterparts in Germany and the UK to further refine the dampers of the Accord Tourer and sedan for the vast range of road conditions found in Europe. Detailed refinement of the dual mode dampers has given improvement in both high speed stability for highway driving and a significant improvement in ride quality, even over poor road surfaces.
Active Cornering Lights
One of the most visible changes to the top of the range Accords is the addition of Active Cornering Lights, which provide enhanced illumination when the vehicle is turning. Additional lights units have been subtly integrated into the existing lights units, casting all of their light to the side of the vehicle to help the driver in low visibility conditions. The light unit on the relevant side will be illuminated when the driver activates the indicators in that direction or turns the steering wheel more than 90 degrees. When the vehicle is in reverse, both lights will be activated to give a good view to either side of the driver.
High-Beam Support System
Another new lighting technology for Honda is the High Beam Support system, which is fitted on vehicles with the bi-xenon headlights. This system is controlled by a CMOS camera fitted to the windscreen in the area of the driver rear view mirror. The camera detects oncoming headlights or the taillights of a vehicle in front and automatically dips the headlights onto their normal setting if they are on high-beam. This allows the driver to fully concentrate on the road conditions, without having to manually control the high-beam setting.
The new Accord goes on sale across Europe from April this year.
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