Honda Accord

The new Accord is not as sporty in its outlook as its predecessor; the current Accord we have here. Honda has purposely attempted a more upscale and grown-up look, incorporating bits like the strong ridgeline running the entire length of the car and the sculpted lower body that gives the car a certain degree of heft not present on several Japanese cars. In fact, the heaviness of this design is almost European and this is actually a good thing.

The new Honda is five inches longer than the Toyota Camry and also an inch wider. Compared to the earlier model, it is much bigger and is also bigger than most of its competitors. There is also a massive amount of space and comfort owing to a lowered floor and re-positioned seats, which have allowed more room for passengers. The cabin of the new Accord is quite large and the quality of the inside is superior. The combination of leather, wood trim and soft-feel plastic carries over the sophisticated looks of the current Accord. Neatly laid-out controls for the music system and aircon are housed in the bottom-half of the central console, while Sat-Nav screen is placed on the top-half. In non-Sat-Nav models, the screen serves the purpose of displaying information from the music system, and there is even an iDrive-like scroll button.

As with every aspect of the car, the new Accord’s engine too will be more powerful. The 2.4, Honda’s mainstay in India, will get approximately 30bhp more taking the figure to an estimated 177bhp. The new motors have brand-new injectors that improve the manner in which the fuel is atomised. This along with other changes will optimise the motor for improved performance on lower octane fuels like our regular 91 octane. The bigger V6 has is even larger now; displacing 3.5litres and producing a massive 268bhp.

In addition, there is more great news. The new Accord will even have good fuel economy as Honda’s new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), cylinder de-activation system is sure to save you a tonne of fuel. This system works so that it allows the engine to run on four or even three cylinders when only limited power is called upon, and this makes a big difference to the overall economy. The cylinders get de-activated through full use of the VTEC system’s flexibility. The valves of the de-activated cylinders are shut and fuel supply is cut also.

Other changes include a tweaked suspension, re-designing of the rear suspension and a new more compact multi-link set-up with nitrogen gas-filled dampers. The front suspension towers also get a strut brace for greater resistance to the additional torque steer on the V6 Accord. A variable-ratio steering will also be on offer and this will provide a solid ‘on centre’ feel and require less effort at extremes. Indeed, an Accord to look forward to.