Radical all-new Accord revealed
European looks Variable Steering system V6 gets cylinder de-activation
Yes, at first it looks like a Sonata. The high nose, long rectangular headlights and the strong shoulder line remind you of the Hyundai but that’s only at first glance. Unlike the current car, the new Accord is far less sporty in its outlook, and Honda has consciously gone for a more upscale and grown-up look. Bits like the strong ridgeline running the entire length of the car and the sculpted lower body lend the design a certain heft lacking in many Japanese cars. There’s almost a European heaviness to the design here, and that’s a good thing.
Being five inches longer and an inch wider than the Camry, it is much bigger than before and looks one size up compared to other competition as well. The lowered floor and re-positioned seats have liberated even more space for the passengers too and as a result you can expect a massive amount of useable space and comfort.
The cabin is large and it looks like Honda has kept quality high. The combination of leather, wood trim and soft feel plastic carries over the sophisticated looks of the current Accord’s. The bottom half of the central console houses the neatly laid-out controls for the music system and aircon, while the top half houses the Sat-Nav screen. In non-Sat-Nav models, the screen serves the purpose of displaying information from the music system, and there is even an i-drive-like scroll button.
The engines are now more powerful too. The 2.4, Honda’s mainstay in India, will get approximately 15bhp more taking the figure to an estimated 157bhp. The new motors have brand-new injectors that improve the manner in which the fuel is atomised. This along with other changes optimise the motor for improved performance on lower octane fuels like our regular 91 octane. Good news indeed.
The bigger V6 is now even larger. Displacing 3.5 litres now and producing a massive 268bhp running on full spec, this motor could make the new Accord the fastest saloon car in India, yet again. And for all those of you disappointed by the fuel economy of the current car, Honda’s new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), cylinder de-activation system is sure to save you a tonne of fuel. The system 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 de-activation of the cylinders is done by making full use of the the Vtec system’s flexibility. The valves of the de-activated cylinders are shut and fuel supply is cut as well.
Honda has also tweaked the suspension. The rear suspension has been re-designed and now gets a new more compact multi-link set-up with nitrogen gas-filled dampers. On the V6 Accord, the front suspension towers also get a strut brace for greater resistance to the additional torque steer. This coupled with a longer wheelbase, wider tracks and lower centre of gravity means that the new Accord should roll less and handle better than the outgoing car. Also on offer is a variable ratio steering that promises to provide a solid ‘on centre’ feel and less effort at the extremes. As ever with every new generation, a lot more Accord for your money.
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