Here’s the 2013 Honda Accord, finally in all its detailed glory. This US-market car is the one we Malaysians will get, not the smaller Euro-market one, and there are a considerable array of changes, so it’s worth a look into.
There are six sedan variants and two powertrains on the menu: a 185 hp 2.4 litre Earth Dreams four-cylinder (CVT or six-speed manual) and a 278 hp 3.5 litre V6 (six-speed auto), which Honda says can return 6.5 and 6.9 litres per 100 km respectively. We know of a 2.0 litre version of the Earth Dreams engine, so perhaps we’ll hear more of that closer to our Malaysian launch. The Earth Dreams technology debuts in this Accord and is aimed at boosting efficiency (read more here in an in-depth report).
Both exterior length and wheelbase have been shortened by 76 and 25 mm respectively, but rear legroom is up by over 25 mm and boot space increased by 30 litres. The use of high-tensile steel in its body construction shaves 25 kg off the weight of the previous Accord, while improving structural strength and rigidity.
The previous car’s double wishbone front suspension has been replaced by a MacPherson strut setup, which is lighter and rides better. Rear suspension is independent multi-link. Electric power steering is now standard across the range, so are alloy wheels.
NVH levels have been improved all round, thanks to more comprehensive insulation and more interestingly, Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC). Essentially, ANC counteracts road noise while ASC deals with engine noise.
Both systems pick up sound waves through microphones and then emit a timed reverse phase audio signal through the door audio speakers to cancel out unwanted sounds. Honda says that with ASC, the result is a more linear sound pressure level as engine revs rise, reducing the effect of resonances, and at low revs the system can reduce sound pressure level by approximately 3 dB.
Gadgetry that come as standard include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink with Audio Streaming, rear-view camera, touch-screen interface with Pandora internet radio, SMS function (which can read out texts as well as reply to them with factory preset messages) and Eco Assist. An 8-inch Multi-Information Display shows, among lots of other vehicle functions, the LaneWatch blind spot display (on certain variants) which gives a wide-angle view of the roadway on the passenger side.
There’s the usual ABS with EBD and BA; however, Vehicle Stability Assist is now standard across the US Accord range and so are Hill Start Assist and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Other standard driving aids include Forward Collision Warning (which doesn’t feature automatic braking) and Lane Departure Warning, while Adaptive Cruise Control comes on the top Touring trim.
We know of three Accord variants so far: sedan, coupe and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Prices haven’t been officially revealed, but the sedan goes on sale in North America later this month, the coupe in October and the PHEV early next year – watch out for our detailed report on the PHEV, coming very soon.
sources from paultan.org
