Although it was introduced as a “concept,” the athletic, expressive Honda Accord Coupe recently unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit will change little when it goes into production later this year—which is good news, because the show car, which previews the redesigned 2013 Accord family, had a lot to offer.
That includes a fresh new exterior design language that puts a sportier spin on the Accord’s chiseled good looks, led off by a new honeycomb-style grille, recessed multi-reflector headlights, and lower fog light spoilers featuring exquisite inlays of crystallized chrome. Strongly sculpted side character lines add a dynamic touch as well, and the car’s new appearance is cleanly finished by a bold rear fascia in which geometrically shaped, integrated exhaust tips provide a visual echo to the front’s fog light treatment.
That custom-style sheet metal then wraps up three different, all-new powertrain choices for the Accord roster, including the first U.S. application of Honda’s “Earth Dreams” 2.4-liter I4, with direct injection for enhanced fuel economy. It makes about 181 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, and can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although the automaker didn’t mention specifics, the word is that “the new four-cylinder-equipped 2013 Accord models are targeted to deliver class-leading fuel economy.”
A re-engineered 3.5-liter V6 also will be offered in the Accord family, and this bigger powerplant will be the first from Honda to leverage a new six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed DIY gearbox will be available, too. The result will be more power than is on tap with the 2012 V6—meaning the engine will make in excess of 271 hp/254 lb.-ft. of torque—plus, again, expected in-class fuel-efficiency leadership.
Saving the best for last, the 2013 Accord Sedan will be the first in the U.S. to boast Honda’s advanced two-motor plug-in hybrid powertrain. This system combines a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle I4 engine, a 6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a 120-kW electric motor and an electric CVT for optimized driving efficiency in all scenarios. The difference-maker here is that the system automatically and continuously chooses the right driving mode—all-electric, gasoline-electric hybrid and gasoline-engine only—to optimize performance depending on driving conditions.
And this includes up to 15 miles of all-electric propulsion, at a top speed of 62 mph. Per Honda, recharging the battery will take less than four hours with a 120-volt outlet and under 1.5 hours with a 240-volt charger.
Another change for the sedan: Honda engineers reduced its overall footprint to save weight, improve efficiency, and deliver nimbler proportions for quicker reflexes and upgraded handling.
Needless to say, all 2013 Accords will boast plenty of other technologies as well, including safety measures like a rearview camera system, lane-departure warning and forward-collision warning, along with infotainment/connectivity features such as Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Pandora Internet Radio interfaces, a color “intelligent Multi-Information Display,” and SMS text-messaging support.
The all-new, ninth-generation 2013 Honda Accord lineup goes into action this fall in both coupe and sedan body styles, with the breakthrough Accord Sedan plug-in hybrid to follow next winter.
You must log in to post a comment.