**All new Accord**

[alex_gt]

Well the Motoring Magazines have been holding their breath for this: The all New :honda: Accord....

Honda's current model is arguably brilliant but if falling behind the likes of :ford:, :vauxhall:, :nissan:, :mazda: and other cars in the Family/Executive Saloon category.. It'll need to be good to win over the Fleet Buyers :chkflag:

So, first Impressions? We can bet money :2cents: on those engines being Japanese winners but what's everyones thoughts 💡 on the Design and new Technical updates? :magnify:

Will it overtake the old Honda's competitive Rivals? :car::gcar:

NEW ACCORD

New engines, new gearboxes, same numpties with fog lights on

Over the years the Honda Accord has grown in credibility thanks to a bit of touring car racing and some hotter models not pedaled by retired majors. Honda are now launching another generation of the car you never recognised and these days they pitch it as a sports saloon rather than blue-rinse transport.

Stressing the new Accord’s technological sophistication and performance, Honda are quick to point out the merits of their two all-aluminium DOHC i-VTEC engines of 2.0 and 2.4 litre capacity which produce about 150bhp and 190bhp respectively. These units are coupled to new 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions or even a 5-speed automatic with sequential shift.

Accords have done a tremendous job of blending in with other unrecognisable Japanese Saloons in the past to Honda have been working on making the new Accord more distinctive. They've succeeded at the front with a more defined face but the rear remains unremarkable.

Honda are particularly proud of the drag coefficient of just Cd 0.26. This places right at the top end of its class. To put this into perspective, the world’s lowest drag coefficient for a production road car is the Honda Insight, which achieves a Cd of 0.25.

The aerodynamic package is matched by a chassis developed in Europe to provide a strong sense of security, using Honda’s established and respected double wishbone front and 5-link double wishbone rear suspension designs, revised in a number of key areas.

Built in Japan, the Accord saloon offered on sale in Europe will be similar to that on sale in Japan. The US market has a different Accord sedan built specifically in the US and tailored for the American market (with thirty eight cup holders). Available at launch as a saloon only, the simplified line-up makes its public debut at the Paris Show in September, with sales commencing in early 2003.

 

[Duke]

Not bad. Still somewhat boring to look at though they've obviously been cribbing from Mazda. Nice enough but not earth-shattering.

The powertrains sound interesting at least on the Euro/Japan-spec cars (and I resent the cupholder statement).

I'm sure it's a nice car and I'm sure you're going to have a love fest over how amazing it is and better than anything else on the planet that costs less than two years' salary.

 

[TVRKing]

Is it me or is the new Honda Accord similar to the Mazda 6?

 

[Duke]

No it's not just you. :smilewink

 

[1X83Z]

Has anyone got any pictures of what it will look like in America (yes, they're different)?

 

[1X83Z]

Oh, my thoughts?

It rocks - the Camry's re-design was a step in the wrong direction. The last Accord was a frank rip-off of the last Camry, and now Honda realises that the new Camry is ugly as all hell. Fortunately, we've got some good-looking competitors in the segment - in America, we've got the similar (in design) Altima and Mazda6, and now, the Accord. We've also got the Passat, which is a very nice auto. I wish they'd re-do the Taurus to make it a competitor again, but I hear it may be cancelled in a few years, which would really suck (remember in 1990 when the Taurus came out and was like the best-selling car in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, etc.? I've heard insiders looking back on the Taurus now and recalling the sleepless nights they had in the days prefacing the launch of that car - it was the single best move Ford had since they began building a pickup truck right after World War II).

Why, by the way, did it take Chevrolet so long to come up with the realisation that family sedans sell? About ten years after the Taurus, they FINALLY came out with the Malibu, and they absolutely insist the design is lasting enough to get them into 2004.

 

[Hooligan]

Yes, very much Mazda 6, only more angular. Still a bit high-waisted and tubby. From certain angles it almost looks like a hatchback:

Ironically, from most of the other angles it looks very much the same as the previous version. Interior approaches some type of individuality other than "plastic parts bin", and the lower center console looks interesting. More plastic, I'm sure, but an attempt nonetheless.

The engines are nice, but I'm sure they'll follow the 5-year trend of all Japanese manufacturers: Increase rated output, reduce quality of engine components. I mean, how do we go from the venerable B18C to the K20? The old-school WRX's closed deck to the current Honda-cylinder-copy? The Skyline's RB26DETT -- gone; Supra's 2JZ-GTE -- nowhere to be found.

Europe gets the idea: VAG has kept the wonderful 1.8T around for more than a decade, and the replacement will be better; the wide range of Mercedes AMG lumps; the stupendous BMW new M3 engine.

America gets it, too: Chevy's new version of the 5.7 V8 (i.e., the Z06 part number); Ford's evolution of the Mustang GT 5.0 to 4.6 to 2003 SVT Cobra supercharged surprise; even Chrylser's Neon SRT-4 turbo 4-pot is worthy.

Japan just doesn't get it. They are the prime target in the aftermarket world, and they just keep making things harder. Why the pencil-thin conrods in the Matrix with it's 12:1 compression ratio? How do you expect anyone to do anything without replacing half the engine (either before or after it blows up)? Who cares about some crappy Celica bodykit if the wheezy 1.8L four has a 1500rpm useable rev range (and what the 'eff happened to the GT-4)? And don't get me started on doubts about the 3.5L peice of crap Nissan's been passing around. No more than 310HP -- ever -- from any tuner. I guarantee it; not without totally replaced internals (and the help of more than one turbo). At least Mazda gets it to some degree (handling), but they aren't exactly chomping at the bit for power.

The Japanese auto industry needs a major kick in the butt. Not ten years ago there was a plethora of wonderful engines to choose from every manufacturer, and despite the horrific interiors (and some questionable exteriors) there are many good cars that I would still consider today -- used, even! Now they've improved the exterior (well, some people say so), and they inside is definitely better, but what made the cars so great (great mechanicals for low cost) is disappearing faster than jelly beans at a Regan reunion. I'm happy to have my WRX, but I wouldn't dream of modfying it unless I could go all out -- and replace everything under the hood.

 

[alex_gt]

Originally posted by TVRKing
Is it me or is the new Honda Accord similar to the Mazda 6?

Good Point :thumbsup:

There's definately a resemblence in the nose?

Here's the rear/side :gcar:

 

[Solid Fro]

It looks like an Integra/RSX to me.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Yeah, it's not too bad looking. Very like the 6 though, MazKid must be quaking at the borrowing of his company's design ideas!

 

[Mugen]

It looks great compared to the American one which is over weight and odd looking. I bet that dark blue one would look mean with the Mugen ground effects and wing they probably make. I'd take a 190 hp six-speed four cyl over the US V6 version any day.

 

[Talentless]

Why must we yanks suffer so. even the metro laughs at our accord.

 

[Sertsa]

I like the Europe/Japan market one better than what's coming here, from what I've seen.

Car & Driver's carrying a story on both, stating that the Euro/Japan Accord is planned to also be sold in the US, as an Acura.

 

[alex_gt]

Yea unfortunately European cars :car: are too economic for the :USA:... USA cars have strict regulations to get an average of 10mpg...

 

[Robin2]

Originally posted by neon_duke
...they've obviously been cribbing from Mazda.

looks that way.

 

[Zero]

Yeah i like the new accord the v-6 version gets a 240hp v-6

 

[alex_gt]

Ah yes :honda: have done well here :smilewink

 

[Duke]

When do you ever think they haven't done well?!
:blindfold

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by neon_duke
When do you ever think they haven't done well?!
:blindfold

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Luckly, the Euro/JDM-spec Accord will arrive here in the US as the new Acura TSX (as you can see the taillights kinda resemble the RSX), it will be slotted between the RSX and the TL as the "RSX sedan". This car is smaller then the US-spec Accord (mainly for American Family taste), and the TSX will be a sportier side of the Accord (a more driver oriented, sort of).

 

[alex_gt]

Originally posted by neon_duke
When do you ever think they haven't done well?!
:blindfold

What the? I was just saying that :honda: have done well with this new Car, where's the Joke?

 

[Duke]

My point: you always think Honda has done well with any car they produce. M5 was ROTFL because I put the little "blindfolded" smilie after the post.
:smilewink
Need to have it explained in more detail?

 

[alex_gt]

Your just assuming I think :honda: did well? Don't assume things Neon, I was basing my Opinion on the information I found out about it and the design :gcar:

 

[Duke]

I'm basing my assumption on what I've seen you write lo these past months. I've never seen you put a single solitary negative comment about Hondas. Ever.

Perhaps I've missed one, but based on the evidence at hand I would say it's a pretty safe assumption that you always think Hondas are nearly perfect.

And, by the way, I'm still waiting for you to refute a single statement I've made in support of my Neons. I don't care about customner satisfaction surveys, consumer reports, etc. I'm a satisfied Neon buyer so I have no reason to be told I'm not. I've never sold a car with under 200,000 miles on it or worth more than a thousand dollars anyway so I don't give a crap about resale value.

Show me amateur racing results, performance numbers, skidpad results, power figures, etc. where the Civic does better at the same or lower cost.

That will get my respect for the Civic. All the rest of your enthusiaistic gushing will not.

 

[Meglomaniac]

i think that new accord looks alright, the older one was a bit dull, but overall that car is not toobad at all, its a good sensible car.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by neon_duke
I don't care about customner satisfaction surveys, .

Are you conceding that customers (aside from you) as a whole dislike the Neon?

 

[alex_gt]

Well in another thread M5 Power I stated that customers of a BBC Top Gear ( :uk: mag) rated the :honda: Civic better than the :chrysler: Neon..

And Neon Duke I haven't gave any negative comments about :honda: because well I couldn't find any? No car is perfect and Honda is know exception, however there aren't any serious faults that jump out are there?

I'm saying the Civic is a better Car :car: to own over the Neon...Build Quality far better etc.. I haven't driven or raced either so..:teleport:

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by alexy2k
I'm saying the Civic is a better Car to own over the Neon...Build Quality far better etc.. I haven't driven or raced either so..

You keep saying this 'build quality' thing being far better - and then you say you've never owned or driven either?!

You mean I've been wasting my time with somebody who has NO idea what he's talking about? Cheez-and-rice! I'm done. If all you're going to do is parrot gushing consumer surveys I have no more time to waste on the subject. What on earth are you basing 'your' opinion on? And you've asked for my respect?

And no, M5, I am not conceding that customers on the whole 'dislike' the Neon. In fact if you care about such things, its customer satisfaction results are quite high. All I'm saying is that I refuse to let customer popularity surveys tell me what I should like and dislike. I've driven both my Neons and contemporary Honda Civics, and even if they cost the same, I'd still prefer the Neon far over the Civic because it is so much more fun to frive and has more room. Add in the increased purchase cost, and the higher parts/repair cost of the Honda, and it loses by an even bigger margin in my book.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by neon_duke


And no, M5, I am not conceding that customers on the whole 'dislike' the Neon. In fact if you care about such things, its customer satisfaction results are quite high. All I'm saying is that I refuse to let customer popularity surveys tell me what I should like and dislike. I've driven both my Neons and contemporary Honda Civics, and even if they cost the same, I'd still prefer the Neon far over the Civic because it is so much more fun to frive and has more room. Add in the increased purchase cost, and the higher parts/repair cost of the Honda, and it loses by an even bigger margin in my book.

I wish I had a car that was fun to frive! Aah, I had to stoop low.

Actually, most people would argue that the Civic's parts cost more because they use higher-quality parts. Personally I find this statement appalling. As an avid Honda-hater myself, I hate it when people refer to American Car 'x' as being 'plasticky' when it's pretty obvious that Japanese cars use just as much plastic, but somehow get away with it.

That said, maybe it's a higher-grade plastic. I'm not really a plastics expert, so I couldn't say.

 

[Joey D]

The new accord looks like a Benz in my opinion