The
latest generation of Accord no longer offers separate versions
for domestic market and European market. They are reunified into
a single version and all cars are built in Japan. Why? because
for many years of struggling the Accord still failed to earn a
position in the intense European market (Honda found the USA
market is much easier), thus it is better to save money and
concentrate on the profitable Japanese and American versions.
The new Japanese / European
Accord is quite handsome - more beautiful than Ford Mondeo, more
elegant than Mazda 6 and nearly matches the quality feel of
Volkswagen Passat. Its body profile doesn’t look as smooth as
Mazda 6, but aerodynamic drag is actually class-leading (and
lead by a large margin) - 0.26, partly helped by underbody
panels. This not only reduce fuel consumption but also lower
wind noise at cruising.
The
interior is not as stylish as exterior, nor feeling as high in
quality. The diamond-shape center console mirrors the design of
grille, but it looks oddly untidy. However, controls are
sensibly positioned while driving position is multi-adjustable.
Space isn’t a strong point of the Japanese / European Accord,
because its exterior dimensions and wheelbase are smaller than
rivals. This mean sitting inside the cabin you won’t feel it as
big as Mondeo and Passat.
In the mechanical side, the new
Accord builds on the (not really solid) foundation of the
previous generation. It is still one of the few cars in class
employing double-wishbones front suspensions instead of the more
common MacPherson struts. Theoretically, this should give it an
edge in handling, but we shall discuss that later. At the rear,
it continues to use a 5-link suspensions which is basically a
double-wishbones added with a toe-control link. What Honda did
this time is to revise the geometry and stiffen the subframe on
which the suspensions are mounted.
2
engines are offered. The first one is a 155hp 2.0-litre i-VTEC
engine already used in various other models. The "i" in "i-VTEC"
means intelligent continuously variable cam phasing at the
intake camshaft. This give it much more linear power delivery.
The second engine is a new 190hp 2.4-litre i-VTEC, a long-stroke
four-cylinder equipped with balance shafts. What makes it
producing more horsepower per litre than the smaller engine is
the duplication of VTEC device at the exhaust camshaft and that
it runs at higher compression ratio.
With the 190hp engine mated
with a new 5-speed automatic, this drivetrain is really a gem.
The engine is powerful yet smooth and quiet (quieter than the
2.0-litre). The gearbox shift seamlessly and responsively
(5-speed manual for the 2.0 is not as good). In addition to the
lack of wind noise at speed and remarkable high-speed damping,
the Accord 2.4 is a perfect highway transport.
What about in twisty roads?
well, decent rather than outstanding. As the European Accord was
tuned in Germany, its low-speed damping on rougher surfaces
cannot match French cars. On the other hand, its handling -
though sharpened a lot from the previous generation - still
trails the class-leading Ford Mondeo and Mazda 6. There is no
special failure in any area, but it doesn’t inspire the driver
much - no much steering feel, no much feedback from brake pedal.
Push it harder and you will find its cornering limit is lower
than the aforementioned rivals.
Honda declares the new Accord
as a BMW-style driver’s car. If so, maybe Ford and Mazda can
declare their cars as Porsche-rivaling.
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Accord Euro R

The name "Euro R" is quite
misleading. It is actually for Japanese market only. Euro R is
the highest performance version of Accord. Basically, the whole
drivetrain comes from Integra Type R, with a 220hp 2.0-litre
engine mated with 6-speed manual gearbox and limited slip
differential. Power is therefore 30hp up from the 2.4-litre
Accord, but the smaller engine generates considerably less
torque and it needs a lot of rev to exploit the performance.
Considering the kerb weight of almost 1400kg, a normally
aspirated 2.0 engine is obviously too weak.
Predictably, Euro R gets
stiffer suspension setup and wider low-profile tyres (215/45)
and bigger 17-inch wheels, just like Integra Type R. Extra body
kits add visual appeal.
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American
Accord
USA
is definitely the most important market for Honda Accord, even
eclipsing the domestic market. For more than a decade, Accord
has been either no. 1 or no. 2 seller in America sales chart,
together with arch-rival Toyota Camry. Enjoying a sales of more
than 400,000 units a year there, Honda can afford to build an
Accord differing from the Japanese / European version to suit
the American taste.
The most
obvious difference between American taste an others is size -
American always ask for big cars and big engines. As you can see
from the specifications table below, American Accord is one size
larger than Japanese / European Accord. To save your time, here
gives you the picture: it is 15cm longer, 6cm wider and the
wheelbase is 7cm longer. The American Accord also get bigger
engines - 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6, the latter
is not available elsewhere. Choosing the V6 and you end up at
1560kg, 150kg heavier than the top Japanese Accord.
However,
compare with the previous generation American Accord, the new
one gained just a little width and height while overall size
remains largely unchanged. Interior space was not altered as
well, but this is still a large and comfortable cabin by any
standard.
The
next American taste influencing the Accord is the preference of
comfort over driver appeal. Although the basic suspensions share
with other Accords, the choice of springs, dampers and anti-roll
bars bias towards the soft side. No wonder it rides smoothly but
rolls and pitches in corner more than keen drivers like. It also
understeers early and feels a bit nose heavy for the V6 version.
Steering feel is again muted. Grip level is unremarkable. Some
road testers talk about improvement of driver appeal, such as
heavier and more accurate steering, improved power, tidier body
control etc., but after waiting for 5 years we expect much more
improvement than that. There are too many rivals now eclipse the
Accord for driver appeal, such as Volkswagen Passat and Nissan
Altima, while Mazda 6 is another league higher. Even Toyota
Camry now matches the Accord, what a shame to a car once praised
for fun to drive.
Space
and ride comfort aside, the American Accord seems unable to
match the Japanese version in many ways. Its exterior design has
been criticized by many journalists and can only be described as
"dull". Its drag coefficient, at 0.30, is much worse than
Japanese Accord’s 0.26. Its 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine generates 30
less horsepower than the Japanese equivalent.
The 3.0 V6
evolves from the previous generation. Still employs a VTEC head
instead of the more sophisticated i-VTEC of the four-cylinder
engine, and still a sohc design, it is amazing that Honda can
push maximum power to 240hp, 40 more than before. This is done
by merely smoothing intake and exhaust breathing and using
larger valves. It can propel the car from rest to 60mph in 7
seconds flat, very quick for a family car. Both V6 and the
balance-shaft-incorporated four-cylinder are smooth and refined.
The highlight
of American Accord is still the way it rides and travels with
minimum noise and vibration. The smooth-shifting new 5-speed
automatic is another good point, just like the refined power
plant. These are most buyers concern, but are they enough to
distinguish the new Accord from competitors? this year’s sales
figure will tell, but it already lost support from the car
enthusiasts here in AutoZine.
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Acura TSX
American Honda imports the
top-spec Japanese Accord 2.4 to sell as Acura TSX. It is
therefore sportier and more compact than the Accord American
get.
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Specifications
Model
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Jap/Euro
Accord 2.0
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Euro Accord
2.4 Type-S
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Accord Euro
R
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Layout
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Front-engined, Fwd
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Front-engined, Fwd
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Front-engined, Fwd.
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Size (L / W / H / WB) mm
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4665 / 1760 / 1445 / 2670
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4665 / 1760 / 1445 / 2670
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Engine
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Inline-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT
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Inline-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT,
balance shafts.
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Inline-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT
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Capacity
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1998 c.c.
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2354 c.c.
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1998 c.c.
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Power
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155 hp
|
190 hp
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220 hp
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Torque
|
140 lbft
|
163 lbft
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152 lbft
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Transmission
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5M
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6M
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6M
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Suspensions
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F: double wishbones; R: 5-link
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Tyres
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195/65 VR15
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205/55 VR16
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215/45 ZR17
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Weight
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1357 kg
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1420 kg
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1390 kg
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Top speed
|
137 mph (claimed)
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146 mph (claimed)
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N/A
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0-60 mph
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8.0 sec**
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7.5 sec (est)
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N/A
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0-100 mph
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21.8 sec**
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N/A
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N/A
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Model
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American
Accord 2.4
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American
Accord V6
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Configuration
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Front-engined, Fwd
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Front-engined, Fwd
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Size (L / W / H / WB) mm
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4813 / 1815 / 1455 / 2740
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Engine
|
Inline-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT,
balance shafts.
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V6, sohc, 4v/cyl, VVT.
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Capacity
|
2354 c.c.
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2997 c.c.
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Power
|
160 hp
|
240 hp
|
Torque
|
161 lbft
|
212 lbft
|
Transmission
|
5M
|
5A
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Suspensions
|
F: Double wishbones; R: 5-link
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Tyres
|
195/65 VR15
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205/60 VR16
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Weight
|
N/A
|
1560 kg
|
Top speed
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
0-60 mph
|
N/A
|
7.3 sec*
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0-100 mph
|
N/A
|
18.8 sec*
|
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Article source
Autozine.net
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