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Old 02-18-2007, 02:00 PM
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Arrow In Accord with Honda standards


In Accord with Honda standards

An image-enhancing face-lift. - Pictures by S. Muralidhar

It is one thing to give a car a facelift, but it is a whole lot more difficult to make it look better than its predecessor and to get buyers to pay more for the replacement model.

Being a focused premium sedan, the Honda Accord's going has been easy. With great brand image and reliability built into its bodywork, this premium sedan managed to outsell the competition in the segment, despite its relatively higher pricing.

The seventh generation Honda Accord is probably in the middle of a full-blown model makeover and before the eighth is rolled out globally during the next couple of years, a facelift to the current model is a simple way of ensuring that the Accord's appeal is maintained.

Of course, a facelift is a regular model-year change that cars are put through in big auto markets such as the US. So, the new 2007 Accord has been in the major markets abroad for a few months now. Last month, the car was launched in India too.

Front view

Buyers of the outgoing version of the Accord appreciated the car's unique looks at the front. It stood out among the other cars in this segment and had the typical Honda flair in its design. However, the Accord's front was the only profile that continued to be unique to the car. So, when planning the change to the model's design, Honda obviously didn't tinker too much with the front. When compared to the previous version, there are a few very evident changes and some that are not so visible.

Much of the change has been to the rear of the car. A few changes to the interior and some additional features have been thrown in.

From the front, the new Accord looks almost identical to the model that it has replaced. The same trademark, inverted V-shaped headlamps adorn the front of the car. There is a minor change to the reflectors and layout of the headlamp, but that is hardly discernable.

In the middle, just below the vast bonnet slab, the new Accord features a fresh, new grille that is finished in chrome, featuring the Honda trademark single slat with the prominent H-logo sitting at the centre. The front bumper now has a large air-dam, clear lens, trapezoid fog lamps on either side and two ultrasonic parking assistance sensors.

The other changes to the Accord's front profile include a newly designed set of windscreen wiper blades. These are recessed and curved to offer lower wind resistance and cover a wider area of the windscreen. Both the engine variants, the 2.4-litre i-VTEC and the 3-litre V6 now get turn indicator lights on the outside rear-view mirrors. Body coloured side rub strips and door handles with chrome details are also standard fitment. Special 16-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels are offered with the higher priced V6 version.

New-look rear

The rear of the new Accord has seen the most changes. All the body panels are new and the most prominent change is of course the replacement of the earlier horizontal format tail lamps with a new, more compact, triangular wraparound style tail lamp design. The new tail lamps feature an array of LED bulbs that light up faster during braking and are also more visible.

The boot lid features design ridges that culminate in an integrated third stop lamp. The oversized rear bumper seems a little odd at first, but you quickly get used to it and eventually it seems to actually give the car's design more balance. The bumper features four parking assistance sensors, and with the deep cutting boot lid, access to the trunk loading area is also improved. Dual exhaust tail pipes are a special addition in the V6 variant.

Plush interiors

The interiors of the new Accord continue to exude the same precisely engineered luxurious feel of the predecessor. The dashboard layout and design has also been almost completely carried forward from the older version.

Step into the new Accord and you are greeted by the swathe of creamy beige leather. Leather seats, door inserts and black leather trim for the steering wheel combine to boost the Accord's up market feel. The dashboard features a two-tone theme with dark grey matt plastic on the top and creamy beige for the panels in the lower half. Right at the middle of the centre console is a new six-CD changer and integrated music system with six speakers.

Rotary control dials of the dual zone automatic air-conditioner lend the centre console more symmetry. In addition to the black stitched leather, the steering wheel, as does the centre console, feature polished wood trim. Remote audio system controls have been offered on the left primary spoke of the four-spoke steering wheel. Cruise control is offered in the automatic transmission variant.

Wood trim inserts have also been given on the door handles and floor console. The driver's seat features eight-way electrically adjustable controls. The seats are wide; offer good thigh and lumbar support and feature firm but comfortable cushioning.

Useful features

CD storage, cup holders and other storage options abound in the new Accord. Some of the thoughtful features of the new Accord include the new programming for the power windows that allows operating the switches even after the ignition has been cut-off and the key has been removed. So, if you have forgotten to close any of the windows properly, that can be done without sticking the key back into the stalk. For added safety this function will not work once the driver's door has been opened.

The other thoughtful, intelligent feature is the unique progressive self-illuminating LED optotronic instrument cluster. Clear white and red dials are easy to read and pleasing to the eye. The LED lit cluster is bright during the day and as you turn on the headlamps it softens to eliminate any harshness to the driver's eye. Also, when the door is opened using the multi-function keyless entry, the instrument lights up to 10 per cent brightness and after the key is slipped into the ignition slot, the LED brightens up to the preset 100 per cent levels.

Engine dynamics

The two engines that Honda has chosen for the Accord are good matches for a car in this category. These powertrains that have been offered in the Accord include the 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine featuring Honda's intelligent variable valve timing and lift electronic control technology for better power and torque delivery at lower engine-rpm levels. This engine generates a peak power of 142PS at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 20KgM at 4,700 rpm.

The other engine on offer is the coveted 3-litre V6 VTEC, which develops a peak power output of 221PS at 6,300 rpm and a peak torque of 28.1KgM at 5,000 rpm. The 2.4-litre engine is offered with either the manual or automatic transmission options. The V6 comes only with an automatic.

The five-speed manual has been optimised for smoother operation, with lighter shift feel and shorter throws, aided by multi-cone synchronisers from the first to fourth gear slots. The new five-speed automatic gearbox replaces the earlier four-speed version and features grade-logic control for minimum shift shocks and improved performance.

Quiet cabin

A number of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) reduction measures, including new insulators and special rubber floating mounts for the sub-frames and the engine, make the new Accord's cabin extremely quite. Combined with these features, the Accord's double-wishbone suspension for the front and the five-link double-wishbone type at the rear improve ride and handling. The rear suspension, an evolution of the previous Accord's, also ensures consistent road contact and almost completely eliminates roll-steer.

For safety, the Accord is offered with dual-stage, smart airbags for the driver and the front passenger. These airbags open out in two stages depending on the severity of the collision. Other safety features include seat belt pretensioners and load limiters and ABS (anti-lock brakes) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution). The V6 version of the new Accord also features vehicle stability assist with brake assist and traction control.

The new Accord 2.4-litre VTi-L costs between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 15.8 lakh for the manual and the automatic versions. The V6 A/T variant carries a price tag of Rs 17.5 lakh (all ex-showroom, Chennai). Prices are higher by about two per cent over the corresponding previous Accord models.

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Source: [url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2007/02/18/stories/2007021802501700.htm]Hindu Business Line[/url]
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