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New Models
AUTOS: Honda’s Next-Gen Accord
One of the top-selling passenger cars in the U.S. gets updated powertrain options and high-tech features for 2013.
The 2013 Honda Accord EX V6 Coupe is the sportiest version, especially with the available six-speed manual. (Photo: Honda)
The 2013 model year marks the arrival of the new ninth-generation Honda Accord, which again comprises coupe and sedan models.
Significant highlights for the redesigned midsize car are a fresh powertrain lineup developed under the company's Earth Dreams banner that includes a new direct-injection four-cylinder, updated V6, revised transmission portfolio and a couple of hybrid offerings.
The 2.4-liter engine is based on a new lightweight engine structure and with direct-injection produces 185 horsepower and 189 pound-feet of torque, an eight-horsepower and 28-pound-feet improvement over the outgoing car's base 2.4-liter engine found on LX and SE trims.
Connected to the four-cylinder is a standard six-speed manual or available continuously variable transmission that replaces the previous five-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Sedan fuel-economy ratings for the manual come in at 24 mpg in the city and 34 mph on the highway, while the CVT helps return a 27-mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
It's worth noting that the four-cylinder and CVT combo, which almost assuredly will be the volume drivetrain, falls short of the non-hybrid fuel-economy title in the midsize sedan category. With the city fuel-economy rating of 27 mpg and highway rating of 38 mpg for its 2.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT, the new Nissan Altima has bragging rights.
Unlike such competitors as Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and the upcoming Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion, Honda sticks with a V6 engine as the upgraded engine option instead of moving to a force-induced four-cylinder. The revised 3.5-liter V6 gains an expanded variable-cylinder-management range for improved fuel economy and sees a small horsepower bump from 271 to 278 horsepower.
Together with a new six-speed automatic gearbox, the sedan receives a 21-mpg city rating and 34-mpg highway rating.
For hybrid fans, Honda is working on two Accord offerings, including a plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid. Both are developed around a 2-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder with a 13:1 compression ratio, a two-motor hybrid system and lithium-ion battery pack.
For the plug-in, the engine and electric motors are good for a combined 198 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Honda says the electric-only range for the plug-in with a fully-charged battery is between 10 and 15 miles. Complete details on the regular hybrid were not yet available.
Another concession to fuel economy is the move to electric power steering in place of hydraulic, while for packaging and weight reasons, the front suspension is converted from a double-wishbone setup to MacPherson struts.
Dimensionally, the new Accord sedan isn't as big as the car it replaces in most measurements, with a wheelbase that's 0.9 inches shorter and overall length down by 3.5 inches. However, cabin space grows slightly by 0.5 cubic-feet and trunk space is up by 0.8 cubic-feet.
Significant highlights for the redesigned midsize car are a fresh powertrain lineup developed under the company's Earth Dreams banner that includes a new direct-injection four-cylinder, updated V6, revised transmission portfolio and a couple of hybrid offerings.
The 2.4-liter engine is based on a new lightweight engine structure and with direct-injection produces 185 horsepower and 189 pound-feet of torque, an eight-horsepower and 28-pound-feet improvement over the outgoing car's base 2.4-liter engine found on LX and SE trims.
Connected to the four-cylinder is a standard six-speed manual or available continuously variable transmission that replaces the previous five-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Sedan fuel-economy ratings for the manual come in at 24 mpg in the city and 34 mph on the highway, while the CVT helps return a 27-mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
It's worth noting that the four-cylinder and CVT combo, which almost assuredly will be the volume drivetrain, falls short of the non-hybrid fuel-economy title in the midsize sedan category. With the city fuel-economy rating of 27 mpg and highway rating of 38 mpg for its 2.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT, the new Nissan Altima has bragging rights.
Unlike such competitors as Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and the upcoming Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion, Honda sticks with a V6 engine as the upgraded engine option instead of moving to a force-induced four-cylinder. The revised 3.5-liter V6 gains an expanded variable-cylinder-management range for improved fuel economy and sees a small horsepower bump from 271 to 278 horsepower.
Together with a new six-speed automatic gearbox, the sedan receives a 21-mpg city rating and 34-mpg highway rating.
For hybrid fans, Honda is working on two Accord offerings, including a plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid. Both are developed around a 2-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder with a 13:1 compression ratio, a two-motor hybrid system and lithium-ion battery pack.
For the plug-in, the engine and electric motors are good for a combined 198 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Honda says the electric-only range for the plug-in with a fully-charged battery is between 10 and 15 miles. Complete details on the regular hybrid were not yet available.
Another concession to fuel economy is the move to electric power steering in place of hydraulic, while for packaging and weight reasons, the front suspension is converted from a double-wishbone setup to MacPherson struts.
Dimensionally, the new Accord sedan isn't as big as the car it replaces in most measurements, with a wheelbase that's 0.9 inches shorter and overall length down by 3.5 inches. However, cabin space grows slightly by 0.5 cubic-feet and trunk space is up by 0.8 cubic-feet.
The Lyonheart K
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