January 27, 2014 marks the date when Honda Cars Philippines Inc. launched the all-new Accord, more than a year after it was released in the global market.
Better, not bigger, is the theme of the all-new Honda Accord. The eighth generation’s external dimensions are already at the border of being consider a full-size sedan. With a 76mm decrease in overall length, yet having an increase in legroom by 25mm and an increase in trunk space by 30 liters, the Honda Accord is the perfect example of Honda’s “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum” principle.
Powering the new Honda Accord are a pair of i-VTEC engines with Earth Dreams Technology. The first being a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder producing 172 hp at 6,200 rpm, and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The other engine choice is a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 277 hp at 6,200 rpm, and 339 Nm of torque at 4,900 rpm. Earth Dreams Technology brings improvements to the engine that make it more fuel efficient. Sadly, even though the 2.4 liter 4-cylinder is actually a brand-new K24 engine from Honda, it is not the one with a higher compression ratio and direct injection, citing our fuels as the culprit for not offering the said engine. Power is delivered via a 5-speed automatic transmission for the 2.4, and a 6-speed automatic transmission for the V6, both equipped with paddle shifters.
New features include dual-projector LED Headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lights, huge 8-inch i-MID screen that works in conjunction with the secondary touch screen below for the audio system, rear seat audio controls, Bluetooth audio streaming and telephone, Emergency Stop Signal, which pulsates the hazard lights if the Accord experiences hard braking in order to warn the drivers behind, Multi-Angle Rear View Camera, Active Cornering Lights, Hill Start Assist, and plenty of airbags (with the addition of side curtain airbags for the 3.5 V6). The V6 on the other hand, gains Front Passenger Seat Auxiliary Switches, which enables the rear passenger to move the seat forward for more legroom, and seat memory. Improvements in refinement has also rendered the Honda Accord to be one of the quietest cabins in its class, helped by another pair of new features called ASC (Active Sound Control) and ANC (Active Noise Control).
Photo from Honda Worldwide
There are also some structural innovations with the all-new Accord. Honda has successfully fused together aluminium and steel together in the subframe, a feat that was deemed almost impossible to do reliably. This results in a chassis that is lighter yet stronger and more rigid. Despite switching to a MacPherson Strut front suspension from the more sophisticated Double Wishbone front suspension, the Accord is more dynamic to drive, helped by the introduction of the aluminium and steel subframe.
Pricing for the Honda Accord are as follows
Honda Accor 2.4S – P1,720,000
Honda Accord 3.5 SV – P2,097,000
Modulo-equipped Honda Accord
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