First look - 2003 Honda Accord

Arguably one of the best engine-builders in the world, Honda is on the verge of releasing an all-new Accord that looks to pack quite a punch.

A pioneer in both motorcycle and car engines, Honda's S2000, for instance, has one of the highest power-per-litre ratios of any car created - 174kW from just a scant capacity of just 2.0-litres is quite impressive.

That said, Honda does use a few tricks to achieve this feat, but still - 174kW isn't to be laughed at.

Even Honda's Civic and Integra Type R models boast impressive amounts of power, yet no Honda engine has ever made use of forced induction. It makes you wonder how powerful they could be with the help of an intercooled supercharger, for instance?

Honda has just finished work on its all-new 2003/2004 model-year Accord, which, among other things, has had it's ageing engine re-tuned to deliver a hefty power increase.

Honda wanted to do a number of things with the '03 Accord, one of them was to bring it in line with the best in German engineering. It's got new styling, new equipment and a new strategy. More specifically though, Honda wants to compete with the BMW 3-series.

A bold call to be sure, but one Honda plans on achieving.

As such, the first thing on the cards was getting rid of the somewhat floaty handling of the 1998 model, which will be on sale until this revised model arrives in late 2003, early 2004.

Honda will be releasing an updated Accord in later 2002, but the new-look model isn't set to arrive for at least a year (circa Aug, 2002).

Independent double wishbones for all four corners, together with increased structural torsional rigidity (up by some 27 per cent) means that the new Accord will stick to the road better than its precursor.

The suspension settings, such as damping and spring rates, have also been tweaked to improve ride and handling and also help reduce bodyroll, so expect one lean and mean Accord in '03/04.

Speaking of mean, Honda decided that it was time to play with the big boys and has tuned the 2003 model's 3.0-litre V6 accordingly.

Straight off the mark, the six-cylinder mill gets a new free-flow exhaust system. Add to this highly modified intake and exhaust valves (four per cylinder), a new fuel system, updated iVTEC and a fancy new air intake and you're left with a rather hefty 20 per cent increase in power.

The 3.0-litre powerplant will now deliver a range-topping 179kW @ 6250rpm, and thanks to Honda's updated variable-valve timing system, iVTEC, the engine now has better low-end torque and improved fuel efficiency.

The increased power will propel the 2003 Accord to 100km/h from rest in just 6.7 seconds in the five-speed manual, while the updated transmission of the auto model completes the dash in 7.5 seconds.

Interestingly, buyers in Japan and America will be able to opt for a six-speed close ration manual transmission available only in the two-door coupe Accord. Yes indeed, the coupe model (pictured bottom) has slightly different brake lights and a more aggressive stance.

This is most interesting news and, furthermore, begs the question - will the coupe arrive locally when the five-door sedan launches? It's doubtful, but grey imports are likely to filter through in a few years time.

Unlike the six-cylinder mill, the smaller four comes with dual overhead camshafts, as opposed to the SOHC found in its bigger brother. When the car launches in the US in September of 2002, the new 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine will meet California's super-strict SULEV rating, becoming a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle.

California's SULEV standard is one of the toughest in the world, which speaks volumes for the 2.4-litre engine. The smaller all-aluminium iVTEC mill churns out a healthy 120kW, and will be available on entry-level models.

As far as its appearance goes, while the five-door sedan model doesn't quite have the presence of the coupe, it is still a rather intriguing car. The re-shaped headlights still retain a little of the old Accord, but are closer to the S2000's more angular, modern shape.

The rear-end is slightly higher than the current models behind, and a new brake-light cluster has been used as well. While the new-look isn't wham-bang in your face, it does convey the new car's performance-based underpinnings. The tail-lights of the coupe version, however, are very different, with an almost Mercedes SL look. Does Honda have a master plan to de-throne the Europeans?

Obviously we've got quite a wait yet for the new-look Honda Accord to arrive Down Under, and when it does, we'll examine in more detail the new-look interior, standard luxury features and any other fancy gadgets Honda decides on incorporating into the 2003/2004 car.

As it stands however, Honda may well take the fight to its luxury European rivals with its fancy new Accord. If the mid-size luxury car lives up to expectations, it could throw a big spanner in the Bavarian Motor Works.