Honda Accord: First look

Click here for detailed pricing on the Honda Accord range

Sales of medium cars in Australia are up by 22 per cent compared with the same time last year (end of May 2002).

Many are quick to cite the Mazda6 as the car that has single-handedly reinvigorated the genre.

While this is debatable, it is still a solid vehicle, yet one that at present has little in terms of viable competition.

This will all change with the launch of Subaru's new Liberty (click here for article) in September, but there's another challenger who has seemingly slipped under the radar.

Honda's new Accord will really stir things up when it goes on sale on Saturday June 7, particularly when you compare aspects such as standard equipment, performance, build-quality and yes - even price - with the Mazda6.

Before any decisions were made to import the new Accord however, Honda was very tight-lipped as to which model would be coming to Australia.

The two models - Euro and US - have fairly different exterior styling and the American version also gets a powerful V6 option.

A few months ago, when Honda was asked about the impending arrival of the Accord, they couldn't say yay or nay to either model arriving in Australian showrooms, but we can now confirm that the Euro model will initially launch here.

Aptly named the Accord Euro, the seventh generation Honda is quite a stately-looking car, and having seen both the US and Euro models in the flesh, it's fair to say they've moved significantly upmarket.

Built on a concept of advanced, sports-oriented performance, the Accord Euro plays host to numerous Honda technologies such as i-VTEC, drive-by-wire throttle, traction control, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock brakes with EBD and Brake Assist, front, side and curtain airbags, a rigid body and pedestrian safety devices.

The range is broken into two variants at this stage - Accord Euro and Accord Euro Luxury. Both are powered by a 2.4-litre, i-VTEC engine with dual overhead camshafts that produces impressive power.

Consider, for a moment, the Mazda6's 2.3-litre inline four cylinder powerplant: It has just under a tenth of litre less capacity than the new Honda mill and produces 122kW and 207Nm of power and torque respectively. Meanwhile, the new Honda engine has peak power of 140kW at 6800rpm and 223Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.

Honda chief, Lindsay Smalley, said the Accord Euro reflects Honda's characteristic individuality and powerful on-road presence, which suggests it may be marketed as a more 'performance' oriented premium car. "The Accord Euro harnesses a powerful engine, sure-footed handling and an array of safety equipment to set it apart from competitors," he said.

"We see the Accord Euro encapsulating the qualities our company founder Soichiro Honda believed were essential to Honda cars - unique design, spirited performance and technical innovation."

Speaking of spirited performance, much of the engine's power comes from the introduction of i-VTEC, which made its Australian debut in the 2001 Integra Type R.

Simply put, i-VTEC combines VTEC - or Variable Valve Timing and Electronic lift Control - with Variable Timing Control (VTC), controlling phasing of the inlet camshaft. The result is more efficient combustion and exhaust gas recirculation, higher torque and linear engine performance throughout the rev range.

Honda's F1-inspired electronically-controlled drive-by-wire throttle ensures smooth engine response from driver input and the one item that may put the Accord Euro ahead of the Mazda6 is its six-speed manual transmission - the Mazda gets only five ratios.

The new manual gearbox features a lightweight magnesium alloy case and multi-cone synchronisers, offering drivers a light, quick action and very short shift throws.

Working in combination with the new-generation drive-by-wire throttle system, a sequential 5-speed automatic transmission is also on offer for those who two pedals. It comes with an updated version of Honda's shift logic, which is even smarter than the superseded automatic transmissions, resulting in smoother changes.

One of the biggest talking points about the new Accord Euro will undoubtedly be its distinctive new styling, which Honda reckons is: "Designed to reflect the Accord Euro's individuality and dynamic qualities, the exterior also adds to on-road performance with a world-class drag coefficient."

While the rear end is distinctly Honda, with a sharp and almost Integra-like appearance, the twin-exhaust system aludes to the 140kW hiding up front. The front end is almost one part Audi A4, one part Mazda6, but to be frank, the images barely do the car justice.

Beneath the skin, the Accord Euro has a highly dynamic and rigid platform. The body is built with added structural stiffness - including reinforcements in the A and B pillars, boot and C pillar - to ensure passenger safety and provide a strong base for the suspension.

Inherent in the sporty nature of this new-generation Accord is front and rear double wishbone suspension that offers the ultimate blend of ride, handling and comfort on all road surfaces.

Stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes - 300mm at the front and 260mm at the rear - ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Brake Assist automatically increases braking output in emergency conditions by monitoring pedal input. Five-spoke alloy wheels are standard.

The Accord Euro has an impressive arsenal of electronic driver aids, which are often the difference between reaching the elusive prestige market or falling smack bang into mediocrity. Among them is Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control: VSA monitors driver input via sensors in the ABS, drive-by-wire, steering and Traction Control and adjusts engine and braking output accordingly.

Other safety features include driver and passenger SRS airbags, side SRS airbags on both models and curtain airbags on the Accord Euro Luxury. Three-point seatbelts are fitted to all five seating positions, while the front seatbelts gain pretensioners and height adjusters.

The Accord Euro is also equipped with Honda's industry-leading pedestrian safety technologies, such as a specially-designed bonnet frame, hinges, front wing mounting bracket, front bumper and energy-absorbing wiper pivots.

The Accord Euro's interior is geared towards spirited driving, with the front seats given good lateral bolstering. The leather steering wheel is fitted with tilt and telescopic (reach) adjustment and the dash display features large, backlit LED dials.

The Accord Euro's creature comforts include dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, 6-stack, six-speaker in-dash CD tuner with steering wheel controls, variable intermittent front wipers and keyless entry with security alarm and immobiliser.

The Accord Euro Luxury is additionally equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, two-way electric sunroof, 8-way power adjustable front driver's seat, 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, leather trim, woodgrain panel trim, rain-sensor wipers, headlight washers and front fog lamps.

Honda Australia has set pricing at $34,250 for the Accord Euro manual, which equates to a saving of roughly $6000 over the superceded entry-level Accord. The auto mode fetches $36,250 while the Accord Euro Luxury manual is $40,800 and the Luxury automatic is $42,800.

Meanwhile, there are signs suggesting that Honda Australia is seriously considering the importation of the US Accord, in order to compete in the six-cylinder mid-sized market.

The appearance of the US Accord is a little more angular, though we may be able to forgive this in lieu of its supremely powerful V6, worth a gobsmacking 179kW - pretty good for a 3.0-litre engine, coming close to even the BA Falcon's 182kW 4.0-litre mill.

With the revival of the medium car market, you can expect more and more models to arrive in due course, but as it stands, the new Accord Euro is a very likable car, suggesting a return to the 'performance' origins for the marque.

The Accord Euro range goes on sale around Australia from Saturday June 7, 2003.

• Click here for more detailed pricing on the Honda Accord range