Geneva 2009: Honda Accord Tourer Type-S
by Sam Abuelsamid on Mar 4th 2009 at 8:32AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery the Honda Accord Tourer Type-S
The vehicle above represents some of our favorite features in a main-stream car, but we're fully aware that we're in the minority when it comes to drivers in the U.S. market. This is the new European market Honda Accord Tourer Type-S, the same vehicle sold in sedan form in the States as the Acura TSX. The wagon retains the overall size and dynamic characteristics of the four-door while adding a huge dollop of utility when needed, and it's particularly handsome in person. Rumor has it we'll see this body style appear as a new Honda CUV in the U.S. this fall with the high riding Outback treatment.
The wagon is not new to Europe, but the Type-S (also available as a sedan) is. The Type-S Accord gets a 178 hp version of Honda's new iDTEC 2.2L diesel four cylinder with a stiff 280 lb-ft of torque, along with larger 18" wheels and bumper and sill extensions for a more aggressive look.
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
180 PS i-DTEC Engine for Accord Sedan and Tourer
Alongside the Insight and ASIMO will be the introduction of the new 180PS derivative of the acclaimed Honda i-DTEC diesel engine. This new higher-power variant produces 180 PS at 4000 rpm, a 30 PS increase over the standard i-DTEC engine with the peak power coming at the same rpm. Torque has also increased 30 Nm to 380 Nm at 2000 rpm.
The enhanced engine will be fitted to the Accord in a new Type-S variant. As well as the significant increase in power this new model will gain new lower bumper sections, front chin spoiler, sill extensions, smoke chrome finished grille. The new model will be available in two new paint colours with White Pearl and Basque Red joining the current colour line up.
Complimenting this suite of cosmetic changes will be clear indicator covers to further distinguish the new Type-S model. In addition, this model will be equipped with a new design of 18" alloy wheels, giving the Type-S a more sporting stance.
The new engine retains its 2.2 litre capacity and gains its additional power with a revised turbo-charger housing, enlarged intercooler, stronger con-rods and a revised cylinder head. These modifications release the full potential of the critically acclaimed i-DTEC engine, allowing it to deliver excellent usable performance and good fuel economy.
Performance, fuel economy and emissions data will be available once homologation is completed. The Type-S goes on sale in some European markets from this summer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jkendall 8:48AM (3/04/2009)
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Please!!!
Speaking an an '08 Accord owner, if Honda will only bring something like this to the USA with their SH-AWD system it would be great.
I've always thought Honda dropped the ball when they canceled the wagon version of the Accord many years ago (several others - Mitsubishi, Toyota, etc. - also dropped wagons about the same time). I know that most people don't like station wagons, but also owning a Subaru Outback, I've come to love the utility they provide. I've even brought home 16' 2x8s from the local home improvement center with mine.
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Kumar 9:06AM (3/04/2009)
I doubt many car makers are eager to bring over wagons these days. Most are probably still hanging on to that dream of fleecing us with expensive SUVs, thinking a wagon would cannibalize sales. It's like Audi not bringing the A4 allroad because they want us to buy a more expensive SUV instead of a luxo-wagon.
It would be nice though. I ended up with an Outback as well. Totally fits the bill for all the random work stuff I end up carting around that wouldn't fit in a trunk too well.
Yikes 9:11AM (3/04/2009)
Gimmme one too.
I'll take my Accord(TSX) wagon in that same red, with the 180ps Diesel motor please!
Den in IN 9:35AM (3/04/2009)
Not sure what you mean by fleecing off SUVs on us innocent buyers? There have been wagons available in the states and they don't typically sell well. Even Subi had a Legacy sport wagon and gave up on it and instead chose to fleece us with pseudo-SUV waggony things. Ford, Dodge, Honda etc have offered wagons and have given up on them. Only the Germans can seem to sell enough to make it worthwhile. Maybe its the buyers making the choice rather than the manufacturers. Go figure, the managers chose to make what they could sell at a profit. Always a sign of piss-poor management in my book.
BoneHeadOtto 9:47AM (3/04/2009)
Oh how i wish they sold this here in the states!
Wagons sell poorly here in the states because people are not educated about them. In all the years i have lived in the states i have never seen an add for a wagon (except for the dodge which everyone likes but hates the dodge quality).
Wagons left the scene here in the US when toyota offered that freakin awful Camry wagon, and SUVs/CUVs came on the scene. Now wagons are back, just called thinks like Venza. Other wagons in the past have not sold well due to questionable design or luxury price. If someone made a Civic wagon (not a shrunken one like the fit) or a good looking wagon that was not priced in merceded range, we would see a lot more here in the states.
If some would advertise the benefits of the wagon (performance, handling, mileage, and space) then i think they would sell well.
Frylock350 11:22AM (3/04/2009)
The problem is that little wagons like this offer no utility advantages over a CUV which is why people will opt for the CUV. The difference in fuel economy is insignificant for the average person that drives 10k miles a year. Also for those who will tow something an Explorer or TrailBlazer, a wagon like this isn't even an option. Now a full-size RWD body-on-frame wagon is a real alternative. A 1996 Roadmaster Wagon (like mine) has more cubic feet of cargo room than a midsize CUV/SUV, a much longer load area than any Full-size SUV save Suburban, and a 7000lb towing capacity. That's a true SUV alternative. This is simply a sedan with more cargo space, and its nearly as useless for utility applications.
ken_aisin 12:33PM (3/04/2009)
It's unfortunate that Honda decides to build a different Accord for the North American market. Hey Honda execs, if you import this to North America as a Honda Accord wagon, I would buy one in a heartbeat for daily use. But please leave it as is because I don't want it to come with that hideous TSX grill.
Mark K. 6:46PM (3/04/2009)
Frylock 350
"A 1996 Roadmaster Wagon (like mine) has more cubic feet of cargo room than a midsize CUV/SUV, a much longer load area than any Full-size SUV save Suburban, and a 7000lb towing capacity. That's a true SUV alternative. This is simply a sedan with more cargo space, and its nearly as useless for utility applications."
Uh uh. Show me ONE thing a hypothetical BMW 335d wagon cannot tow that your Roadmaster can? Or your Silverado, for that matter. Hypothetical because you can't buy it here in US. Because these little wagons have 0 utility.
Frylock350 10:29AM (3/05/2009)
@Mark K
"Uh uh. Show me ONE thing a hypothetical BMW 335d wagon cannot tow that your Roadmaster can? Or your Silverado, for that matter. Hypothetical because you can't buy it here in US. Because these little wagons have 0 utility."
Can't tell if your comment is serious or not, but I'll address it like you actually believe a 335d can tow anything. Here's something it can't tow that my Roadmaster can: my boat. The 335d's tow rating is 1800lbs at best. My boat weighs over 1000lbs more than that on trailer. My Roadmaster has been used to pull a car on a dolly, a 335d won't do that. A 335d is certainly more useful than a 335 sedan, but its certainly nothing that could entice a CUV owner who uses the utility.
If you were being funny and also making fun of the 335d as a tow vehicle, then no offense and apparently I suck at inferring things from text.
Mark K. 6:18PM (3/05/2009)
Frylock 350
"If you were being funny and also making fun of the 335d as a tow vehicle, then no offense and apparently I suck at inferring things from text."
Actually, I wasn't. If you ever visit Europe in July/August, you will see a lot of wagons towing ... an RV/roulotte/trailer (call it whatever you want). Especially with German license plates.
Now, considering that 335d turns out more torque than biggest optional 5.7 liter V8 Ford offered in 2008 for F-150, I think that 1800 pounds towing limit is either:
a) pure fantasy
b) pure US legislative idiocy
Because, fully optioned RV/roulotte/trailer (call it whatever you want) is for sure weighing way more than 1800 pounds and they tow it through European uphill/downhill twisties without a problem. For more than 600 miles in most cases.
Luis 8:56AM (3/04/2009)
Diesel, manual, wagon, Honda...add AWD and it's a winner times five.
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Collin 9:03AM (3/04/2009)
I'd be all over this if honda ever brought it to the states.
Sam Salemi 9:02AM (3/04/2009)
Ok, in North America the average family has 2 children, this would be the ideal family car that would provide optimal fuel economy and cargo capacity. The fact that Americans will still flock to gas thirsty Mini-vans and SUV's makes no sense to me.
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Kumar 9:09AM (3/04/2009)
I got a little chuckle when you mentioned people flocking to minivans. For the past 10 years, people have run from them to SUVs. ;)
Yeah, wagons are ideal cars, but most people that I know chose an SUV for the perceived safety benefits over practicality.
Luis 9:18AM (3/04/2009)
Safety - perceived. The only serious crash I saw two weeks ago in a snowstorm was a flipped over "safe" SUV in NH. The other two crashes? Minor spin-outs of FWD or RWD cars...
Sam Salemi 9:26AM (3/04/2009)
Ok, they may not be flocking to mini-vans like they once used to, but sales of those are still pretty high when considering most don't need or ever use the 7 passenger capacity. And for those who snub there nose at mini-vans and choose a 7 passenger SUV, what's the difference? sliding doors? They're both an exaggeration for what 90% of families need, and then to hear them complain of gas consumption? please. And yes yes I know, gas is cheaper now, but the economy will eventually turn around, and the price of oil/fuel is going to go back up. This package Honda is offering, in my mind, is the perfect family vehicle...and for most americans not to like it is confusing and hard to understand.
BoneHeadOtto 9:48AM (3/04/2009)
Mini vans are not gas hungry and are far safer and more practical than SUVs. True most familys only have 2 kids, but unless they are locked inside all day, they have friends and those friends need the 3rd row.
Sam Salemi 10:27AM (3/04/2009)
Mini vans are not gas hungry? 2009 Mini-van - 13.1 litres/100km. Honda i-DTEC - 6.4 litres/100km. So you could move 10 people and more cargo in 2 Accord wagons and use the same fuel as one mini-van with 7 people and a fraction of the cargo space. And from personal experience (I've owned both mini-van and diesel), the diesel met or exceeded fuel consumption ratings consistently, the mini-van seemed to consistently average worse than the EPA ratings.
Sam Salemi 10:33AM (3/04/2009)
...and as far as taking your kids friends in the mini-van...I used to do that with my mini-van about 3 maybe 4 times a month and my fuel bill was hovering around $400 per month. I ditched the mini-van, now spend around $200 a month and tell my kids friends to meet me at the park. What do I look like...a school bus? (well I did when I had the mini-van). For $2400 per year savings my kids can handle a 20 minute drive and talk to their dad.
Frylock350 12:06PM (3/04/2009)
@Sam
Ah Sam, if you dont like the 2 kids in a van/SUV you are going to hate me :). I drive a Chevy Suburban and I'm single and I gladly pay the fuel bill for the honor driving such a fantastic vehicle.
Why a Suburban? I need to tow. I tow all sorts of outdoor toys all over the midwest. But even if I didn't have to tow I'd still own one. Believe it or not "gas thirsty"-ness isn't the primary concern of every single car buyer. In fact its fairly low on my list of importance. I believe in buying the most efficient within the type of vehicle I want, but I'm not going to let efficiency decide what I drive. I'll take Suburban's glassy smooth ride over fuel economy 24/7.
@Luis,
Not knowing how to drive an SUV doesn't make them less safe. Fact is in a collision with all safety equipment being equivalent, weight wins.