Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #320

Dan Roth — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Podcasts, GM, Honda, Land Rover, Volvo, Holden, Australia, Celebrities, TV/Movies

Chicago Auto Show, Holden VF Commodore, Top Gear USA Interview, Driving To The Arctic Circle

Episode #319 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Chris Paukert and Jeff Ross talk about the Chicago Auto Show, the new Holden VF Commodore and Paukert's trip to the Arctic Circle with The List. Dan and Zach took time to have a chat with Adam Ferrara and Rutledge Wood from Top Gear, as well, and that's included in this week's action-packed podcast. We wrap with a couple of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #320:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6MT
2013 Range Rover Sport
2013 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design

Hosts: Dan Roth, C hris Paukert, Jeff Ross

Runtime: 01:41:11

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Autoblog Podcast #320 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6MT

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Honda, Quick Spins

One of the first cars I reviewed for Autoblog was - say it with me now - a 2010 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 w/Navi 6MT, perhaps the rarest of all modern Accord models. I mean, think about it: Of all the different Accord variants on the road, how many are coupes? And how many of those have the larger V6 engine? And how many of those are fully loaded with leather, navigation and all the trimmings? And finally, how many of those have option sheets where the only box that isn't checked is the automatic transmission?

That has to be something like one percent of one percent, right?

So when Honda started rolling its all-new 2013 Accord into the test fleet, I was happy to hear that yet another Coupe EX-L V6 w/Navi 6MT model was available out of the Detroit pool. And while this really isn't the car that serves as the control for judging the entire Accord line, it's still one heck of a sweetheart.

It's the Journalist Special all over again.

Driving Notes

This thing is quick. Honda's revised Earth Dreams 3.5-liter V6 produces 278 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque in this application, and that's plenty in a car that weighs in at just 3,400 pounds. Honda does not release performance data, but instrumented buff-book testing has revealed 0-60 times as low as 5.6 seconds. For reference, that's three-tenths of a second quicker than the bonkers Ford Focus ST.
Straight-line acceleration isn't the only bit of behind-the-wheel joy here. The steering is nicely weighted with plenty of feedback, the chassis is well-tuned to handle the V6 grunt (though you can get the front wheels to spin on hard launches), and the whole package feels tossable and nimble. As Executive Editor Chris Paukert said to me, it's sort of like a lux'd-out latter-day Honda Prelude. Or to my mind, a more civilized, grown-up version of the current Civic Si.
Accord V6 sedans aren't available with the six-speed manual transmission found here in the coupe, and for those who do opt for it, they're in for a treat. Quick shifts are easy to knock off thanks to pleasantly short throws and well-placed pedals with a nicely weighted clutch.
I've really warmed to the Accord's new styling... mostly. The front fascia with its LED running lamps is an attractive, aggressive sight, and I like the profile stance with the handsome 18-inch alloy wheels of this test car, but I'm not too keen on those small faux air vents with reflector strips that are housed above the dual exhaust pipes. The chrome trim on the bottom of the rear bumper could certainly go away, too.
There's a lot to like inside the Accord, too. Everything in the cabin feels solid and well-built, and the overall design is fresh and modern. I don't quite get the whole dual-screen center console design, and I'm still not a big fan of Honda's new Lane Watch blind spot monitoring system. Yeah, it's cool, but it'd be even cooler if it showed the driver's side trouble spots. Even with the camera in place, I still find myself using the mirrors.
But here's the tough part: this whole package, as tested, is $33,140. It's a fantastic car, this Accord Coupe, and for the enthusiast who wants a sort of sporty, larger, surprisingly luxurious coupe, you could certainly do worse. That said, we imagine this build combination will account for maybe one percent of all Accord sales, and at the end of the day, it's a $33k Honda coupe. Fun and stylish, for sure, but a car that is seemingly destined to be more commonly spotted with manufacturer plates than hard tags.

2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6MT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Honda Accord Coupe HFP hitting dealerships next spring

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:19:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Honda

The totally new 2013 Honda Accord has just now started trickling into dealerships across the country, but here at SEMA, we're already getting our first look at what the future has in store for Honda's midsize offering. Arriving in Honda showrooms next spring is this limited-edition HFP performance edition of the 2013 Accord Coupe, and although no power upgrades are on tap, there's some extra kit that will indeed make things more interesting out on the road.

Honda's HFP upgrades start with visual add-ons like 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear decklid spoiler, and further changes are found underneath that sheetmetal with the addition of a unique sport suspension that lowers the car by 15 millimeters and enhances overall handling. Of course, no sporty Accord would be complete without the necessary body enhancements to the front fascia, side sills and rear bumper, and don't worry, there will be plenty of HFP badges on both the exterior and interior.

Speaking of interior, the Accord HFP will have red illumination found throughout the cabin as well as - wait for it - specially branded floor mats.

A Honda spokesperson confirmed to Autoblog that the HFP package will be available with both the four- and six-cylinder engine. We've already had a chance to drive a two-door Accord with the V6 engine, and it's seriously good. The HFP add-ons should make this a truly sweet package.

Only 500 of the Accord Coupe HFP models will be produced, and the whole package will be offered as a $4,650 option package, not including the cost of installation. Scroll down for the full details in Honda's press release.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord Coupe HFP hitting dealerships next spring

2013 Honda Accord Coupe HFP hitting dealerships next spring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Honda Accord priced from $21,680*, rated at 27/36 MPG

George Kennedy — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Honda

For those in the market for a new family sedan (or coupe), Honda has announced pricing and detailed fuel economy numbers for the 2013 Accord range. Base MSRP for the 2013 Honda Accord LX sedan is set at $21,680, while the Coupe carries a base MSRP of $23,350 (*)not including $790 for destination. This represents a price increase of less than $300 for the sedan and $200 for the coupe versus the outgoing model.

Accord LX sedan models with Honda's new continuously variable transmission start at $22,480, the upmarket EX will set you back $24,605, and the Accord EX-L with navigation rings in at $29,995. These models are all equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-four making 185 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Six-speed manual-equipped models achieve 24 miles per gallon city and 34 mpg highway while vehicles with the CVT put up 27/36 mpg city/highway.

Opting for a Sport model will get you a 189-horsepower version of that same inline-four, and doing so will set you back $23,390 for a six-speed manual model, which returns the same fuel economy numbers as the non-Sport 6MT models. A Sport model with a CVT achieves 26 city and 35 highway mpg with a base MSRP of $24,190.

Anyone seeking the 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 will have to shell out $30,070 for an EX-L V6 sedan, while a the range-topping Accord Touring V6 starts at $33,430. These models are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and deliver 21/34 mpg city/highway.

The Accord Coupe EX-L V6 starts at $30,350, and can be had with a six-speed manual, which drops fuel economy to 18/28 mpg city/highway (six-speed automatic models achieve 21/32 mpg). No pricing or fuel economy numbers have been announced for the Accord Plug-In Hybrid.

The sedan will hit dealers on Wednesday, September 19, while the Coupe will arrive Monday, October 15. Click below to check out the press release for complete pricing and fuel economy information.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord priced from $21,680*, rated at 27/36 MPG

2013 Honda Accord priced from $21,680*, rated at 27/36 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda releases first 2013 Accord Coupe pictures

Chris Paukert — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Honda, Design/Style

Honda released a pair of images of its new-for-2013 Accord sedan early this morning, and it's followed them up with a pair of matching Coupe photos (we've added some cropped/zoomed images so you can see some of the details better).

The two-door bodystyle looks quite similar to the rakish outgoing model, with comparable greenhouse and prominent profile creases, but styling has been cleaned up as well, with better integrated hood shutlines and a dumping of the love/hate "upside-down" door handles that marked out the previous Accord. Unlike the new-for-2013 sedan, the Coupe also has unique squared-off lower fascias with recessed lighting - particularly noticeable in the rear.

Up front, a mesh grille with a thinner U-shaped surround insert takes the place of the sedan's more conservative slatted affair, and the headlamp fixtures are unique with larger amber turn signals. The lower air inlet looks similar in style to the sedan, but the surrounding fascia is different, incorporating round fog lamps in blacked-out faux mesh recesses.

The rear end also receives unique taillamps, and they appear smaller than their family-minded counterpart. Also unlike the sedan, they don't extend into the trunklid, which appears to have a markedly narrower opening to go with its built-in lip spoiler and CHMSL. The Accord Coupe's most prominent feature in the rear is arguably its square-jawed bumper cap, which has vertical rectangle reflectors and a horizontal sliver of brightwork that the sedan lacks. As with the saloon, twin exhaust outlets are shown on this V6 model, but they have unique oval-shaped finishers, where the sedan has more traditional round pieces.

What do you think of the new Accord Coupe at first glance? Weigh in with your thoughts in Comments.

Continue reading Honda releases first 2013 Accord Coupe pictures

Honda releases first 2013 Accord Coupe pictures originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked order sheet reveals Sport trim, CVT for 2013 Accord

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Honda

Honda is massaging the 2013 Accord line with more modern gearboxes and trims to match its more modern design (the non-conceptual version of which still has yet to be seen). In addition to the six-speed manual replacing the five-cogger currently offered on four-cylinder models, the folks at the Temple of VTEC forum have found an order sheet indicating a CVT will be available on mid-range LX, EX and EX-L models. For the enthusiasts hoping for the manual to return to the V6 sedan, no dice - the 6AT is what you'll get.

The sheet also omits the sedan's current SE trim slotted between the LX and EX, and in its stead is a Sport trim. It can be had with either the manual or the CVT, but it's not listed with the "navi" option. The coupe's trims remain the same. When we can put these specs together with the actual 2013 car, then we'll start to guess how it will far against its archfoe, the Toyotal Camry.

Leaked order sheet reveals Sport trim, CVT for 2013 Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Honda

In true Honda fashion, we're once again presented with a "concept" car that's only a set of wheels and a de-Bedazzling away from being production-ready. What you're looking at here is the concept that previews the next-generation Accord that will be dropping later this year, ready to compete with a full slate of redesigned mid-size sedans.

Honda has once again taken a conservative approach to design, and while it's certainly handsome (except for those gaudy air intakes that flank both sides of the front fascia), we can't help but think that it already looks one or two generations old. (2009 Kia Optima, anyone?) We'll have to wait until we see the car in its production spec before making final judgments, but with sexy new mid-size offerings like the 2013 Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, the Accord doesn't look to be gunning for shoppers who want a whole lot of style with their substance.

Substance, though, it definitely has. The base engine is a new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with direct injection, putting 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque to the ground via a continuously variable transmission. Honda will continue to offer a V6 in the Accord - a dying trend in this segment - measuring 3.5 liters, mated to either a manual or automatic transmission, both with six gears.

The Accord Hybrid will use an all-new two-motor plug-in hybrid system with three drive modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and "direct-drive."

What's really interesting, though, is that the 2013 model marks the return of the Accord Hybrid - a vehicle that died after the 2007 model year. This time, however, the Accord will use an all-new two-motor plug-in hybrid system with three drive modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and "direct-drive" - with a 6-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 120-kilowatt electric motor mated to a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline four-cylinder engine. Honda says that the Accord Plug-In will have a pure electric range of 10-15 miles with a top speed of 62 miles per hour, and that recharging the battery will take less than four hours with a 120-volt charger, or less than 1.5 hours with a 240-volt setup. Not bad, Honda.

Naturally, Honda will pack the 2013 Accord with all of its latest safety technologies, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind-spot detection and a multi-angle rear-view camera. We expect to see the production car debut in the not-too-distant future (New York Auto Show, perhaps?) with the 2013 model officially hitting dealerships this fall. The Accord Plug-In will arrive a little later, in winter. Hungry for more details? Click past the jump to read Honda's official press blast.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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