Autoblog

Click above for a gallery of high-res shots of the Euro-spec Honda Accord.

Our European brethren have enjoyed the Accord in a variety of forms over the years, and the soon-to-be-unveiled Acura TSX gave us a few hints as to what the Euro-spec Accord would look like prior to its unveiling. The profile is similar to the outgoing model, but the smoothed swage lines and slightly blistered fenders give it a more staid appearance. The front fascia does an admirable job of striking a balance between the outgoing model's angularity and the U.S. Accord's aggressive (ungainly even?) snout. Thankfully, the front end is devoid of the Acura-specific shield that's infecting the rest of the luxury marque's lineup.

Three engine choices are available abroad, including a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four producing 154 hp, a 2.4-liter four dolling out 200 hp and a i-DTEC diesel that meets Euro 5 emission standards while outputting 148 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Naturally, both a sedan saloon and wagon estate will be available when the Accord goes on sale in Europe later this year.

All the details are available in Honda's press release after the jump.

Click image for a gallery of the new Euro Accord

With the all-new European Honda Accord set to debut next month in Geneva, word is that buyers will be disappointed to hear there are apparently no plans to launch a high-performance Type-R version of the new chassis. Honda does not feel the all-new model fits the Type-R brand, adding that the new European Accord is designed to propel the company into competing with the likes of BMW and Audi. Honda does have plans to release Accords with modified suspension and body kits, but with standard engines, much like Audi does with its S-line models.

The United States will see the all-new Euro Accord re-badged as the 2009 Acura TSX, first arriving at the New York Auto Show next month.

[Source: Autocar]

Click image to enlarge

While we're all awaiting the Euro-market Honda Accord's debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, Honda appears to have already begun shipping examples of its new machine. At least that's the impression we get thanks to readers Zane and Bojan P., who sent the accompanying shots of the new Accord on a Japanese transporter. While the taillamps are mostly obscured on the white car, the dark one in front of it leaves nothing to the imagination, and overall, you get a pretty good sense of what to expect when we see this car unveiled as the new Acura TSX (probably in New York). In any case, we don't have much longer to wait. Thanks to Bojan and Zane for the tips!

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2008 Honda Accord (Euro)

Gallery: European Honda Accord - teaser images

It's handy to work next door to Honda's US Headquarters if your goal is to snag pictures of future models. A user from the Temple of VTEC forums named Tyson grabbed a couple shots of what's believed to be the 2009 Acura TSX. He'd been seeing the silver sedan for a few days, and was finally able to think quickly and grab the camera phone. What we know as the Acura TSX is the rest of the world's Honda Accord. Being their bread and butter sedan, Honda's not gone out on a limb here, but what we can make out is a pleasing evolution from the current TSX/Euro Accord. Having experienced the cavernous new Accord, we find the TSX a bit more "right-sized" when you think in terms of sports sedans. Hopefully, sporty moves will be delivered by Honda's SH-AWD hardware, with the RDX's turbo-fed mill providing the twist -- at least that's what we're praying for. Production is expected to start later this year.

[Source: VTEC.net]

click above for more images of the 2008 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima narrowly beat out the Honda Accord for the coveted Consumer Reports Top-Ranked, Mid-priced Sedan, which is revealed in the February 2008 issue. The V6 Accord lost to the V6-powered Altima by a scant one-point, followed by the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.

Consumer Reports tested a number of family sedans for its February issue, ranging from the base four-cylinder models and up to the range-topping V6s. The selected vehicles, which also included the Ford Taurus, Dodge Avenger, Kia Amanti and Subaru Legacy, were broken down into three categories: "Affordable," "Mid-priced" and "Large" family sedans.

The four-cylinder Altima took the top spot in the "Affordable" category, leading by six points over the Accord, with the Kia Optima EX and Passat 2.0T coming in third and fourth, respectively.

Consumer Reports is quick to point out that the Accord, which has won the publications Top Pick for five years, outperformed the majority of the players, but in the end, the Altima proved to be the best value overall.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

click above for more high-res images of the Mugen Inspire

When it's time for Bruce Wayne to hang up the bat costume and settle down with a wife and kids, he'll need a car with more rear-seat leg room than the Tumbler. We suggest he take the Mugen Inspire for a test drive (with Morgan Freeman riding shotgun for good measure). With all the style and panache that the Dark Knight's daily driver should have, it's also got two more doors and some LATCH anchors for a baby seat. In typical Mugen fashion, the standard Honda Accord has been gussied up with a number of aero add-ons, including a new grille, front spoiler, side sills, rear apron and a rear spoiler from which a 100 or so bats could hang. Yes, the look is way over the top, but it's fun in the way it comically exaggerates the Accord's ho-hum design. The Inspire also gets a sports exhaust to free a few more horsepower through better breathing, as well as upgraded brakes, a lowered sports suspension and new aluminum wheels. It's faster than a stock Accord for sure, but probably not by much. But hey, with the wife and little ones in tow, Mr. Wayne shouldn't be speeding anyhow.

[Source: Mugen]

Click image for live gallery of the Honda Coupe HFP from SEMA

The second accessorized Accord from Honda is the Accord Coupe HFP Concept. This is the one that you can replicate with a careful parts checking in the Honda Factory Performance accessory catalog, not the HF-S as we previously reported. This red sample looked pretty good, but not nearly as racy as the HF-S. After the jump you'll find the limited press release and a photo of the placard that provides details about what specific mods this coupe is sporting that you can buy for your own coupe. As we pointed out earlier, the great thing about factory accessories is that if you have the dealer affix them to your car, they carry a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

[Source: Honda]

Click above image for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Honda Accord

While 1976 was a big birthday year for the United States, it was still a pretty dark time for cars. Exhaust emission control systems were only a few years old and engineers were still struggling with the new technology. A new gizmo called a catalytic converter was starting to appear in many cars and that necessitated the use of gasoline that was free of tetra-ethyl lead. In those days before sophisticated electronic engine controls, most components were still mechanical and engines weren't working as well as they had only a few years earlier. They were using more gas and they were down on power.

Honda Motor Company had its first automotive hit with the Civic that had been introduced a few years earlier. In 1976, Honda introduced a second larger model to its U.S. lineup dubbed the Accord. While the new car was indeed larger than the Civic, it was by no means large. The first Accords measured a whopping 93.7 inches between the axle center-lines and 162.0 inches from bumper to bumper. Power came from a "screaming" 1.6L four-cylinder with a finger pulling 68 HP and Honda's revolutionary CVCC system. September 2007 marked the debut of what is arguably Honda of America's most important model, the new eighth generation 2008 Honda Accord. Honda provided Autoblog with a fresh Accord EX-L V-6 sedan to drive from the first week's production run. We'll tell you all about our experience after the jump.


All photos ©2007 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Has Ernie Boch Jr. let the cat out of the bag? Autoblog reader Jason tipped us that he heard a fleeting mention of the 2008 Honda Accord being Motor Trend's Car Of The Year during a commercial for a seasonal promotion at the national sales champ dealership. Could it be that Jason's sharp ear has uncovered Motor Trend's announcement traditionally made in November? Boch Honda's website mirrors the statement that Jason heard, as well, offering a "newly redesigned 2008 Honda Accord LX, Motor Trend's Car Of The Year" for a $198/month lease. Motor Trend, on the other hand, remains mum so far on its pick. The press always blows the automaker's embargoes, how meta is it that a dealer appears to have deflated the COTY balloon? We'll be giving Ernie a ring on Monday, stay tuned.

Thanks for the tip, Jason!

When news came back in May that GM would encourage Chevy dealers to have a Camry on hand for customers to compare directly to the forthcoming Malibu, we lauded the company for walking the walk. Similarly confident in the Saturn Aura, the General ran a program earlier this summer in which Aura shoppers were offered comparison drives in both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. According to GM, the Saturn program was a success, and Aura sales rose during the promotion. Despite that, the Malibu vs. Camry deathmatch is now officially DOA.

No specific reason has been given for the change of heart. A GM spokesperson says only that "it's been off the table for quite some time" and that "it wasn't the best approach" for the Malibu. The (undoubtedly significant) costs associated placing comparison vehicles in the 4,000+ Chevy dealers was said to not be a factor in the decision.

[Source: CNNMoney]