In what is doubtlessly the briefest press release we'll read today, Honda has finally officially confirmed what we've known for some time now – the Japanese automaker will gain a new genre-crossing model called Accord Crosstour, with sales earmarked to begin this fall as a 2010 model.

Presumably, by calling it an "Accord Crosstour," Honda will also be able to neatly fold in the rakish new crossover/wagon/hatchback model's sales figures into that of the Accord upon which it is based – all the better to take on Toyota's Camry at the top of the sales charts. Check out Honda's official press release after the jump.



[Source: Honda | Images: M. Balisky]

There has been all manner of speculation leading to this point, but the Temple of VTEC says it has heard from a source who claims the Honda Crosstour will be arrive in the U.S. in late October.

Mules of the Toyota Venza competitor from Honda have been seen testing in the U.S. on an jerry-rigged European Accord Tourer setup, an in fact, it's not likely to vary a great deal from it visually.

Since a different rear differential has been spotted on some prototypes, all-wheel drive is reportedly on the menu. Temple of VTEC's source says it will be based on the Accord platform, tow 3,500 pounds, be 2.5 inches taller than the Accord and stretch a ginormous 7 inches further than the Venza, which would seem to make third row seating a fait accompli, but as far as we know, the Accord Tourer is strictly a two-row deal.

Based on the fact that dealers have reportedly received their accessory pre-order packs, Honda protocol indicates appearances on dealer lots six months later. And if they keep the finished product sharp and edgy like the Euro Tourer, there's a good chance we'll like it when it comes. Hat tip to Edison!

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

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.

If you visit the Toyota Jamaica website and have a look at the box under Toyota cars, you'll see these models listed: Avensis, Camry, Corolla, Yaris. Look at the pictures next to the cars listed, and you'll see an Avensis, an Accord, a Corolla, and a Yaris. That's right -- there's a Honda Accord thumbnail pictured next to the link for the Toyota Camry. According to tipster Michael, it's been that way for more than a year. We can certainly understand the odd spelling error or even the wrong picture... for a little bit. But substituting your bread-and-butter for your direct competitor's bread-and-butter for more than a year? Well, life is indeed relaxed in Jamaica town. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

[Source: Toyota Jamaica via Wheels Jamaica]

Spy pics of a new Honda CUV have surfaced, wearing the U.S-market Accord nose, the Euro Accord Tourer's hatch and a AllRoad-esque ride height. The wagon is rumored to be a development mule, but despite the taped-on fender flares and added length, the body doesn't look half-bad.

This new model could fit in between the CR-V and Pilot in the Honda lineup, and although there's no word on powerplants, the test mule had a rear differential, so AWD is almost a certainty. It is believed that this new AllRoad-challenger will go into production late next year at the Marysville or East Liberty plant and we're expecting to see the vehicle in concept form at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, even though Honda won't have a press conference to show it off. We'll keep you posted, but for now, follow the link to see the pics.

[Source: Auto123]

The Galpin Accord Concept is actually pretty tasteful for a Galpin Auto Sports vehicle, and even if the bright blue paint job doesn't get you more attention on the street than you can handle, the two tunnel-sized exhausts out back will do the trick. The carbon fiber roof and plinth for a rear wing will also get you all kinds of cred in certain parts of town. And while information is scarce, the Stoptech brakes up front will help you come back from the edge when the car's actual limits are exceeded. We don't what's hiding under that carbon fiber hood, but we'll take it on faith that the intercooler up front isn't just for show and that something turbo'd lies within. And then, because apparently racers can't hear the stereo when they're hard on the gas, the back seat has been replaced with a speaker array. You just can't be the fastest man on the planet without tunes, now can you? Ah, SEMA... Check it out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Click above to view teaser videos after the jump

Honda's famous "Cog" commercial proved that the process of making something cool is often more interesting than the cool thing itself. The Japanese automaker is going to try and wow our socks off again with a new commercial coming in June for the launch of the redesigned European Honda Accord (the same vehicle launched in the original "Cog" commercial), and in advance of its debut will be airing four short teaser ads.

The teaser ads will document the process of Honda's endeavor, called "Difficult is Worth Doing" (it has its own blog), and chronicle five days of shooting at The Perris Skydive Centre in California. That's right, we know the final commercial will involve 45 of the world's best sky divers doing some of the most complicated aerial formations ever attempted, but that's about it.

The teaser ads are being aired unbranded, so viewers won't actually know that Honda's behind them or that they're meant to promote the new Honda Accord in Europe until the final commercial is unveiled. The first teaser reveals that it's all got something to do with building a teapot, so our guess is that these 45 skydivers will be creating a three-dimensional tea pot thousands of feet in the air while plummeting towards Earth at 120 mph. We'll have to wait until June to see if we're right, but until then you can check out all three teasers, including three that haven't aired on television yet, and the original "Cog" commercial after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

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

Honda's Accord has grown at every redo since the model's inception, and this latest version is no different. We've already tried out the sedan, so we borrowed the two-door version to sample the Coupé lifestyle, wherein you actually pronounce those acute accents. Our first impression is that the Accord Coupe is the best Monte Carlo never made, while retaining a fundamental core of Hondaness. Accords have always been half cool, half dorky, with the scale tipping one way or another depending on the generation. This latest one continues that trend, and we wanted to find out if the 2008 Accord Coupe is crushingly cool or heavily noisome.


All photos © 2008 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

The 2008 Chevy Malibu has snatched up awards and media accolades, and JD Power data shows that customers are paying Chevy dealers handsomely to own one. The average transaction price of a Chevy Malibu is $22,358 -- $5,000 higher than the inherently uncool last-gen 'Bu. Twenty-one percent of buyers are also opting for the top-of-the-line LTZ vs. only 5% for the outgoing model.

The news isn't all rosy, however, as most of these customers are trading in other GM products to get themselves into the North American Car of the Year. Only 1.4% of buyers traded in a Toyota Camry, 1.3% swapped a Nissan Altima, and less than 1% turned in a Honda Accord. Those aren't exactly the kind of numbers GM will want to brag about, but at least the General is pulling in the equivalent of two Tata Nanos more per car than the last generation model did.

[Source: Detroit News]

Click above for gallery of the Euro-spec Honda Accord

Honda's Euro-spec Accord Tourer (a.k.a. wagon) has taken home the the 51st international Red Dot Award for high quality design, marking the third time that Honda has managed to win this award. Back in 2001, the S2000 brought home the trophy and in 2006, it was the current-generation Civic nabbing the honor. The Red Dot Award for design is a big deal in international circles, and while there are awards for products in 11 categories, there's only one Transportation award. Honda winning three times, including two-in-a-row, is remarkable.

While our Accord is a different animal entirely, the Euro-model Accord is available here, albeit in sedan form only, as the 2009 Acura TSX. It's amazing that an award-winning design as classy and elegantly understated as that of the European Accord could share so much in common with the polarizing lines of the redesigned 2009 Acura TSX.



[Source: Car Pages]