Autoblog

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.