Accord Euro: pics and specs

The new generation of Accord Euro will go on sale locally around the middle of this year, but the car has already been revealed in all its glory ahead of the Geneva Motor Show.

We've already reported the badge-engineered Acura TSX (more here). Now we can reveal Honda official press information covering the new Accord. Along with the images of the new car, Honda has also provided European specs, but note that these will not necessarily apply to the car that goes on sale locally.

In Europe, the Accord is being launched in both sedan and wagon (Tourer) body styles. As an aside, the Acura's frontal styling appears more aggressive than the Accord's.

Honda is offering the European Accord with three engines. The company has revealed little concerning the second generation diesel planned for the new Accord, other than to say that the 2.2-litre i-DTEC powerplant complies with Euro 5 emissions standards and features more efficient exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter. Peak power is 110kW at 4000rpm and torque is 350Nm from 2000rpm.

A 2.0-litre petrol engine has been revised from the engine fitted to the current (European) car for improved economy. Changes include increased valve lift from the VTEC variable valve timing system and increased diameters for the intake valves.

The 2.4-litre petrol engine based on the engine fitted to our current Accord Euro has been tweaked for improved performance and is now rated at 233Nm of torque at 4500rpm and approximately 147kW at 7000rpm. That's approximately a 7kW and 10Nm increase on the current output.

To achieve this improved output, Honda has specified an increased compression ratio -- raised from 10.5 to 11.0:1 -- larger diameter valves, reduced exhaust back-pressure and revised valve timing for the 2.4-litre engine.

The standard transmission will be a six-speed manual and petrol-engined variants can be ordered with an optional five-speed automatic. There is no automatic option mentioned for the diesel Accord.

Honda has lowered the centre of gravity for the new car and widened the track. These changes, along with redesigned front double-wishbone and rear multilink independent suspension systems, variable-rate dampers and enhanced body rigidity result in claimed improvements in handling and body roll.

Steering has been revised, by the development of electric assistance and a quicker ratio. The electric assistance is linked to a new safety feature named Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS). Through this system, the stability control program can feedback 'prompts' to the steering wheel when the car's attitude indicates a loss of stability -- either under brakes or during cornering.

In the same circumstances, the stability control will also ensure that the car is braked appropriately and engine torque is reduced, to overcome oversteer or understeer, as applicable.

Other safety features introduced with the new Accord -- but not necessarily for Australian consumers -- include 'Lane Keeping Assist System', 'Adaptive Cruise Control' and 'Collision Mitigation Brake System'. The first actually uses a camera to detect the car deviating from its lane and automatically adjusting the torque on the steering column to ensure the car remains in the lane.

Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adjusts the distance between the car and the vehicle in front to save the driver making constant adjustments.

Collision Mitigation Brake System warns the driver when safe braking distance to the car in front is exceeded.

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