Euro debuts in heart of Europe

Honda says it will aim to take on "established premium contenders" in the D-segment (medium) with the new 'Euro' Accord, launched at the Salon International de l'Automobile Geneve this week in Switzerland.

Like its direct rival, the Mazda 6, the new Accord is larger than the car it replaces, but very clearly evolutionary. In Europe, at least, it will aim to steal sales from the likes of Audi's A4 range as well as segment leaders like BMW's 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Though full dimensions won't be released until the car's official launch in Austria in May, the new car is appreciably wider than the car it replaces, and slightly lower.

The car goes on sale in Europe in both Tourer (wagon) and saloon variants in June. Honda Australia staff on hand in Geneva confirmed the car will keep its 'Euro' nameplate when it arrives Down Under mid-year.

Three engine choices will be offered in Europe, all Euro V emissions compliant. New 2.0 and 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engines are claimed to be among the most frugal in their class. The new 2.2-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel engine builds on Honda's European experience with the outgoing i-CDTi powerplant.

Australian Euro buyers will be limited to the sedan only -- at least initially. Additionally, only the 2.4-litre petrol engine is currently confirmed for Oz, however, according to Honda Australia's Mark Higgins, the local branch is "looking hard" at options to add the i-DTEC engine to the Aussie line-up.

"We'd very much like to add the turbodiesel engine to the Euro's offer Down Under. The engine has great potential and we think it sits very well with the European flavour of the new car," Higgins told the Carsales Network at the car's reveal.

"The challenge we face is making the business case stack up in the car as a manual -- there's no auto option for the i-DTEC version at this stage," Higgins explained.

Higgins said Honda is also keen to add the Accord Tourer (wagon) to the local line-up.

Honda claims the Euro's new 2.4-litre engine is around 7kW more powerful than the current engine (200ps, up from 190). Torque is up 11Nm to 233. The new powerplant boasts a higher compression ratio, larger diameter valves, revised valve timing, and reduced exhaust system pressures.

The new i-DTEC engine features common rail piezoelectric multi-stage fuel-injection and a particulate filter for what Honda says are "significantly reduced emissions". Peak power is 110kW with 350Nm of torque available at 2000rpm.

The new Euro also gets a significant suite of driver aids and safety equipment. Honda has added Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) to the car's stability control system. The European versions will also boast Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) available as optional equipment.

While we obviously can't comment on performance, a quick motor show 'test sit' confirmed the new car offers a step up in both cabin size and quality. There's more elbow room and new dash layout further distances the car from its more conservative near-full-size US market cousin (more here). So too, the choice of materials -- right down to the Euro-style perforated leather seat facings on the more heavily bolstered sports seats.

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