Self-driving Honda here next week

Honda Australia is about to launch the ninth generation of its large Accord sedan – a car that will literally drive itself.

First revealed last August and due to be launched in Australia on May 6, Honda’s redesigned Commodore and Falcon rival will be available with the Japanese brand’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS).

ADAS goes one step beyond radar-based cruise control systems that can follow a vehicle ahead even in stop-start traffic by combining Adaptive Cruise Control with a Lane Keep Assist System that steers the car using a camera on the rear-view mirror to monitor road markings.

The system, which effectively amounts to auto-pilot technology for cars, was first announced in 2006 and appeared in the UK’s Accord the same year, but will make its Australian debut in the Mk9 Accord.

However, Honda stresses that ADAS is not a substitute for actual driving and will not allow drivers to take a nap at the wheel by beeping every 10 seconds to ensure the car’s driver is still paying attention.

It’s unclear what price premium the system will command, but a marketing campaign emailed to prospective owners last week confirms ADAS will be available in the top-shelf Accord VTi-L four-cylinder, and fitted as standard in the flagship Accord V6L.

As we reported when the new Accord sedan and coupe were released in the US last year, Honda’s new large sedan will introduce the company’s first ‘Earth Dreams’ engine range, which promises improved fuel economy and lower emissions thanks to direct-injection and double overhead cams.

The base engine will be a 2.4-litre four-cylinder offering more torque and 10 per cent lower fuel consumption than its predecessor, matched with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Accord’s 3.5-litre V6 has been overhauled too and, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, also promises more power and efficiency.

In North America, the new Accord will also be available as a plug-in hybrid offering three modes (pure-electric, petrol-electric and petrol-only drive), but neither the PHEV nor coupe versions are on the radar for Australia at this stage.

Despite being shorter than before overall, Honda says clever interior packaging has resulted in more space for all occupants, while the new, more aerodynamic shape combines with low-drag exterior surfaces including nearly-flush windshield glass, flush-mounted windshield wipers and attention to under-body components.

Honda’s marketing pre-reveal has divulged no technical details, but confirms the 2013 model will be available in five grades – up from three currently (VTi, VT-L and V6L).

The 2013 Accord line-up will again open with the entry-level VTi and close with the V6L (with ADAS), but in between this time will be VTi-S, VTi-L and ‘VTi-L +ADAS’ variants.

All models will ride on alloy wheels and feature a chromed side glass surround, but the base VTi misses out on upstream models’ LED running lights and fog lights, among other items.

While US Accords are built in Honda’s Marysville plant in Ohio, Australian Accords are likely to continue to be sourced from Thailand.

The outgoing Accord range opens at $28,190 plus on-road costs, but the strong Australian currency and a host of new big-car rivals – including next month’s facelifted VF Commodore and the all-new Nissan Altima due later this year – should bring improved value for Accord buyers.

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