The new
2008 Honda Accord will provide a strong challenge to the
traditional premium manufacturers, with sporty styling, greater
refinement and excellent driving dynamics. All
engines in the line up will be Euro 5 emissions compliant,
and the model will feature a sector-leading package of safety
systems.
The new 2008 Honda Accord’s styling
is an evolution of the current model, although it's significantly
wider and slightly lower than its predecessor, and adopts
a 'sharp-edged' design with muscular wheel arches to emphasise
the car's wider track.
The more sporty approach to exterior design is perhaps best
expressed in the new Tourer, which still offers incredible
versatility and practicality, but a mix of curves and crisp
lines at the rear give the estate a more stylish overall
appearance.
To create a more involving, communicative drive, the new
2008 Honda Accord development team used the highly-rated
BMW 3 Series as a benchmark, and enthusiastic drivers will
appreciate the new car's greater agility. A lowered
centre of gravity, a wider track and the all-new front double
wishbone and rear multilink suspension with variable rate
dampers, plus greater body rigidity mean that the Accord
more readily reacts to driver input. Handling is more
responsive and confidence-inspiring and body roll has been
reduced.
Speed sensitive electric power steering is standard on all
models and the new axial system features a high output, low
inertia brushless motor which provides excellent steering
feel at higher speeds for a sense of stability and confidence. A
quicker steering ratio has also been adopted in keeping with
the new 2008 Honda Accord's more agile chassis characteristics.
Inside the new 2008 Honda Accord , the car's dynamic characteristics
are reflected in the driver-focused cabin, with a dashboard
that extends from the centre console to sweep around the
front seats, creating a cockpit-like design. The width
of the car has allowed this without intruding on driver or
passenger space, thus maximising comfort levels.
The dash itself features 'floating'
backlit instruments, with an LCD multi-information display
contained within the centre of the speedometer face. Controls
positioned on the steering wheel allow the driver to cycle
the display through multiple screens of information. A
new feature is a service reminder that presents the driver
with either the distance or days remaining to a required
service, with an enlarged warning symbol appearing when the
due date is imminent.
Meanwhile, stylish and highly supportive
front seats have larger bolsters while a new internal structure
is designed to reduce any transmission of vibration. The
three spoke steering wheel follows a similar design to recent
Honda models, and holds a complete suite of controls - including
audio, cruise control and mobile telephone control. It
is fully adjustable for reach and rake, with an extra 10
degrees of tilt adjustment compared to the previous Accord.
Clever storage solutions ensure the car is as practical as
ever, including two centre console side pockets; a lidded
storage area to side of the steering wheel; large front door
pockets able to hold bottles and maps; bottle holders in
the rear door panels, and a large centre console box.
As well as a host of passive safety features, the new Accord
boasts an outstanding array of dynamic systems delivering
even greater security. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is
standard across the range and is designed to assist the driver
in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and
sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left
hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque
output as required.
The new Accord also features an innovative
system that utilises both VSA and the car's Electric Power
Steering. Called Motion Adaptive EPS, it detects instability
in slippery conditions both during cornering and under braking
and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed to prompt
the driver to steer in the correct direction. The input is
barely noticeable and control of the steering remains with
the driver at all times. But this supporting steering torque
is enough to prompt the driver to act intuitively and the
driver's reaction as a result is enough to regain stability
or to shorten braking distances, allowing control to be maintained.
Another important feature of Honda's
VSA is Trailer Stability Assist which ensures, by using a
combination of reduced engine torque and selective braking,
that the vehicle is slowed to a safe and stable speed if
snaking should occur while towing.Honda continues to bring
its latest safety technology to more drivers by offering
an updated version of ADAS (Advanced Driving Assist System)
as an option - and for the first time this will feature CMBS
(Collision Mitigation Braking System).
CMBS monitors the distance and closing
rate between the new 2008 Honda Accord and the car directly
in front of it, warning the driver of a likely collision
with alarms and seatbelt 'tugs'. If the system detects
that a collision is unavoidable, it automatically applies
braking to reduce the effects of an impact.
ADAS also includes Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) which
uses a camera to detect the car deviating from a traffic
lane and provides steering torque when necessary, thereby
reducing the burden of motorway driving while at the same
time enhancing safety.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a
millimetre-wave radar to maintain a consistent distance to
a vehicle directly in front, which can help reduce driver
fatigue.
The new 2008 Honda Accord's passive safety
features include front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters,
dual stage front airbags, driver and front passenger side
airbags, full-length curtain airbags and ISOFIX fittings
and tether anchor points for secure childseat fixture on
all models. There are
also front seat active headrests which are triggered when
the occupant is pushed into the seat in the event of a rear
impact, so causing a rigid plate to activate a link to the
headrest which pushes it forward to support the head.
Making its debut in the new 2008 Honda Accord is Honda's
second-generation diesel engine - the i-DTEC - which builds
on the outstanding qualities of the award-winning i-CTDi
unit. Not only is the new diesel more powerful - offering
150PS at 4,000rpm - it also offers cleaner emissions and
is smoother to drive.
Like its predecessor, the new i-DTEC
engine is compact, lightweight, refined and quiet in operation. It
employs the latest piezoelectric multi-stage fuel injection
technology, more efficient exhaust gas recirculation and
a particulate filter for significantly reduced emissions. Peak
torque is now 350 Nm (258lb.ft) at 2,000 rpm.
The 2.0-litre petrol i-VTEC offers 156
PS at 6,300 rpm, and improves on its class-leading fuel economy. Key
technological changes include increased diameter intake valves,
further optimised valve lift and timing and increased inlet
and exhaust air flow volumes.
Meanwhile, the 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine
is more powerful, delivering a respectable 200PS at 7,000
rpm and peak torque of 233 Nm (187 lb.ft) at 4,500 rpm. Behind
the figures are a compression ratio increased from 10.5 to
11.0:1, larger valves, revised valve timing, and reduced
exhaust system pressures.
All three engines are matched to a 6-speed
manual transmission, while both petrol engines have the option
of a 5-speed automatic. An automatic gearbox for the i-DTEC
engine will be launched in early 2009.
Manual models feature a Shift Indicator
Light, which appears in the centre of the rev counter. 'UP'
or 'DOWN' graphics are displayed to advise the driver of
the optimum point (in terms of best fuel economy) at which
to change gear; Honda tests have demonstrated fuel savings
of as much as five per cent by following these commands.
If you’d like to attend our launch evening
on Thursday 29th May of the new 2008 Honda Accord then either:
The new
2008 Honda Accord will provide a strong challenge to the
traditional premium manufacturers, with sporty styling, greater
refinement and excellent driving dynamics. All
engines in the line up will be Euro 5 emissions compliant,
and the model will feature a sector-leading package of safety
systems.
Inside the new 2008 Honda Accord , the car's dynamic characteristics
are reflected in the driver-focused cabin, with a dashboard
that extends from the centre console to sweep around the
front seats, creating a cockpit-like design. The width
of the car has allowed this without intruding on driver or
passenger space, thus maximising comfort levels.
As well as a host of passive safety features, the new Accord
boasts an outstanding array of dynamic systems delivering
even greater security. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is
standard across the range and is designed to assist the driver
in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and
sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left
hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque
output as required.
Making its debut in the new 2008 Honda Accord is Honda's
second-generation diesel engine - the i-DTEC - which builds
on the outstanding qualities of the award-winning i-CTDi
unit. Not only is the new diesel more powerful - offering
150PS at 4,000rpm - it also offers cleaner emissions and
is smoother to drive.
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