By
EWAN KENNEDY
12 June 2006
Honda's Accord Euro tends to grab all the headlines, principally
because it’s the model that appeals to the keen driver, but let's not
forget the ’other’ Accord. Designed for the American market, and
sometimes given the unofficial title of Accord Amer, the larger Accord
is doing very nicely for itself on the sales race.
That’s partly because it benefits from
lower prices created by the Australia/Thailand free trade agreement (the
car's made in Thailand). The Accord starts at just $29,900. But also
because you get a large, spacious luxury car that suits many more
conservative buyers’ needs.
Honda has improved the wide-bodied Accord
by giving it a minor facelift and increasing the power output of the
four-cylinder engine.
The biggest news is under the bonnet of
the four-cylinder Accord VTi. Power output has been increased from 118
to 125 kW and the use of fly-by-wire throttle control should further
smooth out what is already a very good engine. We’ve yet to road test
the new Accord engine but will endeavour to do so as soon as possible.
From a visual point of view the latest
version of the Accord has revisions to the rear end styling that include
LED taillights for faster lightup and therefore greater safety. A new
design of alloy wheel and a revised shape to the exhaust tailpipe
completes the minor styling revamp.
Inside, there's a sportier look by
courtesy of black trim, a pseudo-metallic console and a revised gear
lever.
The Accord V6 models get similar styling
changes to the four-cylinder but the engine itself remains unchanged. An
electronic stability program, Honda calls its system VSA for Vehicle
Stability Assist, is fitted to both V6 models. Prices are again very
competitive, with the standard V6 costing $36,990 and the upmarket
Accord Luxury (which gets satellite navigation and leather trim as
standard) being priced at $44,990.
This market segment isn’t doing a huge
amount at the moment, which is another reason for the very good prices
on these cars, but the introduction of the new Toyota Camry and Aurion,
and even the new Holden VE Commodore, should do a lot to spark buyer
interest over the upcoming months.
