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By
EWAN KENNEDY in Vienna
12 May 2008
Honda has given a select group of Australian motoring
journalists a preview and test drive of the latest edition of its
Accord Euro sedan.
These days the Honda Accord is sold in Australia in two quite
different variants, one aimed at the European market and having a
distinctly sporty flavour. The other designed for the Americans,
who buy it in huge numbers, and which is larger and softer. The
latest edition of the American car, which is simply called the
Accord, was launched in Australia in March. Now we have had a look
at the model called the Accord Euro.
Incidentally, such is the nature of typical Australian drivers
that ours is one of very few countries in the world into which
both versions of the car are imported. Everyone else on the planet
tends to lean in one direction or the other, not we Aussies…
When we test drove the new (American) Accord in March we were
immediately impressed that it had gone in a sportier direction
than the previous one, and speculated that the Accord Euro would
move even further towards sports sedan territory. How right we
were.
The Euro’s style is sharp and purposeful, almost to the point
of being aggressive. Aggressive in a positive European manner that
is, the new Accord Euro certainly isn’t intended to frighten
other drivers. The body is noticeably wider than before, and has
also been lowered slightly to give it even more stability on the
road.
Accord Euro’s extra width is particularly noticeable inside,
with the sort of elbow room you normally only get in a large
family car.
The roofline has also been lowered, and the seats are closer to
the floor than in the soon-to-be superseded Euro. This makes
getting in and out a little more difficult, something you may care
to try for yourself if your knees and back are getting on in
years.
Lowering the seats has made for more headroom in the Accord
Euro Luxury versions which are fitted with a sunroof although only
the tallest of travellers are likely to have any problem under the
sunroof.
Rear-seat legroom isn’t all that brilliant for a car of this
size, a factor of the move to make the latest Euro a sports sedan.
The latest Accord is significantly wider in its track to
further improve stability and handling. Our initial road test
showed it to have sharp steering and to be happy to hold onto
roads at speeds likely to be approached by only the hardest of
drivers. Ride comfort remained good on the backroads and was
excellent on motorways where we cruised for extended periods at
130 to140 km/h in excellent comfort.
Engine power has been increased to a neat 200 bhp (147
kilowatts in Australian terms) from the four-cylinder 2.4-litre
powerplant. On our road test in and around Vienna we found it to
have plenty of power. Though the torque peak is at 4500 revs,
which is relatively high in this day and age (though very ‘Honda’),
there's decent grunt at all revs over 2000.
Transmission options are as before, a slick six-speed manual or
a five-speed automatic with manual overrides.
The new Accord Euro will be sold in three variants: even the
lower cost model is well equipped, with 17-inch alloy wheels, a
premium sound system with a USB input, a cooled glovebox and
centre-console box, automatic electric windows on all four doors,
and cruise control. On the safety front it gets ABS, ESP and six
airbags.
Accord Luxury also receives 18-inch alloys, a sunroof, leather
trim, heated front seats and automatic lights and wipers.
Topping out the range is the Accord Euro Luxury Navi. As the
name suggests it has satellite navigation, the screen is also
connected to a reversing camera and there's built in wiring for
Bluetooth connections.
Honda only plans to import four-door Euro sedans to Australia
at this stage. But the Tourer station wagon is a good-looking
machine, and practical to boot. It may be added to the import list
should petrol prices continue to scream upwards and big SUVs
finally fall out of fashion.
Prices for the new Honda Accord Euro have yet to be determined,
but the managing director of Honda Australia, Lindsay Smalley
anticipates a slight rise over the rrp for the current model. A
lot of this rise could be absorbed by the inclusion of extra
standard equipment, so the increasing value of the Australian
dollar against the Japanese yen should mean you get a lot of Honda
for your money.
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Marque Publishing Company
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