|
By
EWAN KENNEDY
30 June 2008
A couple of months ago we were able to attend the international
launch of the new-generation Honda Accord Euro – where else but
in its home market in Europe. To those who don’t know their cars
this may seem like a strange statement. Surely, they say, Honda is
a Japanese company, not a European one?
Not
so, in these global times Honda is very much part of the world
market and has design centres and a factory in the UK, as well as
in several other countries. Hence the term Accord Euro for this
specific model.
Our
initial road tests in Germany and Austria showed it to have sharp
steering and to be happy to hold onto roads at speed. Ride comfort
remained good on the backroads and was excellent on motorways,
where noise reduction and general refinement was especially
noticeable. But in those circumstances there's always the niggling
feeling that it may not have been as good in Australia.
Thankfully,
Honda's engineers understand our conditions well and the latest
Euro remains quiet and smooth here during our road testing in
beautiful areas around Adelaide. However, we didn’t experience
any poor quality coarse-chip surfaces of the type that can upset
some European cars, even some pretty high-priced ones, at times.
We will have to wait until the final stages of our car evaluation
when we test this latest Accord on our home turf in Queensland.
Accord
Euro’s style is sharp and purposeful with quite a few cues to
the shape of the original, successful model. The body is
noticeably wider, and a tad lower, than before.
Accord
Euro’s extra width is particularly noticeable inside, with the
sort of elbow room that normally requires a large family car.
Rear-seat legroom isn’t all that great, possibly a reflection of
the fact that Euro is very much a sports sedan.
As
the roofline has been lowered and the seats are closer to the
floor getting in and out can be a little more difficult. As
always, try before you buy.
Lowering
the seats has made for more headroom in the Accord Euro Luxury
versions which are fitted with a sunroof and only the tallest of
occupants are likely to have any problems.
The
engine produces 200 bhp in European terms, 148 kilowatts to
Australians. The torque peak is at 4500 revs, which is relatively
high, though very ‘Honda’, there's decent grunt at all revs
over 2000 so the engine is most pleasant to sit behind.
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.
Accord
Euro is sharply priced, beginning at $32,990 it’s several
thousand below the anticipated figure. That partly because of the
rising value of the Australian dollar, but hard negotiating with
Honda's head office no doubt came into the equation as well.
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 is larger and
a little softer than the Euro. The latest American car, which is
simply called the Accord, was launched in Australia in March and
should also sit on your shopping list if you’re considering one
of these high-quality Japanese/global machines.
The
2008 Honda Accord Euro range, with prices (excluding on-road
costs), is:
Accord Euro: $32,990 (manual), $34,990 (automatic)
Accord Euro Luxury: $39,990 (manual), $41,990 (automatic)
Accord Euro Luxury Navi: $42,990 (manual), $44,990 (automatic)
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
