The Honda Accord Through The Years (Part 5)
A totally-redesigned Accord debuted in 1994 with new dimensions, resulting in a larger interior. The wheelbase grew to 106.9 inches and the overall length increased slightly to 185.6 inches. The Accord featured a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC). A significant milestone for the Accord and for this class of vehicle, the Accord received a V-6 engine in 1995 for the first time. The 24-valve, 2.7-liter engine produced 170 horsepower and 165 lbs-ft. of torque. The V-6-powered Accords featured a different, longer nose and a different grille.
A totally new Accord debuted with a new body and completely redesigned chassis and engine. A 2.3-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine and a 3.0-liter V-6 engine were offered. Unique coupe and sedan body styles were used - the Coupe styled in the U.S. and the Sedan receiving styling from Japanese design studios. The wheelbase for the 2-door Coupe was 105.1 inches, while the Sedan rode on a 106.9-inch wheelbase. The Sedan and Coupe variations were the most different visually and mechanically of any Accord at the time, with the Coupe being designed, developed and engineered by Honda R&D Americas. Dual front airbags were standard along with available side airbags (standard on EX). Prices: DX 4-Door Sedan, $15,400; LX Sedan and Coupe (4-cylinder), $18,790; EX Sedan and Coupe (4-cylinder), $22,550; LX Sedan and Coupe (V-6), $22,400; EX Sedan and Coupe (V-6), $25,100. In 2000, the first Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) Accord was offered in California on EX Sedan 4-cylinder models with an automatic transmission. It was the first internal-combustion, gasoline-powered vehicle to achieve SULEV status, which is the most stringent emission standard in the world.
A completely-redesigned Accord debuted with entirely new styling inside and out in 2003. Larger and more powerful, a 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine was introduced and was available with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. A 240-horsepower 3.0-liter VTEC V-6 engine was introduced, and the Accord Coupe could be had with a 6-speed manual transmission for the first time. At the top of the model range was the Accord EX V-6 Sedan with a leather interior. Additionally, a navigation system became available. Side-curtain airbags and driver- and front-passenger front-side airbags were standard on the Accord EX V-6 Sedan for 2003, and became standard equipment on every Accord model by 2005 as part of the company’s “Safety for Everyone” initiative. A powerful Accord Hybrid debuted for the 2005 model year, powered by a 3.0-liter i-VTEC V-6 with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) and Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology.
In 2006, the entire Accord lineup received a facelift with new front and rear styling and changes to the entire line. Horsepower increased across the board with the 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine producing 166 horsepower, the 3.0-liter VTEC V-6 engine increasing to 244 horsepower, and the Accord Hybrid producing 253 horsepower.
Compared to the first Accord in 1976, the 2008 sedan’s wheelbase is 16.5 inches longer, the width has increased by 8.9 inches, and the overall length has increased by 31.3 inches. What has not changed in that time is how the Accord embodies the same fundamental values of dependability, quality, reliability and a fun driving experience. Some might have left a good car alone, opting for a restyle and some evolutionary tweaks after sales of close to 1.9 million vehicles in the life cycle of the seventh-generation model. The seventh generation Accord continued to win awards and comparisons, all while maintaining the highest resale value in a highly competitive landscape.
Unwilling to settle for anything less than leadership, the new Accord again pushes the limits of its segment with the goal of resetting the industry benchmark. Engineered to lead in the areas of value, quality and reliability, the 2008 Accord innovates with new levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda’s revolutionary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ ACE™ body structure and Accord’s first 100-percent application of Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA™) on every model and trim level. Environmental leadership is demonstrated by offering the industry’s first 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engine lineup that meets strict PZEV emissions standards as well as offering a new version of Honda’s VCM technology that allows more powerful performance to exist with increased fuel economy. The end result is a package that is roomier, more advanced and fun to drive.
The 2008 Accord features a 2.4-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that produces 177 horsepower on LX models and 190 horsepower on all coupe and EX sedan models. A 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine is available, featuring Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) for enhanced fuel efficiency. In short, the eighth-generation Accord is more powerful, refined and efficient than ever.
To Be Concluded
