Honda has taken the wraps off of the 2018 Accord, one of the most popular and therefore important vehicles in their line-up. On looks alone the next generation Accord will polarise opinion with the large horizontal chrome strip extending from each of the centrally recessed headlights. The same design language used to style the 10th generation Civic has been carried over to the Accord with those unmistakable C-shaped rear lights and bold lines.
Overall the car comes through as a sedan blended with coupe elements thanks to the swooping rear roofline, it sits lower and wider than its predecessor yet has a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs.
“We are redefining the Honda Accord for a new generation of buyers by bringing something unexpected that challenges the idea of what a mainstream sedan can be,” said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President of the Automobile Division of Honda America at the launch event in the US. “Even as we advance core values like great driving dynamics, safety performance and efficiency, the distinctive design of this all-new 2018 Honda Accord will help it appeal to both head and heart in equal measure.”
From the lower sportier driving position owners will be able to enjoy the interior creature comforts and technology Honda will be offering various grades of the Accord in. 12-way power adjustable seats with height-adjustable lumbar support bring further comfort improvements as well as being both heated and now ventilated.
The cabin is lined with tech toys such as the slim 7″ TFT driver’s meter and 8″ infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity which will pump audio through a 10 speaker 450 watt audio system in higher grades of trim. Vital information such as speed, rpm and turn by turn navigation are relayed to the driver through a 6″ heads up display, further tech included comes in the form of wireless charging, automatic bluetooth phone pairing via NFC and built in WiFi powered by 4g LTE networks.
The 2018 Accord looks to be armed with more tech than Silicon Valley and we haven’t even touched on the safety related additions. As standard the Accord will come with Honda Sensing Safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard such as a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Sign Recognition. Also standard will be a multi angle rearview camera with dynamic parking guidelines whereas Blind Spot Information, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Cross Traffic Monitor and Driver Awareness Monitor safety options are available as optional extras.
Three engine configurations will be mated to 3 transmission options for the new Accord. Expect to see a 6 speed manual and CVT as well as segment first in the form of a 10 speed automatic gearbox.
The smallest of the three engine configurations is a 1.5-litre direct injected turbo with dual variable timing control making 143kW @ 5,500 rpm and 260Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm.
A larger gruntier 2-litre direct injected turbo with i-VTEC will be offered making 188kW @ 6,500rpm and 370Nm from 1,500 rpm to 4,000 rpm.
And finally for the fuel conscious drivers a 2-litre Atkinson cycle engine with 40% thermal efficiency will be paired up with electric drive motors powered by the floor mounted hybrid battery pack.
As standard all models will be fitted with an adaptive damper system that makes shock absorber adjustments 500 times a second providing improved ride and control.
The 2018 Accord is already shaping up to be a rather impressive bit of kit, we can only hope that all the tech and toys make their way into all international models too.
