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Comments
Put it this way - have Civic sales drastically dropped since they dropped the wishbones?
Accord will get a brand new 3.0 liter V6 DOHC iVTEC (let me guess the output, 220 HP @ 6000 rpm, 210 lb.-ft @ 4000 rpm). May be it will be a 3.2 liter V6. And about six months later, Honda will launch a Sport trim (finally in NA!) with the same engine pumped up to produce 240-260 HP.
I doubt Honda will move the displacement up in Accord. There is a limit up to which one can appreciate and use additional torque from the engine in a FWD car the rest is only for bragging rights. If you have got the power, the car can be geared up to produce more torque if required.
I will be surprised if Honda didn't put five speed automatic in Accord. It does not matter Camry, Altima, Maxima etc. not offering it. They started with TL, CL, MDX, and followed up with Odyssey and RSX (base). Pilot will have 5-speed auto too. The downside of the 5-speed auto is that it seems to add about 20 lb. more than conventional 4-speed automatic. BTW, Honda has been selling American Accord's current engine (3.0 liter V6 SOHC VTEC, 215 HP) in Avancier for couple of years with 5-speed Sport Shift automatic in Japan and it is dash mounted. BTW, the dash picture is that of Avancier equipped with 2.3 liter engine which was offered with 4-speed auto only.
As for styling, I have always noticed that Honda look better as you get closer. This version will be no different. I hope it doesn't look bulkier than it really is (as is the case with many cars), one of the reasons I like Passat's styling. It is a reasonably large car on the inside with deceiving exterior dimensions, which IMO is a good example of intelligent engineering.
You're right about the engine compartment though, my CR-V reminds me of a full size van or whatever those vehicles were with the small engine compartments.
The 2.3 liter I-4 is sold as is (150 HP) in Avancier, Accord Wagon and JDM Odyssey. However, Honda also makes a DOHC version of the 2.3 liter I-4 that delivers 200 HP (I believe 190 HP with auto). It is used in Accord Wagon SiR (FWD & AWD models).
The 3.5 liter V6 (240 HP) from American Odyssey is sold as is in Japan (they call it La Great). The 3.2 liter V6 (TL) is sold with the same output (225 and 260 HP) in Inspire/Saber (notice CA plates). However, there is another variation of the Accord V6, displacing 2.5 liters. It is tuned to produce 200 HP and is available as base engine in Inspire/Saber (what would had been 2.5TL in USA).
Pat
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Sedans Message Board
"Details remain sketchy, but spies say Honda should find a little more interior room without increasing exterior size. V6 models exchange a 3.0-liter engine for a 3.2-liter, as used in the Acura CL coupe and TL sedan at Honda's luxury division. Horsepower is unknown, but should be at or a bit below the Acuras' 225. Accord's 4-cyl remains at 2.4 liters, but adoption of Honda's new "iVTEC" valve-control system should provide 160 hp, up 10"
I guess they don't know that the current accord has only a 2.3l 4-cyl engine. lets don't forget that some upcoming saturn model will be furnished with honda's 3.0l v6. it would be a nice marketing ploy for honda to have the new accord with the 3.2l v6 while its competition has the "old" accord v6.
Another sketch (from a German magazine) of '03 Accord that floated around over a month ago is back at www.vtec.net. This could be the next Euro Accord.
mpgman: abs is available in lx 4dr sedans and is standard in lx v6 sedans and coupes. you're right, abs should be more available but these models do not come with a sun roof.
Canandian Accord gets heated seats with leather (I believe outside mirrors are heated too), and that may be another feature added to Accord in USA this time around. I was at Dallas Auto Show yesterday, and noticed that Odyssey w/leather has it.
I am driving a 2001 Civic LX. I bad a 96 Accord LX before. Both have I4 engines. Accord has 15" wheel and double wishbone front and rear. Civic has 14" wheel and it has double wishbone only at the back. I frequently make sharp turns and I know Civic beats my Accord by a fairly large margin in this department. Usually, if I can make x mph at a turn with my Civic, I can only make x-5 mph with my Accord. Accord also has a very heavy understeer.
I also drove my uncle's 2000 Lexus LS which has double wishbone at both ends. There's no sporty feel about it whatsoever. The ride is comfortable but I felt I was driving a boat.
On the other end, I also drove my sister's 2001
Boxster S featuring McPherson strut suspension front and rear. I don't think there is anyone who would say Accord has a better handling than Porsche.
So I don't think double wishbone itself determines a car's handling capability or its sportiness. But maybe I miss some important points.
They used to have jerky automatic transmission and weak AC. But with my current Civic, I would say Honda has mainly solved these 2 problems.
Honda need not make too much of the redesigned Altima from a competition stand point IMO. Outside the Altima has a more striking look. But inside, it still looks like your typical rental car. The Accord beats it easily. No contest!! Plus the Honda reputation for reliability and durability. It's an easy choice, Honda all the way!
1. Make it the first Honda without noticeable road noise.
2. Keep the dash as low or lower than the current Accord(to give the car a more airy feel)
3. Don't increase the length or width. Smaller European and Japanese vehicles feel roomier, example: Passat.
4. Offer more colors in addition to the Honda Boring Collection.
5. Retain foldaway mirrors.
I'm assuming that it's going to look like the MagX pictures, and will come with the expected refinements in crash protection and emissions.
sure they will. remember the cl that's was out when the 98 accord coupe debut. talk about getting upstaged. the tl is going to take a hit when the new accord debuts. a lot of people are going to pleasantly surprised when the 03 accord debuts.
www.autoextremist.com
IMO, Accord will likely retain two (Japanese-European and American) sizes and styling instead of three (Japanese, American and European). The American Accord will be larger as it is now, and Japanese/European will be the smaller version to use smaller engines. Styling may or may not be same for the two trims. Even if they are different, there may be a few similarities between the two styles.
i was racing an accord v6 at 100 mph too, and he backed out at 100 since I'm sure he felt his brakes vibrating. was that you ???
Having said that, the new Civic's problem is the REAR suspension which doesn't have two arms for increased trunk & gas tank! The front suspension on Civic is just fabuous (NOW do not raise eyebrows drive the civic to check yourself) Civic front suspension handles REAL well. The only problem is with the rear which bounces on the slightest undulation on the road surface. (2002 modifications improved & 50% of the testcase would be passed now but still it does bouce)
Would the 2003 Accord with struts handle better than 2002 ? MAYBE & prob'ly WILL but would 2003 Accord handle better with struts or bones ?? The answer is quite obvious! Struts how much you may want to glorify would not result in the geometry AS good as the Bones. Thats just the TRUTH!!
In short what I want to say is that if Honda does something like Civic for front suspension I would buy the Accord in a heartbit BUT NOT with the screw-up rear suspension. Honda misjudged when they thought of completely flat-floor. How many times a 2 door civic (or even 4 doors is going to have 3 passengers in the back???
Flat rear floor on 2 door civic is sort of a Oxymoron!! I hope we agree on that !!
As for struts versus bones, given a choice, I would prefer bones, like it is in both of my cars. But if the next Accord handles just as well or better than the current Accord, I wouldn't have problem with the change.
though I fear this may be reserved for Europe/Japan only? So, I guess I'll hold out all hope for the sporty coupe variant. I am looking to sell my '97 Prelude type SH,(...moment of silence of the passing of a great coupe please) but looking at the market right now just leaves me depressed, I see nothing this side of 30G that really inspires me. I briefly considered the RSX-s, ultimately determined that was a lateral move at best, with many tradeoffs, and I still can't get over thinking- shortened Alero with scallop head/tail lights.
I have also heard similar complaints which some of you have mentioned about the Civic's rear suspension being said about the RSX's- being somewhat hoppy, and not feeling as stable at higher speeds, something I have never felt in the Prelude. The lude feels solid and is confidence inspiring at high speed, steering is very linear and responsive,(even at 100+MPH) and that is something that I would not want to give up.
In short, I would rather go with a larger Accord with true sport competence, more torque, 6MT(PLEASE), and double wishbone naturally. Don't let me down Honda, I'm on the verge of despair!