Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews ninth-gen Accord

Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews ninth-gen Accord

Honda unveiled this Accord Coupe Concept at Detroit, which should be just a concept in name. It shows off the styling direction for the next gen Accord, as well as a host of new technologies for the ninth-generation 2013 model, set to go on-sale in America this fall.

The 2013 Accord will feature three all-new powertrains, including a 2.4-litre direct-injected four-pot and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams technologies. In addition, the V6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the Accord Sedan and Coupe are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings in the US.

Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews ninth-gen Accord

Honda says that the next gen Coupe will retain today’s size, but the new US Sedan, which we normally get, will feature a more compact exterior footprint with shortened length and reduced weight for “more responsive handling and improved driving dynamics.” Despite the smaller body, both the Sedan and Coupe will retain the current model’s generous cabin space.

The new 2.4L DI engine will make more than 181 hp and 240 Nm of torque, which is more that today’s 2.4L, while delivering better economy. This engine will be paired to a 6-speed manual or a new CVT, which utilises an innovative cooperative control system for “excellent acceleration and responsive shifting.”

Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews ninth-gen Accord

Higher up, the re-engineered 3.5L V6 engine will be paired to a new 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. There will be an increase in horsepower and torque over the current model, and automatic transmission variants will come with Honda Variable Cylinder Management technology. Once again, class leading economy is the target.

The 2013 Accord range will also feature the first application of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system in the Sedan. The system moves continuously through three modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive.

In all-electric mode, the car will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 16 to 24 km in city driving scenarios and a top speed of 100 km/h. A full charge will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger.

In the gasoline-electric mode, the Accord is powered by a 2.0L, i-VTEC inline four Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). For more efficient high-speed cruising, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels. This model will debut late next year.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Carl Wong on Jan 11, 2012 at 3:06 am

    NICE, class leading fuel efficiency/economy and technology and performance….!!!

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  • owh…..unlike the NSX concept, this is bad, especially the front

    but nice rims

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  • Nothing special on the outlook design. Honda taking a safe approach. Concept car should be something bold and exciting.

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  • Kiddo on Jan 11, 2012 at 8:00 am

    It’s good that Honda revamps its lineup but why is its direction so similar to that of Toyota’s? Honda used to be like BMW, focusing on handling, high revving engines and nice designs, but it has now shifted to being tame, environmental-loving, and FAT!

    Look at the LED headlights, it reminds me of Toyota’s as well. And the Acura ILX, totally an IS250-wannabe.

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  • RedBeanBun on Jan 11, 2012 at 8:08 am

    OMG! its a Kia Forte + Hyunda Couple!

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    • Pride on Jan 11, 2012 at 4:30 pm

      For once, can you stop all these Korean shits again?

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    • Wallstreet on Jan 11, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      That’s because the look of new Forte is from the old Euro Accord. This Accord is just a evolution of the old Accord. Please la, the Japs are not interested to take anything from the Koreans…

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      • SaLeS aDViSor on Jan 11, 2012 at 11:14 pm

        honda busuk sudah ketinggalan zaman xde idea nk design kereta….. gearbox pun xpandai nk buat….. org lain sudah sampai planet pluto dia baru kat marikh…. proton pun ada kemajuan la skrng…. aku rasa org jepun ni otak dah beku… kalau suichiro honda hidup balik sure nangis tengok perkembangan honda zaman sekarang….

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  • it looks kinda similar with the current honda accord coupe…anyone noticed?
    is honda putting less emphasis in common/popular models now? Look at the new Civic, and now this..sigh

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  • BeemerFreak on Jan 11, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Wondering why most Japanese cars are falling into the cvt trap. Efficiency could also be achieved with a conventional torque converter auto like the 8 speeder that vw grp uses and also the skyactive gearboxes that mazda uses and it does not sacrifice driving experience. If a Honda does not have a good driving feel then it has lost it’s soul.

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    • Spear on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      Totally agreed. CVT is really a boring approach and I m really surprised Honda is going into that for a Accord..

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    • Kiddo on Jan 12, 2012 at 10:17 am

      VW Group’s 8-speeder is a CVT as well if I’m not mistaken. It’s the Multitronic that Audi uses.

      Of course good fuel consumption can be achieved by conventional torque-converter automatic gearbox but the gearbox has to have a lot of gear-ratios to achieve this, say the 8-speeder Lexus uses on its LS460L, LS600hL and IS-F. More ‘gears’ means better fuel consumption but this would increase the size, weight as well as the maintenance cost as well.

      CVT, on the other hand has a lot fewer parts compared to the auto gearbox. It uses a steel chain to control the ratio to deliver the most power at any situation. Size, weight and everything else is reduced greatly. And in most people’s mind, more gear ratios means more ‘geng’, and with CVT, one can create 9, 10, or even 100 ‘virtual’ gear-changes to attract customers. That is why they’re all going for CVT.

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  • hhhmmmm,…nice it looks like Accord Euro……………….i have the feeling that Accord Euro is going to be global car for Honda….. I think Honda designers are sleeping on the job again…….or are dreaming.

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  • Masked Ryder on Jan 11, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Now this is what i called a “True Beauty”

    Not those ugly mutant Veloster & Cee’d Korean Craps.

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    • BeemerFreak on Jan 11, 2012 at 12:57 pm

      Now that is whati call bias. This is clearly a mutant of the Kia Optima K5

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      • Masked Ryder on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:57 pm

        What a Joke ! This is clearly a evolution from the Accord Euro R, unless u admit that Peter The Looser copying Accord Euro R while designing Optimouse KO5.

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        • it is an evolution from the old accord but clearly not a good one… just like the new civic… honda is disappointing us..

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          • Masked Ryder on Jan 12, 2012 at 5:52 pm

            The reason why Accord, Camry can have evolution for their car is because all the generation turn out to be popular, they may carry some style over to the next generation.

            Unlike previous Sonata & Optima which end up disaster & laughing stock, that why they made sure every generation copying different make, they try to loss those bad memory from consumer mind. (Just look at those dealth ugly Sonata & Optima) what would their carry over the ugly frog eye light of Sonata or stupid crome grill of Optima.

            Infact KIA have to rename their C segment car in almost every generation eg. Sephia, Spectra, Cerato & Forte, so that consumer tense to forget those failure previous model.

            If it wasn’t for foreign designer & Mitsubishi derive engine their would still stuck with those UGLY look.

            Well bad news for you New Civic sole like hotcake in Canada currently lead as No.1 best selling car & 4th in USA after Camry, Corolla & Accord.

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  • AhBeng on Jan 11, 2012 at 11:19 am

    wouldn’t say the design is nice, but it’s organised and damn-play-safe. Come on lar, don’t be a condom. Even Volvo is out of the “box” literally.

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  • sawi cool on Jan 11, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    As expected from Honda, bold and conservative;
    Play safe, and capitalize on the brand.

    Well, they’re not the only one. VW are doing pretty much the same- their current design is rather conservative.

    Because if you choose to go for aggressive design, it will look fancy, people will talk about it, but it risk to be outdated and look bored prematurely – eg Peugeot 407…

    Nothing much to say, another Honda.

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  • Ugly , what had happen to Honda, its design is getting worst, Im sorry tough Im once a Honda fan but no now.Sorry Japanese automaker you are out of sight !!. Salute Ford ,Kia and Hyundai =) and of cause European automakers

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  • Lim Kopi on Jan 11, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Finally …. They decided to adopt the EURO ACCORD DESIGN!!

    THank GOD! its should do well this one …

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    • Wednesday on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:35 pm

      Yes! And thankfully they got rid of the bulging goldfish eye headlamp!

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  • mirror mirror on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Back is nice but the front is so so only, the only saving grace is perhaps those 3-projector lamps which look abit like the Alfa 159.

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  • suren on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    wen will new accord come to malaysia.. :(

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  • Wednesday on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    Looks much better without the bulging goldfish eye headlamp of the Accord today. Much more streamlined. Hope the 4-door sedan is just as nice.

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  • VOLVO FOR LIFE on Jan 11, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    actually i think it looks good. much better than last gen.

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  • azrai on Jan 12, 2012 at 8:18 am

    The front look just like the upcoming soon be launched in March Proton P3-21A leaked photo.

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  • barca96 on Jan 15, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Thank God the Euro-R look is here to stay.
    Absolutely gorgeous!

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  • danny on Mar 12, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    bila la kereta malysia nak maju,,,,, huhu

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  • carguy on Apr 25, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    The problem with this design is that it really doesn’t look too much different from the 2012 Accord coupe (which was a an attractive design when it first came out) and this just demonstrates that Honda really needs to hire new design studios (ie. Kia’s look better than anything that Acura/Honda has to offer). The powertrains are also disappointing as I would have liked a twin scroll turbo in place of the six along with a 7-8 speed dual clutch transmission. I’m not all that convinced that a CVT is the route to go since I have not been impressed with any CVT equipped cars that I have driven. At the very least, the Accord should have a start stop button, paddle shifters, rear a/c ducts, wide angle rear view cameras, turn indicators in the side view mirrors and HID lights (and the ELS sound system offered in Acuras).

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