Honda PH unveils two variants of the all-new Accord sedan

THE NINTH-GENERATION Accord is presented to the media at the launch graced by (from left) Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp. chair and president JP Orbeta, Honda Research and Development chief engineer for Honda Accord Tomoyuki Yamagami, Honda Cars Philippines president and general manager Tatsuya Natsume, House of Investments Inc. president Medel Nera and Honda Cars Makati president and chief operating officer Emmanuel Aligada. ALVIN UY

The Honda Accord has stood out in its class by offering executive-car comfort with a dash of the sportiness that its smaller cars carry.

The latest generation Accord seeks to be no different, with a sharply cut exterior, driver-oriented interior and a design philosophy that combines a bigger cabin to  a smaller, lighter body.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) just unveiled the ninth-generation Honda Accord at the Blue Leaf Filipinas events hall, offering its 2.4 S and 3.5 SV variants. The new-generation Accord promises an improved “Honda DNA” of durability, quality and reliability. HCPI invited the chief engineer of the Honda Accord, Tomoyuki Yamagami of Honda R&D Co. Ltd. to showcase the leading technical highlights and features of the Accord, including innovations from their Formula One engineers and designers who were also involved in the development of the all-new Accord. From technical innovation to its design language, the Accord also promises improved fuel economy, a fun-to-drive performance, class-leading comfort and low cabin noise with advanced safety features like its noise-canceling technology.

“I could not think of anything but to start the year right by introducing Honda’s flagship model. With the launch of the all-new Accord, we aim to present nothing but a sedan that excels in all areas that customers expect from this segment, from exterior to interior,” said Tatsuya Natsume, HCPI president and general manager, during the launch.

Exterior concept

The “dynamic intelligent sedan” exterior concept is  based on a strong and solid body design, and sculpted to improve its aerodynamic efficiency with matching aesthetics. For the first time, the Accord features first-in-class LED dual projector type headlights. With a smaller and lighter body than its predecessor, the new-generation Accord also offers a bigger interior space, with a better head-, foot- and legroom, and a 450-liter trunk capacity. Inside, the innovative onboard infotainment system features two color monitor screens, with an 8-inch monitor that shows information such as fuel consumption, trip computer and other vehicle information while a smaller screen is meant for the audio system that features an intuitive touch screen, allowing users to control the audio system and the hands-free telephone function via Bluetooth connectivity.

A first in the Accord, its noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels are significantly improved with a new body frame design and better sound proofing insulation, paired with its Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC) that electronically detects cabin noise from a microphone that triggers optimal noise-canceling waves to be emitted from the speakers to remove noise, creating a more linear engine sound resulting in a remarkably quiet ride.

The all-new Accord is also the first Honda model available in the country that is equipped with Honda’s revolutionary “Earth Dreams Technology,” a next-generation set of technological innovations that improves both fuel efficiency and driving performance. With  277.15 horsepower at 6,200 revolutions per minute, the 3.5-liter V6 Accord is the most powerful Accord ever. And like the previous-generation Accord, its V6 engine is still accompanied by Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) and comes with the six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for enhanced fuel economy.

The 2.4-liter, DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder model on the other hand, offers 172.60 HP at 6,200 rpm and comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission also with paddle shifters. Suggested retail prices are P1.72 million for the 2.4 S variant with five-speed AT with paddle shifters and P2.097  million for the 3.5 SV variant with six-speed AT with paddle shifters. It is currently available in five colors: modern steel metallic, crystal black pearl, carnelian red pearl, alabaster silver metallic (2.4 S only) and white orchid pearl (with an additional P20,000 premium).