Honda is preparing a new installment of their medium sedan for 2008. Featuring the new "Keen Edge Dynamics" design, the new Accord will offer a brilliant cocktail of comfort and performance. Following the general lines of the Sports 4 concept car, the 2008 Honda Accord is expected to make a real splash in the sport sedan segment, giving serious headaches to all the Mazda 6s and Alfa 159s out there.

2009 Honda Accord

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  • Model: 2009 Honda Accord
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Honda has surprised us all with their revolution in the compact segment, when they reinvented the Civic, one of the best selling cars in the world. On many markets, previous Hondas were considered as too conservative and oriented towards a high-aged clientele. Trying to change that optic, Honda came out with something completely new called "Keen Edge Dynamics", a new design philosophy.

The model to benefit from the "Keen Edge Dynamics" was the new Civic, already a massive success, especially with younger buyers. The next vehicle to be “reinvented” in Honda’s new dynamic spirit is the Accord, their medium sedan. A first glimpse of how a future Honda sedan might look like in the context of their design revolution was the Sports 4 concept.

Presented in 2005 at the Tokyo International Motor Show, the Sports 4 is a rather compact sports-sedan with four-wheel drive and a new concept of passenger involvement. Some of the design details featured on the Sports 4 give us an impression of where the design of the next Honda sports sedans is headed.

Our artist has prepared for you a couple of illustrations depicting the new Honda Accord. The proportions are similar to those of the current Accord, but all dimensions have increased a bit, allowing for benefits in terms of interior space. In comparison with the Sports 4 concept, that was rather compact, the new Accord will be larger and roomier. It will offer three seats in the rear, and not two as the concept was.

The exterior design contrasts sharp lines with generous surfaces in a low center-of-gravity, low-inertia body. The result is a sports car design that combines sharpness with elegance.

The power plants available for the new Accord are not likely to change much, as this one of the strong points of the Japanese manufacturer, Honda being one the best engine developer in the world. Aside from a four wheel, double-wishbone suspension is expected to continue the best traditions of Honda's sports cars to deliver exceptional road-holding ability.

It very likely that Honda will offer a new four-wheel drive unit for the Accord. This SH-AWD system will distribute torque between the front and rear wheels within a range of 70:30 and 30:70 in accordance with driver input and driving conditions, while at the same time controlling torque distribution to the two rear wheels within a range of 100:0 and 0:100. The system will continuously vary torque distribution to all four wheels to maintain optimal traction in all conditions, achieving superior driving stability, and handling that responds faithfully to the driver's command.

A first show of the new Honda Accord is expected for as soon as 2008, the model year tag more probably to be used being that of 2009. Prices are expected to start at $21,000.

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History

The Honda Accord has long been Honda’s best selling vehicle, continually winning high praise and numerous awards year after year. While the current Accord is more luxurious than ever, it has stayed true to its original mission as a practical automobile that combines economy and value with sporty style and spirited performance.

In the 2006 model year, the entire Accord line-up was improved with a significant minor model change including interior and exterior improvements, as well as engines that are more powerful. For 2007, a new Special Edition sedan makes debuts with a long list of popular features. The Accord Special Edition V6 Sedan provides a high-value feature package with 17-inch Alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, steering wheel audio controls, 6-disc CD changer, and an anti-theft alarm system. As with previous Special Edition trim levels, these added features represent a significant value without a significantly increased price. In addition, like all V6 Accords, the V6 Special Edition is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)) as standard equipment.

"The new Accord SE V6 Sedan adds an all-new, ’just right’ trim level to the Accord line-up," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The popular features represent a great value to Honda customers."

Honda offers a wider array of Accords than ever before. In addition to the innovative Accord Hybrid, the Accord is available in various trim levels of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Coupes and Sedans. All 4-cylinder models come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission and are available with a smooth shifting 5-speed automatic transmission. Accord V6 models are equipped with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission, while the Accord EX V6 Sedan and Coupe are available with a sporty, short-throw 6-speed manual transmission.

Click here to read more on the 2007 model year Honda Accord.

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Competition

The MAZDA 6 is one of the hottest mid-sized sports sedans on the market, not to mention one of the most affordable. Strong performance, terrific handling and great style have made it a favorite with consumers seeking both space and sportiness.

The exterior design is now sharper and even sportier, while the cabin is more comfortable with even higher levels of artisanship. Mechanically, the V6 engine is more tractable and economical, while a new five-speed automatic transmission on the four-cylinder model delivers better performance and gas mileage. Suspension is retuned for even more dynamic handling, while new larger 18-inch wheels, for improved handling and road holding, are offered as well.

The MAZDA 6 is available in three body styles: Sports Sedan, Sport Wagon and 5-Door. It’s the most extensive line-up in the mid-size category and all three-body styles benefit from the 2006 upgrades.

“The freshening and mechanical improvements will further improve the customer’s perception of style and quality,” says Eiji Oyama, MAZDA 6 vehicle line manager for Mazda North American Operations. “The MAZDA 6’s unique competitive advantage is its sports-sedan position, and updates for 2006 further emphasize that advantage over the competition. Thanks to three different body styles, and the availability of four-cylinder and V6 engines, manual or automatic transmissions, the car that delivers the sportiest driving experience in its sector is even more desirable.”

The MAZDA 6 set new standards for performance, driver appeal and styling when it was launched three years ago. As a vehicle that married sports performance with refinement and practicality, it has proved a huge sales success and picked up more than 70 awards for automotive excellence.

A complete review of the 2006 Mazda 6 can be found here.

One of the latest additions to the medium sedan segment is the new Ford Mondeo. Featuring a fresh and sporty design Mondeo is striking and unmistakably a member of the Ford family, and takes the company’s ’kinetic design’ form language to a new level.

A comprehensive range of core body styles will be launched concurrently in the new range in early 2007, but the Ford of Europe design team chose the five-door as the appropriate model for CASINO ROYALE, while the new wagon derivative makes its debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

The new Mondeo clearly demonstrates how Ford of Europe’s ’kinetic design’ language is shaping the company’s new models. This form language will be progressively applied to future Ford vehicles in an appropriate way, depending on individual vehicle or market segment tastes.

"With the purest expression of ’kinetic design’ revealed in the Ford Isis Concept at Frankfurt 2005, we then introduced the first elements into volume production on the new S-MAX and Galaxy," Smith added, "Now, the new Mondeo takes the next major step along our journey towards a more expressive and emotional Ford range."

Immediately evident in the new model’s appearance is the distinctive front end, with its chamfered corners and the deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. Seen from above, the three-plane plan view of the frontal area is immediately obvious, and a key visual link between the new Mondeo and the 2005 Isis Concept vehicle, emphasizing their proportional relationship.

The new family face of Ford is further represented at the front end by a premium-feel, large upper grille opening, and an inverted trapezoidal grille below the license plate. Large and distinctive headlamps and lower fog lamps are a key design element, and draw the eye around the chamfered corners, neatly disguising the volume required to meet the latest pedestrian protection requirements.

Detailed information on the Ford Mondeo can be found here.