Come 2008 and one may get to drive in the eighth generation Honda Accord with Honda Motor Co all set to replace the existing seventh generation, which made a debut in the Indian market five years back. Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) , would showcase the 2008 Accord at the upcoming Auto Show to be held in January.
?We will showcase the eighth generation Accord at the Auto Show 2008 along with our concept car Jazz and the F1 car,? the company?s spokesperson said. Industry sources said that the auto major is likely to launch the new 2008 Accord during the second half of next year.
Overall, the 2008 Accord sedan is expected to be 3.0 inches longer than the existing 2007 Accord and will be powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine as against the 2.4 litre i-VTEC engine and the 3.0-litre V6 engine present in the existing models. The new Accord would also come with a higher price tag ranging between Rs 17 lakh to Rs 19 lakh as against the existing Accord which is priced between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 17 lakh. Thanks to the advance research and development (R&D) that has gone into the making of a more powerful engine ever offered in a Honda car.
However, one thing that is likely to remain the same as the existing Accord is the availability. The 2008 Accord is likely to be sold in India as a completely knock down (CKD) unit, to be assembled at the company?s existing plant in Greater Noida.
At a time when the existing Accord is already leading the premium car segment in India with 1,742 units sold during April-October 2007-08, the 2008 Accord is set to give a tough ride to its peers that include the likes of Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Superb or Toyota Camry.