All new Honda Accord is here and here’s what’s new in this 10th-generation avatar

Honda’s international work-horse, the Accord has returned in its 10th generation showing it off recently on the interwebs. It’s amazing how Honda has managed to keep a good thing going since 1976! And it’s matured like a fine wine. The Accord steps away from the more angular sharp lines and gets filled out with some curves, additionally, Honda has ditched the existing powertrains, and gone for all new turbo petrol instead of the regular naturally aspirated one. The insides get a proper rework as well, with a barrage of new gadgets. It’s interesting that Honda has spoken openly about dropping the coupe’ edition and keeping the estate but have not mentioned anything about whether it will be available in the Hybrid version as well. Probably to compensate for the smaller more efficient engines under the bonnet, Honda has used a lightweight alloy of high strength steel shedding 50kgs in the process. What’s more is that the chassis gets a 25% bump in strength. The new Accord will also be wider than the outgoing model and will sit lower to the ground. And that’s testament to how Honda has kept the brand alive for this many years. It’s their constant reliability to reinvent the Accord while retaining its soul.

In terms of cosmetics, the Headlamps get sleeker, and the roof line slopes back down the body of the car, almost edging on a notchback, while somehow retaining a staunch saloon character. Speaking of interior upgrades the tenth-gen Honda ditches the dual-screen display for a single tablet mounted in the centre more akin to European Saloons. The interiors get some additional leg-room to thanks to the new architecture as well. Honda has gone simplistic dropping the three-panel instrument cluster that replaces the twin-pod unit along with a new plushed-up steering wheel. In terms of motors, there is a 1.5 litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, replacing the 2.4 litres in line and the 3.5 litre V6, they don’t lose out in terms of power either. Internationally the 1.5litre unit is sold with a CVT Option alongside a 6-speed manual. The 2.0 litre, on the other hand, will get a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic. There will be more in terms of driving modes as well, the new Accord will get a live toggle to sports mode. Altering the engine reflex and the suspension according to which mode is selected.

Honda says that they will bring the new Accord to the US market b y 2017. Which means that we would probably have to wait till 2019, at which point it will be brought as a CBU. Again there has been no mention of a hybrid, which is a little alarming.