Honda Accord - matching the best for the best

Honda is one leading auto manufacturer that has grown many fold in half the time which the other world leaders have taken. A company that is just 50 years old and matches the best for the best. And, it has an answer to the best - be it BMW, Mercedes Benz or the Formula 1 circuit and that too on two-wheels as well as four. It has proved that it has an answer to whatever the competition offers. Starting with a humble two-wheeler, today the company is among the recognised world leaders for cars, motorbikes, outboard engines, generators, power tillers, agricultural equipment, or even electronic equipment. Innovative instincts will not let the company idle its mind and it has tried its hand at aviation as well as humanoid robots.

With the opening up of the Indian economy, world automobile giants are now presenting here many of the variants from their show windows. One of their flagship cars, the Honda Accord, an automobile that has won many a laurel, has finally arrived. This `D' segment car, that is going to be value for money, is competition to the much-acclaimed three star `C' class Mercedes Benz on Indian roads.

Honda Siel Cars India, a company recognised for its engineering marvels and high levels of customer satisfaction, has launched the internationally successful Honda Accord in India. This is the all-new sixth generation car, most powerful in its category and the latest recent version of the Accord series introduced by Honda Motor in the world earlier this year.

The Indian car market is now in a stage of evolution where customers have been driving C - segment cars for over half a decade and are now ready to upgrade. The Honda Accord will be available in five colours including the highly attractive shades of gold and silver, through 26 Honda outlets across the country.

The wide and well-cushioned driver's seat has a unique 8-way full power adjuster and an adjustable lumbar support for enhanced driving comfort, along with a tilt-adjustable power steering. The car is exceptionally spacious with increased head, shoulder and legroom, especially for rear passengers. Sofa-style seating with generous cushioning and contoured support provide added comfort. The Accord's automatic air conditioning system is highly efficient with a significantly low cool down time. The car also comes with a high-grade audio system and CD player with an attractive graphic display and a printed antenna on the rear windshield.

A lot of storage space is provided for the driver and the passengers through overhead sun-glasses holder, double level storage under armrest, door pockets, map pockets, coin pockets and glass holders for front and rear passengers. Power windows and retractable door mirror controls are logically positioned on the door armrest for effortless access. Map lights and rear reading lights, accessory outlet and trunk access behind the rear armrest to help transport long items are the other major amenities available.

The Accord is the most powerful car in its category, embodying a 2.3- litre-in-line four-cylinder VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) engine, delivering 140 hp at 5,700 rpm, higher fuel efficiency and extremely low emissions. The VTEC engines are highly efficient. It is the world's first mechanism that makes it possible to change simultaneously the timing and the degree of lift for the engine intake and exhaust valves. The VTEC system helps achieve maximum output not only in the high rpm range but also in the low rpm range by using a 'four-valves per cylinder' mechanism. This engine has been tested on the F1 track and has bought a lot of acclaim to the company.

At low rpm, low profile cam lobes control two intake valves separately via primary and secondary rocker arms thus letting the valves remain open for a short time. This results in giving enhanced combustion efficiency and reduced emission levels of carbon dioxide. At high rpm, a hydraulic pin links these two rocker arms to the mid rocker arm. All arms are driven together by a high-profile cam lobe to lift the valves. Both the valves remain open longer, allowing superior high-speed performance. Thus, by toggling the valve settings with the help of an electronic control unit (ECU), the VTEC system allows two different combustion environments in the same engine.

This exemplary engine utilises Honda's renowned multi-point programmed fuel injection with a new 16-bit power train control module for precision fuel delivery. Engineered for quiet performance, the Accord power plant is fitted with an advanced hydraulic engine mount that minimises transmission of vibration from the engine to the body and reduces engine vibrations at all speeds. The second-order balancer system cancels vibrations that accompany camshaft motion. The Accord's new rear five-link double wishbone rear suspension is the first-of-its-kind in the world to utilise Watt linkage. While the double wishbone front suspension is designed for better ride, smoother handling and greater stability, the rear five-link suspension helps in creating a compact, space-saving layout for wider rear seats and enhanced trunk space.

The automatic variant of the car is equipped with Honda's intelligent grade logic control system for practical driving comfort. This system assists in reducing frequent gear changes during uphill and downhill driving and in high-performance situations.

The Accord meets the world's toughest governmental regulations regarding standards of safety. In a recent 'roll-over' test conducted by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S., as part of its new Car Assessment Programme, this was the only car to get a 5 star rating. The new lightweight ABS (anti-lock braking system) helps the driver stay in firm control, even on slippery surfaces. In case of an accident, omni- directional collision shielding and effective impact absorption, with dual SRS (safety restrain system) airbags provides a cushion against injury. The car offers several other active and passive safety features to ensure passenger safety such as fire retardant interiors, exceptionally brilliant headlights and crumple zones and the company's motto is `First Man then Machine'.

The Accord was declared the "Car of the Year" by Motor Fan Magazine, within the first year of its introduction in 1976. In December 1985, it was named '1985-86 Japan Car of the year'.

The price of the car in Delhi is Rs. 14.95 lakhs for a standard car with manual transmission and Rs. 15.75 lakhs with automatic transmission.

Tutu Dhawan

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