USDM 9G Accord reviews now appearing...

A week after its official launch, U.S. reviews of the USDM 9Gen Accord are now appearing on print and around the internet. Unlike the 9Gen Civic, reviews of this new Accord are generally very good to excellent, underlining the fact that Honda have made another great effort for this perennial best seller. 

For the U.S., Honda markets three versions : two variants of the 2.4l iVTEC (the new K24W engine) and the 3.5l V6 (the J35A engine), mated to 6MT, 6AT as well as a new generation CVT. All are the new generation 'Earth Dreams' (ED) powerplants. 
 

For ASEAN however, we can expect to continue getting 2.0l and 2.4l versions, hopefully of the new ED generation as well. Honda Malaysia used to sell the 3.5l V6 version, even for the current generation model but have discontinued it due to lack of sales (Honda think they can see that no-one is willing to pay 200k or more for an Accord. And yet at the same time, they are amazed when Honda fans paid 200k for a 'mere' Civic - Type-R. Sadly, Honda have never understood it over the years and looks like will still continue to not get it).
 

For the ASEAN Accord which is expected to come next year, it is not known if the 2.0l version will continue with the R20A engine. For the  2.4l version, remember that in the U.S. there are currently 2 variants of the new K24W engine, one with 185hp and one with 189hp, the difference being in the exhaust system. For ASEAN, based on what happened with the current, soon to be out-going 8Gen Accord, expect to get the lower-powered 185hp engine. For the 8Gen, I did ask Honda engineers why we get the 'lower spec' engine and they told me it's because the higher powered engine required a freer flowing exhaust system which is louder and 'does not' meet noise regulations in certain parts of Asia (I know, when I heard it, it was also astounding to me). 
 

So expect the new 9G AseanDM Accord to be featured with a 185ps 2.4l DOHC i-VTEC ED engine. Hopefully it will feature a 6AT as well though I do not expect Honda to be brave enough to launch the CVT for ASEAN. Do not hold out for any hopes for a 6MT version, I am fairly sure Honda will not be so adventurous.
 

For our own (TOV) reviews of the Accord, please go to the link http://www.vtec.net/articles/. 
 

Currently, at the time of this post, we already have the reviews for the Accord 3.5l V6 (278hp) 6MT and the Accord 2.4l Sport 6MT versions. Jeff and our U.S. reviewers are preparing the reviews for the rest of the versions. Also in the same page are the P.R photos as well as full specifications, all for the USDM specific 9Gen Accord.

New 9Gen Accord announced in the U.S.

AHM or American Honda Motors has announced the launch of the new 9th generation Accord for the USDM. This new 9Gen is significant in that it is the first Honda model to feature Honda's new 'Earth Dreams' or ED powerplant comprising a new generation of direct-injection engines and new transmissions including a CVT featuring Honda's Grades Logic Control (GLC).

The U.S. continues to get a three variant petrol engined line-up comprising two versions of the new ED 2.4l direct-injection 4-cylinder engine delivering 185 and 189hp, 5hp higher and 1hp lower than the equivalent variants on the outgoing 8th generation. However, fuel economy is significantly improved with the 2.4l ED engines delivering an EPA of up to 36mpg (highway). The USDM 3.5l V6 ED engine now delivers 278hp and delivers an EPA of up to 34mpg (highway). New 6 speed manual and 6 speed automatic transmissions complement the new CVT.

Other significant change involves the replacement of the double-wishbone front suspension with a MacPherson strut suspension though the rear suspension remains the independent multi-link. Like the new 9Gen Civic, the 9Gen Accord comes loaded with features in line with the demands of the new modern generation of car buyers, with features like blind spot mitigation camera (for the passenger side of the car), Bluetooth, USB connectivity, smart (keyless) entry and engine start/stop, and so forth.

The complete AHM press release is available on TOV at http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1091517.

For the ASEAN market, the 9Gen Accord is expected to hit our shores next year. Our version will be very similar to this USDM version though it is not known at this moment if our Accords will also receive the new generation Earth Dreams engines and transmissions.

Next gen Accord, insider infor

Someone in our TOV forums posted this in a thread. It contains some important information on the new Accord which is expected to debut early next year in the U.S. For Asia, it is expected the new Accord will debut either end of next year or early 2014. The asian Accords should be getting variants of the engines fitted to the U.S. Accords.

(On Tuesday of this week, AHM's president, Mr. Iwamura addressed all American Honda employees via teleconference. He basically talked about the difficult times Honda has been through this past year (with the earthquake and floods). Near the end of his speech, he addressed some topics that we see raised here at ToV quite often. I thought you would like to see what he said. Here is an excerpt from his talk.)


"For the Honda brand, this fall we launch the most critical model in our lineup an all-new Accord. The 2013 Accord will again be the unquestioned leader in the mid-size segment. And by the end of this year, we will introduce a minor model change of Civic. Despite the negative comments from media, Civic is the best-selling compact car over the past six months. But our goal is not only great sales, but true leadership in the compact segment. So, we pulled forward the MMC to make some key changes, including interior and exterior design refinements and ride and handling issues.

There also has been concern that Honda has lost its leadership in engine technology. But with the new Accord, we will begin to roll out our new Earth Dreams Powertrain Series over the next 3 to 4 years. This will include new direct injection engines, and a series of new transmissions that will result in both higher performance and higher fuel economy to improve our competitiveness. For example, the new CVT transmission for the next Accord will have a very sporty feeling.

Over the past 18 months, we have invested more than $1.7 billion dollars in our existing operations. That also includes adding second shifts and installing new equipment. As a result, during the next three years, we will significantly increase production volume in North America.

Importantly, in the coming years we will centralize the critical leadership role in our North American auto plants. This means our local plants will mature certain production processes and then share this know-how with Honda plants around the world. Up to now, this leadership role has been conducted in Japan. But we will challenge to do it in North America.

Finally, based on the larger S-E-D leadership role in North America, our Export Sales Division will be ramping up auto exports. This fall, we will reach the one million mark in total U.S. vehicle exports. And we will celebrate this achievement with great pride.

In short, Honda associates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are developing additional capabilities to take even greater responsibility for meeting the needs of customers in North America and around the world.


This is an exciting time to be at Honda. And I am proud and happy to be with you to lead American Honda into the future.
Thank you."

New Accord spy photos

Autoevolution website has purchased and published a set of very clear next generation Accord spy photos. Click on the link below to go to the website where you can view the photos.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/spyshots-2013-honda-accord/77782.html