10 September 2002: Full details of the next-generation Honda Accord for Europe have been released and among the car’s attributes is a very high aerodynamic efficiency of 0.26 Cd.

The car will have curtain airbags, 2- and 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC engines, choices of 5-speed/6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions, and will have estate and diesel derivatives later.

The 2.4 models will have a Vehicle Stability Assist programme, and the car will be on sale early 2003

The 155 PS 2-litre engine delivers peak torque of 190 Nm at 4,500 rpm, and a combined cycle consumption of 37.7mpg. Maximum output of the 2.4-litre engine is 190 PS at 6,800 rpm, with torque of 220 Nm at 4,500 rpm. In combination with the new 6-speed transmission, it is capable of returning over 30mpg on the combined cycle.

While the wheelbase remains unchanged, overall dimensions are increased, with the width available to passengers being class-leading, according to Honda.

Honda also says it anticipates strong results for the Accord in the Euro NCAP crash tests, and expects that the provision of a series of pedestrian protection measures should maintain the company’s outstanding record to date in this section of the Euro NCAP tests.

To put the Cd of 0.26 into perspective, the world’s lowest drag coefficient for a production road car is the Honda Insight, which achieves a Cd of 0.25.

Built in Japan, the Accord saloon offered on sale in Europe will be similar to that on sale in Japan. The US market has a different Accord sedan built specifically in the US and tailored for the American market. Available at launch as a saloon only, the simplified line-up makes its public debut at the Paris Salon in September

The new Accord saloon is pitched firmly at the quality sector of the
D-segment which accounted for 298,000 out of a total of 951,000 saloons sold in the five largest European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) during 2001. Diesel power accounted for 61 per cent of the sector.