Honda America’s premium Acura division is again sharing the narrow-body European-market Accord.
Go deeper with GlobalData
It said on Monday the redesigned 2009 TSX sports sedan – the US name for the model – would make its debut at the 2008 New York international auto show on 19 March. Honda also announced more details of the model for Europe.
Scheduled to go on sale next spring, the second generation Acura entry level sedan features “numerous advancements in performance, styling, technology and safety”, according to the automaker.
“The new 2009 TSX speaks clearly to the direction we are taking our Acura sedans in the future,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president auto sales, “The TSX is a significant step in the advancement of our sedan line-up and the continued enhancement of the Acura brand.”
Acura unveiled the new 2009 RL (aka the Honda Legend) at the Chicago motor show last week and also announced the company will introduce a new TL performance luxury sedan later this year.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataHonda said its new European Accord line is one of the first to offer a complete engine line-up that will comply with the forthcoming Euro 5 emissions regulations which aren’t due to be introduced until September 2009.
Making its debut in the new model is a second-generation diesel engine with the latest piezoelectric multi-stage fuel injection technology, more efficient exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter. Power and torque have been increased – output is 10PS greater at 150PS/110 kW at the same 4,000 rpm, while peak torque is now 350Nm at 2,000 rpm.
The petrol two-litre i-VTEC offers similar levels of performance to its predecessor – 156 PS at 6,300 rpm – but improves its class leading fuel economy. Key changes include increased diameter intake valves, further optimised valve lift and timing and increased inlet and exhaust air flow volumes.
The 2.4-litre engine is more powerful, delivering 200PS at 7,000 rpm and peak torque of 233Nm at 4,500 rpm – up from 190PS and 223Nm. Behind the figures are a compression ratio increased from 10.5 to 11.0:1, larger diameter valves, revised valve timing, and reduced exhaust system pressures.
All three engines are matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, while both petrol engines have the option of a five-speed automatic. An automatic option for the diesel is about a year ago, according to media reports.
Manual models feature a ‘shift indicator light’ or SIL which appears in the center of the rev counter. ‘Up’ or ‘Down’ are displayed to advise the driver of the optimum point (in terms of best fuel economy) at which to change gear; Honda tests have demonstrated fuel savings of as much as 5% simply by following these commands.
A lowered centre of gravity, a wider track and the all-new front double wishbone and rear multilink suspension with variable rate dampers, plus greater body rigidity mean that the Accord more readily reacts to driver input, Honda said, claiming that handling is more responsive and confidence-inspiring and body roll is much reduced.
Speed sensitive electric power steering is standard on all models and the new axial system features a high output, low inertia brushless motor which provides excellent steering feel at higher speeds for a sense of stability and confidence. A quicker steering ratio has also been adopted in keeping with the Accord’s more agile chassis characteristics.
Vehicle stability assist (VSA) is standard across the range and is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.
The new Accord also features an innovative system in which the capabilities of both VSA and the car’s electric power steering are brought to bear. Called motion adaptive EPS, it detects instability in slippery conditions both during cornering and under braking and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed at prompting the driver to steer in the correct direction.
The input is barely noticeable and control of the steering remains with the driver at all times. But this supporting steering torque is enough to prompt the driver to act intuitively and the driver’s reaction as a result is enough to regain stability or to shorten braking distances, allowing control to be maintained.
Optionally available on some models, the advanced driving assist system (ADAS) is a suite of three technologies that raise safety to a new level in Hondas (though all have already been seen elsewhere). The first of these is the lane keeping assist system (LKAS) which uses a camera to detect the car deviating from a traffic lane and provides steering torque when necessary, thereby reducing the burden of motorway driving while at the same time enhancing safety.
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) uses a millimetre-wave radar to maintain a consistent distance to a vehicle directly in front, for more relaxed, less tiring driving.
The third ADAS system is collision mitigation brake system (CMBS) which monitors the following distance and closing rate with the car directly in front, warning the driver when a collision is likely and helping reduce impact when a collision becomes unavoidable.
These systems complement the Accord’s passive safety features which include front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, dual stage front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, full length curtain airbags and Isofix fittings and tether anchor points for secure childseat fixture on all models. There are also front seat active headrests which are triggered when the occupant is pushed into the seat in the event of a rear impact, so causing a rigid plate to activate a link to the headrest which pushes it forward to support the head.
Inside, the new Accord has ‘floating’ backlit instruments, and in the centre of the speedometer face is an LCD multi-information display showing a variety of information – controls positioned on the steering wheel allow the driver to cycle the display through multiple screens of information.
A new feature is a service reminder that presents the driver with either the distance or days remaining to a required service, with an enlarged warning symbol appearing when the due date is imminent.
Rather than a fold-down pocket design, the large glovebox now has an independent lid and is subdivided with a tissue box compartment as well as space for a manual.
In some markets, Honda sells both the US-style wide body Accord (sometimes sourced from Thailand) and the narrow-body car side by side, calling the latter Accord Euro.
