Honda developed the New Accord Series to answer to societal concerns for environmental protection and safety while also providing enhanced driving pleasure through increased engine and chassis performance. Development also centered on a bold design statement with a very efficient and functional package offering high space utility within external dimensions best suited to Japanese roads. All these attributes go hand in hand with outstanding value for money.

Domestic Monthly Sales Plan (Total Accord Series): 9,000 units

Main Features

• Environmental Friendliness
  Beginning with the Honda LEV model boasting emission levels only one-tenth of those permitted by present regulations, all models in the series clear the emission standards set by the Tokyo metropolitan region's seven local governments, the three prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama and the three cities of Yokohama, Kawasaki and Chiba known as the "TMG LEV" criteria.

• Safety
  Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system, which enhances active safety of front wheel drive cars by adding slide control to anti-lock brake and traction control systems (ABS/TCS), is introduced here. All models are now equipped with standard ABS and dual SRS airbags while an optional navigation system features the world's first wandering sensing device.

• Driving Pleasure
  All the engines feature Honda's VTEC technology for high efficiency and performance. In addition to the 5-link double wishbone rear suspension, the chassis adopts such features as a new electric power steering (EPS) with variable gear ratio (VGR). Honda's Real Time 4WD is also available for the first time in the Accord series.

• High Efficiency and Functionality
  Ever since its introduction in 1976, the Accord has continuously evolved to serve as an example of harmony and accord between people, society and automobiles. Following in the steps of the previous generations, this new Accord aims at still better answering the various needs of customers around the world. To this end, a common platform was devised on which specific variations were developed to meet the widely differing needs of the Japanese, North American, European and Asian markets.

Accord SiR

Torneo SiR

Accord Wagon 2.3 VTL

Technical Features
(Note: * denotes sedan only, ** wagon only, *** sedan and wagon)

1) Engine line-up

*2.0-liter DOHC VTEC
Available in Accord and Torneo SiR sedans with automatic transmission, the newly designed high performance engine produces 180ps. When matched with a manual transmission as on the Accord and Torneo SiR-T sedans, this same engine is further tuned to produce 200ps.

* 2.0-liter VTEC
The VTEC mechanism in this engine only actuates one of the two intake valves at low-to-medium engine speeds for reduced fuel consumption at everyday driving speeds. At higher engine revolutions, both valves are actuated for added power. This engine is available in the Accord and Torneo in 2.0 VTS and 2.0 VTS 4WD grades.

** 2.3-liter VTEC
In view of how station wagons are used, this engine was given additional engine capacity and improved intake efficiency to produce generous amounts of torque at all engine speeds. The VTEC mechanism in this engine only actuates one of the two intake valves at low-to-medium engine speeds for reduced fuel consumption at everyday driving speeds while both valves are actuated for added power at higher engine revolutions. This engine is standard on all Wagon models.

* 1.8-liter VTEC
To the variable intake valve operation allowed by the VTEC mechanism already described above, this engine adds high-swirl combustion and air-assist mechanism to dramatically reduce both fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions while achieving high power output. This engine is available in the Accord and Torneo 1.8 VTS.

* 2.0-liter VTEC LEV
This engine is a further development of the base 2.0-liter VTEC engine, adopting a 600-cell catalytic converter for outstanding exhaust gas processing performance and a low heat mass pressed exhaust manifold for reduced exhaust heat loss through radiation. These and other measures combine to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to one-tenth of present regulation requirements.

Engine Line-up Summary:

2) Transmission

*** 7-position electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission
This 4-speed automatic transmission (Prosmatec) is tuned to provide both sporty response and smooth shifts. Direct control over the clutch pressure helps reduce shift shock for smoother acceleration. The Accord and Torneo SiR as well as all Accord Wagon versions are further equipped with S-matic transmissions which allow selection between fully automatic and sequential modes to suit driving conditions.

* 5-speed manual transmission
Reduced synchromesh load and shorter shift stroke help provide a sportier shift feel. The Accord and Torneo SiR-T have intentionally been exclusively equipped with this manual transmission which is also available on 2.0 VTS and 1.8 VTS versions of the Accord and Torneo.

3) 4 Wheel Drive

*** Dual Pump Realtime 4WD system
Power is supplied to the rear wheels only when needed. This simple, substantially lighter system helps combine driving pleasure, tenacious road-holding along with good fuel economy.

4) Suspension

*** New 5-Link Double Wishbone Rear Suspension
This new double wishbone suspension adopts a multi-link arrangement composed of five straight arms. Two arms, one trailing, the other leading, are aligned into a Watt link for greatly improved harshness characteristics. Reduced straight line toe angle and increased toe-in effect under cornering and braking conditions are achieved. As a result, handling stability and ride comfort have been significantly improved.

*** Double Wishbone Front Suspension
While maintaining the original layout, details have been refined. A lowered roll center height has allowed an increase in tire contact area during turns, thus controlling the tendency to understeer while giving a better feel around curves.

5) New rear suspension module

*** High-rigidity rear sub-frame
By allowing a precise location of the suspension arms, the rear sub-frame contributes to steering stability, reduced noise, and greater ride comfort. The fuel tank is positioned inside the sub-frame assembly for a major increase in production efficiency.

6) Brakes

*** Four-wheel disc brakes
Four-wheel disk brakes are standard on all models. In addition to ventilated front disk brakes, the 2.0-liter versions of the Accord and Torneo sedan, and all versions of the Accord Wagon feature large diameter rear disks.

7) Steering

*** EPS provides steering assistance through a co-axial electric motor. A micro-processor determines according to vehicle speed and driving conditions the amount of steering assistance required at any given moment. The change to an electric-powered motor allows for reduced fuel consumption while the variable gear ratio quickens the steering ratio as the wheel is turned farther from the straight ahead position.

The EPS can be programmed to offer differing steering characteristics. In addition to the normal mode, plus and minus modes are available for respectively heavier and lighter steering efforts. Selection is done via a selector switch on the instrument panel.

*** New magnesium alloy steering wheel
Lighter than aluminum, the magnesium steering wheel is a single unit diecast comprising the outer ring, spokes and hub plate. In addition to a significant reduction in weight, this enhances road information coming through the steering.

*** Membrane horn switch
The installation of an SRS airbag required a repositioning of the horn button on the steering wheel spokes. With the adoption of a membrane type horn switch, we have been able to put the horn button back on the center of the pad.

8) Body

*** High-rigidity body structure
Advanced simulation and research has helped optimize the thickness, shape and structure of the body. In the case of the sedan, bending rigidity has increased 66%, while torsional rigidity has gone up by 25%.

*** Reduced noise and vibrations
Anti-vibration and sound-deadening material fitted at selected points in the floor and other areas has reduced engine and road noise. Careful attention to details, such as the fitting of foam into roof pillars, sound-absorbent material in the door lining, and so on, have resulted in reduced cabin noise.

Safety

* The first domestically produced FF car featuring Vehicle Stability Assist (standard on Accord and Torneo SiR models)
This Vehicle Stability Assist system enhances active safety by adding slide control to already existing ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)and TCS (Traction Control System) systems.

• Oversteer control: by braking the outer front wheel, an outward moment is generated. The cornering force at the front is thus reduced, decreasing the spin generating moment and stabilizing vehicle behavior.
• Understeer control when cornering under power: when the car's cornering line widens under excessive throttle application, the system intervenes to reduce engine torque and, if necessary, by braking the inside front wheel. This creates an inward moment helping the car trace the line originally intended by the driver.
• Standing start slip control: when accelerating on a split surface with different grip coefficients, by braking the wheel with the lowest grip, greater torque can be provided to the wheel with the higher grip, ensuring quick, powerful acceleration.
• Braking control under cornering: when high cornering forces are detected, ABS automatically switches to the 4-channel mode (3-channel mode when in a straight line or when cornering at low speed). Taking advantage of the weight transfer during cornering, the system applies a higher brake pressure on the outer rear wheel, improving braking performance.

*** World's first Wandering Sensing Device to detect abnormal driving (available as a factory installed option throughout the series)
The loss of concentration prior to sleepiness at the wheel can be detected by the wandering pattern found in the vehicle's travel. The system introduced today relies on advanced navigation technology to detect this driving pattern and warn the driver through visual and audible alarms. It is however important to note that this device only analyses the vehicle's behavior, and does not directly sense sleepiness at the wheel.The wandering sensing device determines the vehicle's travel route using the information provided by the speed and gyro sensors of the navigation system. From the actual travel route, the system determines a theoretical, standard travel route which is then used to measure the amount of wandering.

*** New High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights (standard on 2.0-liter Accord and Torneo models and all Accord Wagon models)
Gas discharge type bulbs give a high intensity beam illuminating a wider area for greater driving comfort at night.

*** Other active safety devices

• Standard 4-channel ABS
• Standard high-mount third brake lamp
• Torque-sensitive Limited Slip Differential (LSD) standard on Accord and Torneo SiR models.

2) Passive Safety

*** Omni-directional impact safety body design
Through repeated testing simulating frontal, rear, side and offset collisions, Honda has sought to both increase body rigidity and devise a more effective impact-absorbing construction. Crushable zones have been built into the front and rear areas. On the sides, reinforcements of the pillars, side sills, roof frame, doors and other parts have helped in the design of a safer omni-directional body.

*** Direct-clamp ELR seatbelts with new load limiting mechanism (front seats)
In the event of a collision, the seatbelt initially locks upon impact before unreeling slightly if seatbelt load exceeds a pre-determined level.

*** Other standard passive safety devices

• Dual SRS airbag system
• Door beams and impact absorbing door pads
• Fire-retardant interior materials

High efficiency, high functionality

** Wagon package
Starting from the sedan body, the wagon was given a wider tread for a sedan-like handling with the interior space of a wagon.
As in the sedan, a low hood and expansive glass area provide improved visibility all round while the car's minimum turning radius has been reduced to 5.5 meters for increased maneuverability.
Head clearance, knee room and legroom have also been expanded to provide the comfort of a full size car. A generous trunk designed for easy loading-unloading rounds out a generous interior package.
The cargo area has been designed to add a number of original touches:

• Removable rear shelf + roll type tonneau cover
• Opening giving access to cargo area from rear seat
• Cargo net to keep small luggage in place in the trunk
• Folding-type floor lid to adjust floor height between two settings (two-way cargo floor)
• Large sub-trunk beneath floor
• Convenient water-proof finish
• Floor side-box
• Optional built-in CD changer (in shelf-side box)
• Convenient "cargo-side box" (for car beauty chemicals etc.)
• Cargo space: from 374 liters VDA with hard shelf to 805 liters VDA with rear seats folded down