Coupe Concept Previews 2013 Honda Accord, Return Of Hybrid

By Bengt Halvorson

Bengt Halvorson

Deputy Editor BIO

Bengt Halvorson is Deputy Editor of High Gear Media's portfolio of car sites, overseeing the production of reviews, evaluating vehicles firsthand... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Smart eBike: First Ride
Going electric makes a lot of sense for the smallest city-commute vehicles—like the Smart... Read More

• #8LEADERBOARD RANK
• 2340ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 95COMMENTS POSTED

1,639 views Jan 10, 2012

Follow Bengt

Add to circle

Honda Accord Coupe Concept - 2012 Detroit Auto Show

This time around, high gas-mileage numbers are the focus of the Accord Hybrid, which will pair a stronger twin-electric-motor system with a direct-injection, 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. The hybrid system has three distinct modes of operation, including a highway mode that lets the gasoline engine run in direct-drive mode.

All Accord Hybrid models will also have plug-in capability, which allows an all-electric driving range of 10 to 15 miles in city driving, with a top speed of 62 mph. According to Honda, the battery recharges in less than four hours with a standard 120-volt household socket or 1.5 hours with a 240-volt charger.

Plug-ins or Earth Dreams

For the rest of the lineup, Honda is introducing its so-called ‘Earth Dreams’ powertrain lineup, which includes direct-injection versions of that four—making 181 horsepower—and a ‘reengineered’ SOHC 3.5-liter V-6. Transmissions will include a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, and those with the automatic will get Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology to help save fuel.

Again, the Honda Accord Coupe will have a footprint that’s several inches shorter than that of the Accord Sedan. The combination of more aggressive stance, combined with a softer upper-body appearance give the Accord Coupe Concept the look of a serious sports coupe from some angles, crossed with the flavor of a luxury touring coupe as seen through many of the fine details. Its stance is aided by the 20-inch, machine-finished five-spoke wheels, and sweeping rear lights.

Affordable active safety

Honda also plans to install several important safety features in the Accord that are currently offered only in Acura models—including new camera-based Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning systems. There’s also a camera-based LaneWatch blind-spot display, and all Accord models will get an Expanded View Driver’s Mirror like the one installed in the new 2012 Honda CR-V.

To help keep the driver, connected, entertained, and informed, Honda is also upping the Accord’s tech content. with SMS text capabilities—including a feature that reads incoming texts—and Pandora Internet Radio is full integrated.