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10th generation Honda Accord

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At long last, the 10th generation Honda Accord has arrived in Malaysian showrooms. Although the new generation first went on sale in October 2017 (in the US market), it was only in March last year that the ASEAN version was launched in Thailand, followed by Indonesia. Malaysia, in spite of the diminished D-segment market, still continues to assemble the flagship model, which has been the case since the first generation in the late 1970s.

With the D-segment smaller in size here (prompting Edaran Tan Chong Motor to stop selling its Nissan Teana), Honda Malaysia plans to sell only 200 units a month – and that too is felt to be on the high side. We don’t have the sales figures for last year (as the powerful Competition Commission won’t allow the public to know) but the production numbers totalled less than 1,000 units with an average of 77 units/month.

Nevertheless, the Accord is popular in markets like America (where it has been the overall bestselling passenger car) and so there is still enthusiasm in product development. And since the third (current) Jazz generation that appeared in 2014, Honda’s styling has become more and more aggressive and sporty, with the Accord now also following the same themes.

10th Generation Honda Accord

Some may regard the new styling, with a coupe-like rear end, as being too radical a change for a model in this upper segment. After all, cars like the Accord have usually been driven by older people with more senior positions in the corporate world. These are people who may have conservative tastes and the new looks might not go down well.

But Honda has always been a maverick in the car industry and daring enough to embark in new directions. The older management may have their conservative views but it appears that they are also open to evolving trends and willing to trust their younger designers to head in the right direction.

10th Generation Honda Accord Prices and Colours

Comparing the latest 10th generation to the first one that started off as a hatchback in 1976 is like comparing day and night. The differences are so great that it’s hard to believe they share the same nameplate. The first generation sedan was 4.45 metres long and today’s Accord is 500 mm longer, with a wheelbase that is almost similarly longer with the 55 mm increase for the 10th generation. It’s also heavier – that first Accord weighed just 965 kgs whereas the 2020 one is almost 1,500 kgs.

Honda 1,5-litre VTEC Turbo engine

Powertrains have greatly changed too. Until this generation, the smallest engine for the Accord was the 1.6-litre unit used in the early generations. But in this age of downsizing, small is better and so the new Accord gets its smallest engine ever – the 1.5-litre turbocharged Earth Dreams Technology engine.

It’s a bold move to have such a small displacement engine for such a big car although European motorists are fine with it. Malaysians still think of cc as being indicators of output and performance and we won’t be surprised if salesmen are asked ‘Can go up Genting Highlands or not?’, referring to the hill resort area with steep slopes. Younger customers may already accept and understand that with turbocharging, the output can be boosted and performance can be much higher.

10th Generation Honda Accord

In fact, the new Accord’s engine (with VTEC) develops 201 ps/260 Nm, considerably more powerful than the 2.4-litre engine. And apart from all that extra output is the fact that, along with the assistance of the CVT, fuel consumption will be lower and you also pay much less roadtax.

The Accord range in America has the additional option of a bigger 2-litre (K20) engine as well as a hybrid variant (also available in Thailand) but for the Malaysian market, it is banking on the 1.5-litre turbo engine only. Understandably, with the low volumes, it would make no sense to assemble two different engine variants and in any case, the other variants would cost more.

As an all-new generation, the latest Accord is essentially a clean-sheet development meaning it started almost more scratch rather than having a structural carry-over. The platform is new to accommodate the largest bodyshell the model has ever had. It is now 4901 mm long (+39 mm), 1862 mm wide (+13 mm) and though it looks low-slung because of the sleek profile, the roof is actually 16 mm higher. A 54 mm increase in the wheelbase extends it to 2830 mm, with 48 mm more rear legroom as a result of that increase.

10th Generation Honda Accord

During the development of the new Accord, the engineers worked hard at bringing down NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) as this influences the perception of quality and refinement. Spray foam helps to lower noise while High-Performance Adhesive enhances rigidity which improves durability. Laser brazing is used to join the roof and body side panels, and Honda Malaysia’s factory in Melaka had to agree to make the necessary investment for equipment to do this process before Honda was willing to allow the model to continue to be assembled here.

ASEAN NCAP

Having been launched almost a year ago in Thailand meant that ASEAN NCAP could evaluate the new Accord and not unexpectedly, it got the maximum 5-star rating. Passive safety apart, the new Accord also has an impressive list of active safety systems and features that will help the driver to avoid accidents or reduce the effects of accidents on the occupants.

Much of this is provided by the Honda SENSING system, an integrated package of systems with 8 components. These are Low Speed Follow, Auto High-Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Departure Warning. Most of the systems rely on information from a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen and a millimetre-wave radar in the grille.

Honda SENSING

With Adaptive Cruise Control (which can operate down to 0 km/h) and the Collision Mitigation Braking System that will automatically apply the brakes, drivers can have an early experience of autonomous motoring as these systems are managed by a computer without involvement of a human.

Additionally, there’s the Honda LaneWatch system, an innovative idea which uses a small camera in the left door mirror to capture real-time images of that side of the car. The image is displayed on the screen in the middle of the dashboard, which the driver can see more easily than having to swivel the head to the left. Also providing additional visual coverage is a Multi-View Camera System.

Honda Accord

Parking the car is made easier with Smart Parking Assist System with Brake Assist (Rear) that recognises the border line of the parking space and assists the driver with automatic steering assist, screen display, voice guidance and auto braking.

As with other Hondas currently in showrooms, the new Accord’s interior was packaged with the ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ approach. Being the flagship model, it comes with a comprehensive list of premium features that include 4-way Assistant Power Seat with Shoulder Switch, and Wireless Charging.

10th Generation Honda Accord

10th Generation Honda Accord

The instrument panel and dashboard have elements of the previous generation but enhanced with more premium and fresher looks. For example, there is a bright and clear 8-inch Advanced Display at the centre console and a 7-inch Interactive Thin Film Transistor (TFT) meter cluster.

10th Generation Honda Accord

As with the latest Civic, the new Accord also comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and free labour service (terms and conditions apply). It is now available for viewing and test-drives at authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. To locate a showroom near you, visit www.honda.com.my.

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The 10th generation Honda Accord is finally coming to Malaysia and will be launched before the end of March 2020. Announcing this today, Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) said that bookings for its all-new flagship model can be made at 100 authorised dealerships nationwide from today.

Prices have not been revealed nor the variants available. The current generation, launched in September 2013, has two variants priced at 147,733.50 (2 litres) and RM167,862.00 (2.4 litres). HMSB says over 32,500 units of the 9th generation have been sold and it has maintained its position as segment leader.

While the full specifications are not available yet, HMSB’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, revealed that the new Accord will have an enhanced turbocharged engine. “The much-anticipated All-New Accord is set to move the yardstick for next-generation sedans and further excite the market and segment. Honda is the only Japanese mass market manufacturer to introduce the powerful engine in the D-segment,” he said.

2020 10TH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD

1.5 more powerful than 2.4
This would be the 1.5-litre VTEC engine and it would be the smallest engine ever offered in the Accord since the model line was added to Honda’s range in 1976. The earliest generations (up to the third generation) had 1.6-litre engines before the model began using engines with larger displacements as its size grew.

In the 21st century, displacement is no longer an indicator of performance and with turbocharging, the new Accord’s engine can produce maximum power of 201 ps/260 Nm – more powerful than the 2.4-litre engine! While the turbocharger gives stronger acceleration, the smaller displacement means better fuel efficiency and you also pay less roadtax each year.

1976 Honda Accord
The Accord line started with a hatchback in 1976 and 1.6-litres was the smallest engine size for the first three generations.

2020 10TH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD

2020 10TH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD

The design of the new Accord is described as a ‘revolutionary design incorporating fastback styling’. It has a wider stance, coupled with lower bonnet height as well as lower and longer roofline. At the front and rear are stylish full LED headlights and taillights. There’s a Twin Tailpipe Chrome Finisher and newly-designed 18-inch alloy wheels.

2020 10TH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD

2020 10TH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD

Complete Honda SENSING system
In line with HMSB’s aim of providing Next Generation Advanced Technology, the new Accord will have more advanced safety features. The 10th generation will come with the complete Honda SENSING system that has three categories and eight features:

Driver Cruising Aids – Adaptive Cruise Control, Low Speed Follow, Auto High-Beam

Frontal Collision Deterrence – Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System

Side Collision Deterrence – Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning

In addition to the Honda SENSING package, there will also be Smart Parking Assist System with Brake Assist (Rear), a Multi View Camera System and Honda LaneWatch which uses a camera on the left door mirror to give the driver an image of the blind spot along the side of the car.

2020 10TH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD

Visit www.honda.com.my to locate an authorised dealer anywhere in Malaysia.

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