As expected, the ninth generation Accord was
re-launched at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016 with petrol and hybrid powertrains. The
2016 Honda Accord gets styling revisions everywhere to reassure its sharpness,
sportiness and aggressiveness. The major styling changes include newly designed
front fascia with a sharper cluster and sleeker headlights alongside LED tail
lights and fog lamps.
The new model boasts more space and come with lot of
technologies inside. Offered initially via CBU (Completely Built-up Unit) route
and available at selected dealerships across India. The hybrid powertrain
should help in getting more customers lean towards the Accord but the pricing
seems to have gotten higher than we all would anticipate.
The pricing of the 2016 Honda Accord Hybrid has
taken many by surprise. For the single petrol-hybrid variant the asking price
is a whopping Rs. 51.08 lakh (on-road Bengaluru). The ex-showroom prices are
quoted at Rs.37 lakh (New Delhi), Rs. 40.14 lakh (Navi Mumbai) and Rs. 40.57
lakh (Bengaluru). Just the ex-showroom prices will indicate that the ninth
generation Accord Hybrid is over Rs. 6 lakh costlier than the popular Camry
Hybrid.
The Honda Accord is offered with a Sport Hybrid
i-MMD (Intelligent Multi Mode Drive) system. It comprises of a 2.0-litre,
Atkinson Cycle, four-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, i-VTEC petrol engine developing
a power output of 145 PS at 6,200 rpm and 175 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm.
The 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack has dual electric motors capable of
producing a peak output of 184 PS between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm and 315 Nm torque
instantaneously. Power is delivered to the wheels via E-CVT automatic gearbox
with steering mounted paddle shifters.
Honda claims the resultant engine tuning has led to
creating excellent power characteristics, lowered emission and better fuel
economy rated at 23.1 km/l. The IC gasoline engine operates only when needed and
therefore the total system power output is 215 PS. Assessing the battery charge
and other parameters, the IC engine shuts down automatically during
deceleration and when the vehicle is at stop or working under pure battery
power.
Inside, the new Honda Accord features dual
touchscreen system stacked one above the other. The upper touchscreen is a
7-inch system with audio and smartphone integration including Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto support whilst the lower one is a 0.7-inch bigger screen that is
used for accessing information about the car. Other features included are 60:40
split folding rear seats which come with heating option and wipers that can
automatically sense rain.
The safety features new Honda Accord is expected to
come with are Six Airbags, ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body
structure, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, Rain Sensing Wiper,
Emergency Stop Signal, Hydrophilic Outside Mirror, Auto High Beam, Adaptive
Cruise Control, Collision and Road Departure Mitigation systems, Forward
Collision Warning, parking sensors front and rear, Lane Assist and Departure
Warning systems as well as Rear view multi-angle camera among others.