2013 Accord gets a sport trim, CVT and 6-speed auto

[adrew]

VTEC.net is reporting that the new Accord will have a 6-speed manual or CVT on the 4-cylinder cars and a 6-speed manual (only on the coupe) or 6-speed automatic on the V6s.

There is also a new 4-cylinder "sport" trim slotted in between the LX and EX with your choice of CVT or 6-speed manual.

Manual trans is still available on the LX, EX and "Sport" trims as well as the EX-L V6 coupe.

http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1062301

[dieselraver]

meh. as long as I can hit vtak yo.

[2.0T_Convert]

No SE model for the sedan. Sport is most likely just a step between LX and EX offering the pretty alloy wheels and exhaust tops and a few other features from the EX.

[AQ]

Looks like "Touring" will be the new top-of-the-line trim level for the sedan.

While we're on the subject of Accords, I gotta wonder why one would buy a base Acura ILX instead of a 2012 Accord EX sedan. Their prices are within a few hundred dollars of each other.

[AQ]

No SE model for the sedan. Sport is most likely just a step between LX and EX offering the pretty alloy wheels and exhaust tops and a few other features from the EX.

Honda usually introduces the Accord SE during the last 1-2 years of its generation cycle.

[someguy123]

No HIDs/LEDs, no care!

[Lwize]

No SE model for the sedan.

Honda has saved SE models for the final model year of a generation.

Nice to see Honda still offer unpopular manual transmissions. Hopefully, they've reduced the rev-hang present in the 2012's.

[gonzo08452]

Will there be a 2013 TSX? Or is the ILX taking over?

[mac dre]

Looks like "Touring" will be the new top-of-the-line trim level for the sedan.

While we're on the subject of Accords, I gotta wonder why one would buy a base Acura ILX instead of a 2012 Accord EX sedan. Their prices are within a few hundred dollars of each other.

Simple, an Accord has much more of a "family-sedan" stigma attached to it. The ideal ILX buyer will not need that big of a car and probably want something a little more fresh and hip.

[clutchrider]

No HIDs/LEDs, no care!

That's what they have Acura for.

[Mike!]

Looks like "Touring" will be the new top-of-the-line trim level for the sedan.

While we're on the subject of Accords, I gotta wonder why one would buy a base Acura ILX instead of a 2012 Accord EX sedan. Their prices are within a few hundred dollars of each other.

I can think of one reason:



but hopefully they've fixed the ugly for 2013.

[2.0T_Convert]

but hopefully they've fixed the ugly for 2013.

I wish for a whole new platform but I'm betting on just a refreshed TSX with Honda badges and DI engines.

[Avus]

I can see Honda still think people should a premium for an automatic transmission more than 5 speed.

[Yo Teach]

I wish for a whole new platform but I'm betting on just a refreshed TSX with Honda badges and DI engines.

That's going to be too small for American consumption. "But they sell the TSX here," one might say, however the TSX is not in a segment as important as midsize sedans. Plus, an upper-level Accord is not too far removed from TSX prices, so Honda needs that size difference to provide more differentiation.

[gti5dr06]

I can see Honda still think people should a premium for an automatic transmission more than 5 speed.

not really, that was only with the odyssey. It looks like 6at's across the line for V6, and CVT for I4 when looking at auto transmissions.

[Aw614]

Honda has saved SE models for the final model year of a generation.

Nice to see Honda still offer unpopular manual transmissions. Hopefully, they've reduced the rev-hang present in the 2012's.

Is the rev hang that bad to interfere with driving? I've noticed it a few times on my VW, but for daily driving it hasn't been as much of an issue.

I can see Honda still think people should a premium for an automatic transmission more than 5 speed.

I see no problem with that, vw still does the same too.

[rice is burning]

That's going to be too small for American consumption. "But they sell the TSX here," one might say, however the TSX is not in a segment as important as midsize sedans. Plus, an upper-level Accord is not too far removed from TSX prices, so Honda needs that size difference to provide more differentiation.

The TSX is just a European/Japanese Accord. The next gen Accord is going to be the same world-wide, so the TSX will basically cease to exist.

The Accord's various trim models are clearly aimed directly at the Camry. It looks to me that Honda and Toyota are in a death match with each other over the mid-sized sedan market. I don't know if they bother to pay attention to any other manufacturers.

[dieselraver]

i will be really interested if the V6 Sedan can be had with the 6MT

[IgorRGTI]

Is the 2013 a continuation of the current bodystyle? Or, will it be a new gen? If it's a new gen, any idea when we'll see it?

[rice is burning]

The V6 sedan is not getting the 6MT. That's only for the coupe.

[Swallow Doretti]

Is the 2013 a continuation of the current bodystyle? Or, will it be a new gen? If it's a new gen, any idea when we'll see it?

Coupe is just a refresh of the current gen with new bumpers and grille, plus the new powertrains and a new dash. Sedan is a new car, based off the outgoing TSX/Euro Accord.

[teklord69]

[x_GTI_x]

awesome now i can deal with the douche bags in civic Si's, corolla S and Accord S thinking they drive racecars because of a little "S" badge glued to the trunk

[Grey Mouser]

awesome now i can deal with the douche bags in civic Si's, corolla S and Accord S thinking they drive racecars because of a little "S" badge glued to the trunk

Reminds me of guys driving similarly because of GTI badges on their trunk.

[Professor Gascan]

I wish for a whole new platform but I'm betting on just a refreshed TSX with Honda badges and DI engines.

The TSX/Accord still have the best platform in the class from an enthusiast perspective, so I hope they keep it around.

[gti5dr06]

Reminds me of guys driving similarly because of GTI badges on their trunk.

you forgot to add snapback + seat lowered and pushed back to the point you can only see his head.

[Lwize]

Is the rev hang that bad to interfere with driving? I've noticed it a few times on my VW, but for daily driving it hasn't been as much of an issue.

The rev-hang throws off my shift timing, making things clumsy. I first noticed it in the Rav4 a few years ago, and thought it was me screwing things up.

The amount of "hang" varies from car to car. The 2.4 in the Accord and Civic Si have an irritating level of rev hang, as does the 2.5 in the Scion tC. The Civic 1.8 doesn't have it, or it's very minor. I didn't notice it in the Fit either.

It's been a deal-breaker in my recent car search due to the irritation. My '09 Rabbit 2.5 is free of hang (of course, it has its own quirks).

[Aw614]

The rev-hang throws off my shift timing, making things clumsy. I first noticed it in the Rav4 a few years ago, and thought it was me screwing things up.

The amount of "hang" varies from car to car. The 2.4 in the Accord and Civic Si have an irritating level of rev hang, as does the 2.5 in the Scion tC. The Civic 1.8 doesn't have it, or it's very minor. I didn't notice it in the Fit either.

It's been a deal-breaker in my recent car search due to the irritation. My '09 Rabbit 2.5 is free of hang (of course, it has its own quirks).

Oh ok, the most recent DBW honda I drove was a Civic 1.8 and I didnt notice it either, but might have been distracted with the 5% tint that was in it and the weird dash.

The accord in my household was the last year with the cable throttle

[Lifelong Obsession]

Is any hybrid planned? Then again, Honda isn't really big into hybrids, and the CR-Z/Insight/Civic hybrid system is generally considered outclassed and doesn't age well.

[joe97]

Is any hybrid planned? Then again, Honda isn't really big into hybrids, and the CR-Z/Insight/Civic hybrid system is generally considered outclassed and doesn't age well.

Doubt it. The last Accord hybrid didn't exactly do so hot and got canned after a few years.

I believe Honda still believes in hybrids, it just hasn't had a lot of success here. Then again, no one has really had a lot of success in the US hybrid cars market other than the Prius.

[x_GTI_x]

Reminds me of guys driving similarly because of GTI badges on their trunk.

well played.

I just cant stand seeing these types of drivers on the road, regardless of the make.

[jepva]

Are the engines staying exactly the same? No DI yet or increased HP, even for the V6?

[adrew]

Are the engines staying exactly the same? No DI yet or increased HP, even for the V6?

The 2.4-liter is supposed to be refreshed with their new Earth Dreams technology which includes direct injection and other enhancements (sounds similar to Mazda SkyActiv).

2.4L class engine:
Based on the DOHC and VTEC technologies, it employs VTC and direct injection technology and implements extensive friction reduction measures.
Standalone engine features 5% improvements in fuel efficiency and output as well as a 10% improvement in maximum torque compared to the previous engine.

That means it should get 35-36 MPG highway (not counting any improvements from the CVT) and bump torque to about 180 lb-ft.

It certainly looks different, with the exhaust on the front and intake on the back, which is a flip-flop of the current K-series setup.


More information here:
http://world.honda.com/news/2011/411...ogy/index.html

[dcmix5]

awesome now i can deal with the douche bags in civic Si's, corolla S and Accord S thinking they drive racecars because of a little "S" badge glued to the trunk

At least they will be able to drive over a nickel without ripping the bottom of their car off.

[jepva]

The 2.4-liter is supposed to be refreshed with their new Earth Dreams technology which includes direct injection and other enhancements (sounds similar to Mazda SkyActiv).



That means it should get 35-36 MPG highway and bump torque to about 180 lb-ft.

Ah, interesting. But I wonder why this wasn't incorporated into the new ILX with the 2.4..maybe it will be for next year. It doesn't make sense to me why the new Honda would get the newer technology but not the Acura.


Also, interesting is the plans for the 3.5L V6 with SH-AWD..looks like this will probably be one of the next TL drivetrains, very similar to what Infiniti is doing with the G35h:

5. A high-efficiency, high output electric SH-AWD hybrid system which combines superior driving and environmental performance.

A new hybrid system, electric SH-AWD, was developed for large-sized vehicles. By combining a 3.5L, V6 engine with this hybrid system, acceleration equivalent to V8 engines, as well as fuel efficiency equal or superior to in-line 4-cylinder engines were realized.