Honda has released the first official images of the all-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe, revealing an evolutionary design progression for the mid-size two-door.

Honda says the ninth-generation Accord is the brand’s most sculpted Accord ever, with styling that is “expressive, sophisticated and premium”. Spruiking more space and luxury inside and smaller dimensions on the outside, Honda says the new design gives a sportier driving character while maintaining excellent levels of comfort for drivers and passengers.

A new grille leads to a bonnet that features multiple styling lines that are in keeping with side character lines that flow down the length of the car through the newly refreshed door handles and into the gently flared rear quarters.

The rear spoiler smoothly rises from the top of the tail-lights, sitting above a clean rear tailgate, chrome-trimmed rear bumper and oval-tipped exhausts. Optional LED daytime running lights, headlights and tail-lights also feature.

With a focus on aerodynamics and enhanced fuel efficiency, the overall sleeker shape is combined with low-drag exterior surfaces, flush-mounted windshield wipers and under-body tweaks.

Power will come in two formats: the ‘Earth Dreams’ direct injection 2.4-litre four-cylinder with around 135kW and 240Nm driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and an upgraded version of Honda’s staple 3.5-lire V6 tied to both six-speed automatic and manual transmissions.

The new coupe shows Honda’s commitment to fresh design as it almost mirrors the Honda Accord Coupe concept car seen at the Detroit motor show in January.

The new Honda Accord Coupe heads into US showrooms later this year but will not reach Australian shores, leaving the all-new 2013 Honda Accord sedan to take centre stage when it lands in mid-2013.