Honda’s Euro Focus at Frankfurt

With the new European Accord due for its UK release by mid-2008, Honda's presence at the Motor Show in Frankfurt was largely based on promoting their focus on the European market.

When the new European Accord debuts it will be one of the first cars to offer an entirely Euro 5-compliant engine line-up.

Two petrol engines of 2.0 and 2.4-litre capacities and a 2.2-litre diesel engine mirror those in the current European Accord range, but power output will be boosted and emissions and fuel economy significantly improved.

Whilst the Accord Tourer Concept was created merely to test the waters, the production Accord Euro as it is known in Australia will debut at the 2008 Motor Show in Geneva in both saloon and tourer form.

Details of the Australian specification Accord Euro range will be announced closer to the launch date, expected to be in mid to late 2008.

Honda also showcased their ground-breaking ‘greener’ technologies, focusing on their petrol-electric hybrid models.

The Small Hybrid Sports Concept, developed at Honda R&D Europe’s design studio based in Offenbach , Germany , explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact, but still deliver the exciting drive that is expected of a compact sports car.

Honda's most revolutionary design is the Honda FCX Concept - demonstrating their committment to alternatively fueled vehicles, the FCX utilises the latest in fuel cell technology and is a driveable example of Honda’s efforts to create a car with zero-emissions (except water that is).

A production version of the FCX Concept will go on sale in the US and Japan next year.