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2018 Honda Accord revealed: 10th-gen sedan brings turbo power and more tech

The new-generation 2018 Honda Accord has been revealed in Detroit overnight, bringing turbo performance, more technology, and a 10-speed automatic transmission.


As we've seen in camouflaged pre-production prototypes and teaser sketches, the latest Accord has a faster roofline and a sportier look than previous generations.

Thanks to its longer rear overhang, the new Accord doesn't quite have the same fastback-style rear as the latest Civic sedan. It does have a chrome brow grille and side window treatment similar to the smaller car's.

Now in its tenth iteration, the Honda Accord has been updated with a new chassis design, a more rigid body structure, and a suite of driver assistance and connected technologies to bring the Japanese sedan in line with newer competitors. The new body structure helps the sedan to shed between 110 and 176 pounds (50-100kg).

Compared to the current car, the new Accord is lower, wider and shorter, while the wheelbase has been stretched by a significant 54 millimeters - making one of the most spacious vehicles in the class more accommodating again.

Luggage capacity has also been increased by around 28 litres for petrol models and by 90L for the hybrid.

Inside, the new Accord features a new three-tier dashboard design, with soft-touch materials used throughout.

A sportier steering wheel design and the availability of paddle shifters help to reinforce the new Accord's more dynamic intentions, while a new 7.0-inch TFT driver's display replaces some of the traditional dials.

The new 8.0-inch central infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and access to HondaLink connected services - which includes emergency roadside assistance, remote locking/unlocking, stolen vehicle tracking, diagnostics, and remote engine start.

Higher-spec models also get a new configurable 6.0-inch head-up display (HUD), which can display speed, engine rpm, navigation, and traffic sign recognition. Other available features include wireless smartphone charging, near-field communication (NFC) technology, 4G LTE in-car WiFi, and over-the-air system updates.

Audio systems ranging from four speakers to 10 keep the beats pumping, while bluetooth streaming and USB ports keep media devices connected and, for the latter, charged.

Rear passengers are treated to almost two inches (25mm) of extra legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase, with Honda claiming the new Accord's cabin offer class-leading room all round.

The biggest changes, however, reside under the bonnet. Instead of the naturally-aspirated four-cylinder and V6 petrol engines offered in generations past, the Accord is now only available with turbocharged petrol engines in the regular range, while the petrol-electric hybrid model has been revised for the tenth-generation sedan.

Kicking off the non-hybrid range is a 1.5-litre turbo four which replaces the previous 2.4-litre atmo unit. Developing 143kW (192hp) of power and 260Nm of torque - the latter available between 1500 and 5000 rpm - the new engine is more powerful and torquier than the outgoing 129kW/225Nm 2.4-litre petrol.

A six-speed manual or continuously-variable transmissions (CVT) are available with the entry-level powerplant, which is similar to the one used in the smaller Civic, and the new CR-V.

Next up is a larger 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which takes the place of the previous 3.5-litre V6. Paired to either a six-speed manual or a new 10-speed automatic transmission, the new engine is pretty much a detuned version of the one used in the Honda Civic Type R - as previously reported.

Despite being slightly down on power at 188kW (252hp), compared to the V6's 206kW, the turbocharged unit develops slightly more torque than its forebear, rated at 370Nm between 1500 and 4000rpm as opposed to the current V6's 339Nm at 4900rpm.

Finally, the Accord Hybrid utilises a 2.0-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine paired with an electric motor. While outputs and economy figures are to be revealed closer to launch, Honda has confirmed the battery pack and control systems have been moved under the rear floor rather than the boot, which explains the significant jump in cargo capacity.

In terms of technology, the new Accord will come equipped as standard, in the US at least, with the Honda Sensing safety and driver assistance technology suite.

These systems include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, road departure assist, adaptive cruise control with 'low-speed follow', and traffic sign recognition.

Also available are blind spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, driver awareness monitor, and a multi-angle rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines.

The 2018 Honda Accord range will produced at Honda's Marysville facility in Ohio, at least for the US market. It's likely that Australian models will continue to be sourced from Thailand.

Australia

Honda's local arm has told CarAdvice it cannot confirm timing for the new Accord in Australia, nor any other details at this stage.

For now, we'll have to sit tight. Stay tuned.

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