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Honda Accord Coupe soars to action with sporty new character
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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ALTON, Ill. -- On a convoluted course that hugs the Illinois bank of the Mississippi River, a prototype for Honda's slinky new coupe variation of the venerable Accord series revealed to one driver that it likes to fly down a fast lane and rip through a wiggly set of curves.
Honda casts Accord with sporty character?
Well, if the definition of sporty automotive action means soupy throttle response and an aggressive attitude when tackling tight-fisted turns, then, yes, Honda does indeed build a sporty Accord.
That news may fly in the face of conventional images of Accord, one of those best-seller labels which for years has been so homogenized in style and performance, in order to satisfy an incredibly broad band of buyer tastes, that it evolved with a nebulous, even bland, identity far removed from the sport side of performance.
But new issues of Accord, revitalized with a sixth generational platform that's bigger and better than any previous interpretation, bring athletic characteristics with the spice of a new coupe rendition which spins in a different direction from the sedan.
The new coupe looks completely different too.
Set with an assertive wedge-shaped profile that pitches nose low and tail high, the Accord coupe displays clean and strong sides and a sharp rake to the broad windshield that expresses fluidity with seamless transitions from one body part to the next in subtle monochromatic harmony.
Only shared exterior parts between sedan and coupe show up with narrow side-wrapping front headlamps and side door handles, as all sheetmetal contours and those sleek styling lines remain unique to the coupe.
Such definitive variation between coupe and sedan marks a departure from previous Accords, where a coupe simply contained two less doors than the sedan.
Segmentation of the coupe stems from influence of American designers at Honda's California development center, where the exterior styling was devised. Production occurs alongside the sedan at Honda's extensive Ohio manufacturing facility in Marysville and, while Honda markets variations of the sedan around the world, Accord's new coupe edition remains a product aimed exclusively at an American audience.
Besides articulating the coupe with specific styling, it also differs from the sedan with wheelbase abbreviated by 1.8 inches, which sets up a more agile platform. One of two new beefed-up engines drops into the coupe -- including the coupe's first V6 -- and the chassis was strengthened to improve performance and enhance overall ride quality.
On the inside, the passenger compartment measures longer and wider and taller. It promotes true mid-size interior dimensions and provides seats for five adults.
A chance to test the new sporty nature of Accord's coupe occurred recently on a traffic-free autocross course outlined by orange plastic cones arranged in serpentine circuit on the asphalt lot at Gateway International Raceway, tucked across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
This route had all of the right ingredients: Quick-cut corners, broad sweeping bends, tricky chicane swerves and, linking curves together, a few straight stretches for speed.
At a starter's signal, drop the clutch and pounce on throttle to build speed for the first right corner, which precedes the need to shift to second gear, so cut the steering wheel and trim the apex before notching up a gear at the corner's exit. That carries the coupe through an S series but full brakes are needed at the tail's right-angle and also trail braking on exit to maintain a fast line without dragging much rubber.
In the straight that follows, Accord snaps quickly to a swift clip with satisfying acceleration.
Fast rack and pinion steering permits an exacting left-right-left maneuver through a chicane, as big stabilizer bars fore and aft in the responsive double-wishbone suspension system prevent excess body sway and add integrity to the coupe's stability.
Now the trick: With too much momentum to make the next sharp right, driver must hit brakes hard before entering. Four discs of Accord EX link to an anti-lock system which produces straight-line rein and also enables driver to brake while still turning for maximum control.
Drift to the outside edge with tires screaming as Accord zips across the line and completes the course in record time. It's faster and in more control, tests prove, than any previous Accord could muster.
And it's fun, putting elements of play into driving.
Subsequent runs on that autocross course, steering Accord coupes and domestic and foreign rivals, reveals superior traits for the Honda in engine performance, ride and drive quality, control of noise and vibration, and rider room and comfort.
Sparking the active personality, Accord coupe draws from two new high-tech aluminum engines, a four-pack and a six, both expanded in size and power over previous plants and outfitted with Honda's sophisticated VTEC wizardry of valve control.
The 2.3-liter four, with singe overhead cam, extends output to 150 hp while also elevating fuel economy numbers as high as 30 mpg.
This Honda engine scores for certification in California as a Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV), and when linked to the optional 4-speed automatic transmission becomes the first mass-produced gasoline engine to conform to the state's strict ULEV (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle) rule.
A notchy 5-speed manual shifter, standard with the 4-cylinder engine, hones the sporty nature of this coupe.
The V6, pushing 3.0 liters with single cam and VTEC controls, soars to 200 hp and connects strictly to an automatic 4-speed shifter. It, incidentally, comes out of Honda's Ohio engine plant.
Accords with either the four or six divide into the two trim series of LX and EX.
The LX contains a long list of luxury features, including power equipment for windows and door locks, but the EX variation goes further by adding driver's seat power height and lumbar adjustments, a compact disc player keyed to six stereo speakers, electric trunk release and automatic cut-off for headlamps, plus the four disc brakes with anti-lock controls and an option of leather seat upholstery.
Despite so many improvements, Honda holds the line on coupe pricing, which drops below $19,000 for base Accord LX.
1998 HONDA ACCORD COUPE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 HONDA ACCORD COUPE Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sports coupe |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sports coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
105.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
186.8 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.3-L I4 VTEC
SOHC 3.0-L V6 VTEC
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5, Auto/4
V6: Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
I4: Power disc/drum,
opt. ABS
V6: Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
I4: 23/30 mpg
V6: 21/28 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 18,700 to $ 26,000 |
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