Honda Unveils 2013 Accord Coupe Hybrid Concept

Honda’s 2013 Accord, the 9th generation of the model, which is due to go on sale this fall, will feature three all-new powertrains, including the first US application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda’s suite of next-generation Earth Dreams powertrain technologies. In addition, the V-6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

Honda unveiled the Accord Coupe Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, providing the first official glimpse of the new styling direction for the new generation. Honda says it expects both the Accord Sedan and the Accord Coupe models to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings.

The Honda two-motor hybrid system moves continuously through three modes—all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive&madsh;to maximize driving efficiency and fuel economy.

In all-electric mode, the 2013 Accord Plug-In Hybrid will use a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 10-15 miles (16-24 km) in city driving scenarios and a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). Fully recharging the battery will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger.

In the gasoline-electric hybrid mode, the Accord is powered by its 2.0-liter, i-VTEC inline four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). For more efficient high-speed cruising, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels. The Accord Plug-In Hybrid will launch next winter.

The Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe will be the first models in the US to receive the new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine featuring direct- injection (DI). The engine will be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission or a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which utilizes an novel cooperative control system for excellent acceleration and responsive shifting.

The new 2.4-liter DI engine generates significant performance improvements compared to the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine it replaces, producing more than 181 hp (135 kW) and 177 lb-ft (240 N·m) of torque.

The 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe will also be offered with a re-engineered 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine, paired to a new 6-speed automatic transmission or an available 6-speed manual transmission. The new V-6 engine generates an increase in horsepower and torque over the current model. The 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe models equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission will utilize Honda Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology (cylinder deactivation).

All 2013 Accord models will incorporate the Honda ECO Assist system, an innovative technology that can enhance efficient vehicle operation at the touch of a button, while also providing visual feedback to the driver to promote and confirm a more efficient driving style.

The 2013 Accord will introduce numerous new features for enhanced driver safety, visibility and security. The new Accord will be available with Honda’s first application of Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Crash Warning (FCW) technology. Both systems use a camera mounted behind the windshield to alert drivers if the car is moving out of its lane or to warn drivers of a potential collision in front of them. The 2013 Accord will be the first Honda model to apply a side curtain airbag with a wider deployment profile to enhance ejection mitigation. This application is two years in advance of new safety regulations going into effect in 2015.

Additionally, the Accord will be equipped with several new technologies to help improve the driver’s visibility around the vehicle. The Accord will be the first model to receive the Honda-exclusive LaneWatch blind-spot display, which uses a camera system mounted on the passenger mirror for an enhanced view of the passenger-side roadway. The Accord will also receive a rearview back-up camera and an Expanded View Driver’s Mirror as standard equipment.

The Honda Accord, currently in its eighth generation, is one of Honda's best-selling vehicles worldwide. The Accord was launched in 1976 with subsequent major re-designs in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2003 and 2008. More than 11 million Accords have been sold in the US since 1976.