New diamond in Accord range

Japanese carmaker also added new sparkle to the Accord range

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Three years after Honda introduced its Accord family sedan to the South African market it has given the 2009 South African Car of the Year range a good mid-life make-over by making it slightly more attractive, improving safety levels, refining its ride and handling qualities and making it a tad more environmentally friendly.

But the Japanese carmaker also added new sparkle to the Accord range with the addition of a high output 2.2 iDTEC turbodiesel. With eight sedans and six tourer wagons in the Accord range this new diesel stands out like a large blue-white diamond in the company of bland cubic zirconias.

Chocolate smooth manual gearbox

When the updated range was introduced to the motoring media in Cape Town recently I drove the range-topping 2.4-litre automatic Accord Executive sedan priced at R401 200 and then hopped into the new 2.2 iDTEC diesel priced at R396 200 and although not normally a fan of oil-burners, it didn't take long for me to be smitten by this likeable family saloon.

The new turbodiesel is also amazingly quiet.

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Besides its chocolate smooth manual gearbox, good road-holding and comfortable, spacious cabin which have become the trademarks of all Accords, the new turbodiesel is also amazingly quiet.

To tell the truth, it was way ahead of the petrol flagship and underpins Honda's special efforts to reduce noise levels with better insulation and in the case of the diesel, also tweaking the oily bits to reduce internal friction.

With power bumped up to 132 kW and a new torque peak of 380 Nm this cosy cruiser is sporty enough to keep daddy smiling all the way to work. In spite of being lively, the engine is also cleaner and now boasts with a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of just 5.8 litres/100 km and a CO2 emissions rating of 151 g/km.

With ample boot space and tons of leg and body space, this particular Accord should please most families. Being easy to drive, it is also a doddle to park, even though it's not a small car.

Unfortunately we didn't get to drive one of the revamped wagon models which I have always rated as one of the best-priced family-friendly station wagons available in South Africa.

Improved ride qualities

What's more, like the sedans, the tourers also benefit from cleaner, more efficient engines, prettier make-up and improved ride qualities.

In the sedan range the engine choices are between two i-VTEC petrol engines, a 2.0-litre and a 24-litre mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission.

The 110kW i-DTEC diesel engine is available with the five-speed automatic transmission only, while a six-speed manual gearbox is the sole choice when opting for the 132 kW model.

Cleaner, more efficient engines, prettier make-up and improved ride qualities.

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The Accord Tourer is available with the 2,4-litre petrol engine, and both diesel powertrains.

The 2.0 i-VTEC Elegance engine kicks 115 kW and 192 Nm. Linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 215 km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption comes to 7,2 litres/100 km, while the CO2 emissions rating is 165 g/km.

Mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox the same four-cylinder engine allows the Accord sedan to achieve a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 11.3 sec and a 212 km/h top speed. In this guise, combined cycle fuel consumption is given as 7.4 litres/100 km and a CO2 emissions rating of 171 g/km.

Next up is the Accord with the 2.4 i-VTEC engine that produces 148 kW and 234 Nm. The six-speed manual model despatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds and will get to 227 km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption is given as 8.8 litres/100 km while the CO2 emissions figure comes to 203 g/km.

There is also the option of a five-speed automatic model which zips from 0-100 km /h in 9.8 seconds and 227 km/h. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle comes to 8.6 litres/100 km, with a CO2 emissions figure of 199 g/km. The less powerful of the two diesel engines is offered in automatic guise only and takes 10.3 seconds to clock 0-100 km/h and has a top speed of only 207 km/h.

Three specification levels

The jazzed up Accord range is offered in three specification levels: Elegance, Executive and Exclusive.

Features of the Elegance models include 17-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, dual-zone climate control and heated front seats with leather trim.

Standard safety systems include dual front, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (BAS), a trailer stability assistance system (TAS), and electric power steering (EPS).

Features steering wheel-mounted satellite controls for the sound system.

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The Executive model has all the above features but also gets cruise control, electrically adjustable front seats with a driver's side memory function, steering wheel-mounted satellite controls for the sound system and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

The Exclusive specifications stretch to also include a USB/iPod connector for the sound system, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, automatic Bi-Xenon headlights that use clear-lense indicators with Active Cornering Lighting and High Beam Support System to improve night time visibility, front and rear parking sensors and a premium audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer.

The wagons with this spec level are also fitted with roof racks and a power-operated tailgate.

The changes at the rear of the sedan is so small it is hardly noticeable, but what will appeal is the choice of the new colours that Honda calls Alabaster Silver, Graphite Lustre metallic and Celestial Blue Pearl.

A little sparkle is added to the living quarters with dark silver interior panels, bright silver door handles and handbrake and lighter grey stitching on the black leather seat trim.

Tarmac performance has been upped with tweaks to the dampers to add a little more comfort and cling.

Automatic dipping headlights

An important add-on to the top-of-the-range models is an Active Cornering Lights and High Beam Support System, which is fitted on vehicles with the Bi-Xenon headlights. This system is controlled by a camera fitted to the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror.

The camera detects oncoming headlights, or the taillights of a vehicle in front, and automatically dips the headlights to their normal setting if they are on high-beam.

The Honda is good common sense buy.

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But by far the most impressive selling point of the range (and unfortunately limited to only the new 2.4 Exclusive models) is Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) which comprises three separate technologies: Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

This is a high-tech accident impact avoidance system, much too complicated to discuss in detail here, so ask the Honda sales staff to explain it to you. While you are there, also ask the salesperson to talk your through the Accord's new Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

The Honda is good common sense buy and although it is not quite in the same league as the German C Class contenders in terms of looks and snob value, it is a car that has built up a good reputation for well-built comfort and good handling at an extremely competitive price - and the revamped Accord range fits the mould to perfection.

All models come with a three-year/100 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan.

Specifications.

2011 Honda Accord Sedan EX-L V6

2011 Honda Accord Sedan, differences in all TRIM MODELS, EXL-L,EX,SE,LX,LX-P