THE HONDA ACCORD

It may be hard to believe, but Honda Accord will be entering its 32nd year of production in 2008.

The Honda ACCORD was released in 1976, with the aim of creating harmony between people and society. The history of the ACCORD runs parallel to the history of Honda’s car manufacturing, with eight full model changes over 32 years. The ACCORD was exported to the USA in its first year, and subsequent models were rolled out to include manufacture in Asia and Europe. It is currently sold in 140 countries, and has grown into a truly global model, with cumulative manufacturing figures topping 12 million. These results have been made possible because of the constant attention to detail that comes with Honda’s car manufacturing – incorporating cutting edge technologies at all times, and matching world class quality with local needs in order to produce new value. The ACCORD continues to evolve, along with all the changes happening in the world, and along with Honda’s technology.

First Generation (1976-1981)

Initially available exclusively as a three-door hatchback, the first iteration of the Accord had a 1.6-liter, 68 horsepower CVCC four-cylinder engine and cost $3,995. With an aluminum cylinder head, five-speed transmission, and a host of standard features that included an AM/FM stereo, remote rear hatch release and rear window wiper/defroster, the Accord offered tremendous value and an entirely modern package. By 1979, a four-door sedan version was offered with a more powerful 1.8-liter engine and power steering. By 1980, 185,972 first generation Accords had been sold.

Second Generation (1982-1985)

The 1982 model year Accord was all-new, with a redesigned, larger body and an optional four-speed automatic transmission became available in 1983. The following year, engine size increased again from 1751cc to 1830cc, resulting in a power bump to 86 horsepower. The addition of fuel injection in 1985 on the SEi model brought another power increase, up to a full 101 horses. Meanwhile, fuel consumption was better than ever, registering 29/40 in city/highway driving, respectively.

Third Generation (1986-1989)

With the introduction of the third generation Accord, Honda had hit the big time. No longer the new kid on the block, the Accord had gained the respect that only comes from two successful generations of sales. The 1986 model year was larger than its predecessor yet again, but it was also sportier-looking -- and acting. Double-wishbone suspension was introduced front and rear and the new car was lower and more aerodynamic than before, resulting in increased performance. The four-cylinder engine was bumped up in capacity yet again, to a full 2.0-liters and now produced 98 horsepower when carbureted and 110 horsepower when fuel injected. Multiple trim levels were available and a hatchback version was phased out for a two-door coupe -- the first Honda to be produced entirely in the U.S. at the automaker's Maryland plant.

Fourth Generation (1990-1993)

For 1990, the Accord once again received sweeping revisions. The wheelbase and overall length grew yet again, making the Accord a true midsized sedan. A wagon model sat alongside the coupe and sedan variants in showrooms, while a new 2.2-liter engine produced an even 130 horsepower. The automatic transmission gained a sport-shift mode, where gear selection could be manually chosen.

Fifth Generation (1994-1997)

More interior room, a longer wheelbase, and a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder motor with the now-famous Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) technology marked the introduction of the all-new fifth generation Accord in 1994. The bodywork was given a new sporty look and Accords were even campaigned in international racing. The following year, the Accord first got a V-6 engine that produced 170 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque from 2.7-liters. A longer nose and restyled grille distinguished the more powerful examples.

Sixth Generation (1998-2002)

By now, the Accord had already become an icon in the midsized sedan market. A new body, engine, and chassis were featured for both coupe and sedan, with the four-door Accord riding on a slightly longer wheelbase than its two-door counterpart. The coupe was designed, developed, and engineered by Honda's American Research and Development department, and represented a the most dramatic departure from the Accord yet seen, both in styling and underneath the skin. Dual front airbags were now standard equipment with optional side airbags available, and by 2000 Honda had also developed its first Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) Accord for the Californian market. Safety and environmental awareness were now an integral part of the Accord.

Seventh Generation (2003-2007)

For the 2003 model year, Honda stuck with a strategy that had been a winner for the previous six generations: make the new car bigger and more powerful. Again, the Accord was redesigned to offer more room, new styling, and a brawnier powerplant. The base four-cylinder engine was now producing 160 horses -- nearly the same power that the first Accord V-6 produced. Well aware that many Accord buyers were now hooked on the V-6 version, Honda went ahead and bumped the power up on that unit too. A 240 horsepower, 3.0-liter VTEC V-6 was dropped into the Accord's engine bay to produce the quickest version yet. An optional navigation system was available for the first time, while side-curtain and front passenger front-side airbags were standard on every Accord by 2005 -- the same year as the debut of the 3.0-liter V-6 hybrid variant. The following year, Honda pushed the power up yet again with the 2.4-liter VTEC four gaining six more ponies, the six-cylinder motor gaining four more, and the Hybrid version featuring a total of 253 horsepower.

Eight Generation (2008-Now)

Compared to the first Accord in 1976, the 2008 sedan's wheelbase is 16.5 inches longer, the width has increased by 8.9 inches, and the overall length has increased by 31.3 inches. What has not changed in that time is how the Accord embodies the same fundamental values of dependability, quality, reliability and a fun driving experience. Some might have left a good car alone, opting for a restyle and some evolutionary tweaks after sales of close to 1.9 million vehicles in the life cycle of the seventh-generation model. The seventh generation Accord continued to win awards and comparisons, all while maintaining the highest resale value in a highly competitive landscape. Unwilling to settle for anything less than leadership, the new Accord again pushes the limits of its segment with the goal of resetting the industry benchmark. Engineered to lead in the areas of value, quality and reliability, the 2008 Accord innovates with new levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda's revolutionary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ ACE™ body structure and Accord's first 100-percent application of Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA™) on every model and trim level. Environmental leadership is demonstrated by offering the industry's first 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engine lineup that meets strict PZEV emissions standards as well as offering a new version of Honda's VCM technology that allows more powerful performance to exist with increased fuel economy. The end result is a package that is roomier, more advanced and fun to drive. The 2008 Accord features a 2.4-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that produces 177 horsepower on LX models and 190 horsepower on all coupe and EX sedan models. A 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine is available, featuring Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) for enhanced fuel efficiency. In short, the eighth-generation Accord is more powerful, refined and efficient than ever.

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