ABDULLAH Hashim Co. Ltd., sole distributor for Honda products in Saudi Arabia, announced the introduction of 10th generation All-new Accord 2018 year model across all Honda showrooms in KSA.

The 2018 Accord is the 10th generation of Honda’s perennially best-selling midsize sedan. All new from the ground up, the new Accord is built on a new platform with a lower, wider stance, a lighter and more rigid unibody structure; a lighter and more sophisticated chassis; two advanced new power units, including Accord’s first-ever turbocharged engines, a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

In summary, the most dramatically styled, premium and fun-to-drive Accord yet.

In reimagining Accord, designers first established the fundamental packaging strategy. Consistent with the “Man Maximum-Machine Minimum (MM)” design philosophy that underpins all Honda designs, the team shrunk the Accord’s footprint while expanding its interior space, at the same time creating more premium and athletic proportions and stance. The move to 4-cylinder engines across the lineup is a key component of this approach, allowing a shorter engine bay while also reducing weight and improving dynamic performance.

Viewed head-on, the new Accord’s greenhouse also angles in more sharply from the window sills to the roof, further emphasizing the wide lower body, while inside the cabin the seats have been moved slightly inward, which contributes to improved hip, shoulder and head room while enhancing occupants’ freedom of movement. In addition, the longer wheelbase allowed designers to move the second-row seats substantially rearward, giving Accord 48 mm of added rear legroom. Overall passenger volume is increased by 70 liters (LX trim) and trunk space, at 473 liters on all models and trims, is up 25 liters on 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter models.

. The 10th generation 2018 Accord takes an entirely new approach to performance with its two new direct-injected VTEC® Turbo 4-cylinder engines with dual VTC – a 1.5-liter 16-valve inline-4 and a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC inline-4. Both new turbocharged engines produce peak torque across a broad range of engine speed (RPM), delivering smooth and virtually lag-free power for exceptional throttle response and power delivery in all driving conditions.

The 1.5-liter turbo is mated to a Honda continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with G-Shift Control. The new 2.0-liter turbo, sharing much of its design with the 2017 Civic Type-R engine, is mated to a smooth, responsive Honda-designed 10-speed automatic, the first of its kind for a front-wheel-drive car.

The two new automatic transmissions take greater advantage of available torque while maximizing quietness and efficiency during highway cruising. The redesigned CVT has an 11-percent lower ratio compared to the previous generation version for more powerful launch performance, while the new 10AT is 9kg lighter, with a 43-percent lower first gear and a 17-percent taller top gear compared to the previous generation Accord’s 6-speed automatic.

Accord 1.5-liter offers the responsiveness and efficiency of an available Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has smooth and predictable gear ratio transitions and excellent acceleration matched with efficient low-rpm cruising. A wide ratio spread results in strong acceleration performance coupled with reduced engine rpm at high road speeds. The redesigned CVT has an 11-percent lower ratio compared to the previous-generation version for more powerful launch performance.

Accord 2.0-liter models are available with a new, Honda-developed 10-speed automatic transmission (10AT), the first of its kind in the Accord’s segment. Engineered for high efficiency with low internal inertia and an exceptionally wide ratio range, the 10AT maximizes the Accord’s performance and fuel efficiency. Compared to the previous 6-speed automatic, the 10AT is 9kg. lighter and has a 68 percent wider overall ratio range with a 43 percent lower first gear and a 17 percent taller top gear.

The 10AT is designed to be lightweight and compact. It features four planetary gear sets that work together to provide an exceptionally wide ratio spread of 10.139:1 compared to 6.041:1 on the previous-generation Accord’s 6-speed unit. The 10-speed also has substantially faster upshift and downshift performance than the previous generation 6-speed transmission. For greater responsiveness, the 10-speed transmission can make 4-gear direct downshifts: from 10th to 6th, or from 7th to 3rd.

To maximize fuel efficiency and minimize interior noise, the transmission’s 10th gear is exceptionally tall, resulting in quiet and relaxed cruising rpm.

In its evolution to becoming a more premium, sophisticated and aspirational sedan, the all-new 10th-generation Accord adopts a stronger, lighter and significantly more rigid body. Its lower and wider exterior proportions express a more premium and athletic stance, accentuated by a longer wheelbase and wider track (see Chassis), advanced LED exterior lighting (including available LED headlights and fog lights) and luxurious bright trim. A choice of new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels (Three wheel designs in total), all contribute to a more confident, youthful and sporty sedan.

Upscale and sophisticated, confident and distinctive, youthful and sporty – the 10th generation Accord design strongly advances the emotional and aspirational appeal of Accord. Designed to distinguish itself as a “class above” its competitors, the new Accord has a wider stance, lower roofline and a dramatically longer, lower hood to achieve improved dynamics, a more comfortable interior and a more dramatic presence. Using a slightly shorter overhang than before, the front-end design is characteristically Honda, with the chrome wing grille and streamlined wing-shaped headlights (LED high/low beams on the 2.0 Sport trim), and aggressive air inlets presenting a strong image. Aggressive hood lines add an athletic look to the Accord front end, while thinner A-pillars moved rearward on the body (and relative to the driver’s seating position) improve outward visibility for the driver by 7.9 degrees compared to the previous Accord Sedan.

. With the new Accord’s longer wheelbase, the more spacious cabin is even more streamlined than before, with a more tapered rear section including longer and sleeker quarter windows. These windows contribute to a large “6-light glass” cabin that adds lightness, visibility and a sporty flair to the new Accord, while a bright trim strip flowing front to rear above the windows adds a windswept look. — SG

In back, the brightly trimmed rear fascia is as athletic and energetically designed as the front end, with a slightly longer overhang than found on the previous generation Accord. Here, a sharply tailored decklid helps air separate cleanly from the body, while bright trim (including dual bright exhaust finishers on both Sport & 2.0 Sport trim) add an upscale look, and dramatic light-pipe LED taillights define the Accord as all new – and all Honda.

Acoustic spray foam provides extra sound insulation by blocking off hollow pillars, which reduces the transmission of noise from the floor area into the passenger cabin. A first for Accord, it is applied in the base of the A-, B- and C-pillars, as well as in the base of the windshield frame and at the top of the C-pillars.

Based on a substantially stiffer unibody structure with new front and rear suspension systems and benefitting from a lower center of gravity and a lower front roll center height, the 10th-generation Accord’s chassis significantly advances the dynamic performance of Accord. Handling prowess, steering and braking precision and ride comfort communicate a sense of “absolute confidence” to the driver and passengers in all driving conditions.

Front and Rear Suspension

The 2018 Accord’s new suspension system uses a combination of front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link with rigid subframes, including a lightweight cast-aluminum unit in front and floating type in the rear. The strut-style front suspension improves the room available for crash reinforcement, and the compact multi-link rear suspension provides outstanding handling characteristics and ride quality – while also helping to maximize second-row seating and cargo space. Front and rear stabilizer bars on all trims improve turn-in response while reducing body roll during cornering. The stabilizer bars are now bonded to their mounting bushings and use low-friction connecting links for smoother operation. Sport trims have firmer spring and stabilizer tuning for improved responsiveness and a more connected feel, in keeping with the expectations of the Sport buyer.

The steering ratio is variable with a final full off-center ratio of 11.8:1. This provides a quick 2.3 turns lock-to-lock (compared to 2.5 on the previous model), enabling confident, precise steering control and easy low-speed maneuverability. The EPS on the Sport trim is further tuned to provide more information from the front tires for a more secure and precise enthusiast-oriented feel.

In a first for any Honda production vehicle, all 2018 Accord 1.5 Sport and above wheels have a special noise-reducing design that lowers noise by 6dB. The key elements of the noise-reducing function are a resonator and a resin molding applied in a band on the inside of the rim. The result is reduced noise resonance in the air column inside the wheel. One important benefit of the noise-reducing wheel technology is a noticeable reduction in audible thumping or bumping noises when the Accord crosses expansion joints on the roadway.

The all-new 2018 Accord boasts a larger, more premium and tech-savvy interior that compliments its elegant new body design and more refined and athletic driving character.

The new Accord’s wider body and longer wheelbase contribute to its improved cabin space, most notably an additional 48 mm of rear legroom, as well as an added 70 liters of interior volume, 25 liters of trunk space, despite its shorter, more compact and sporting exterior form, the result of Honda’s packaging expertise and “Man-Maximum, Machine Minimum” design philosophy.

The tech-savvy cabin’s new 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) digital drivers meter offers a wide-array of driver-selectable information displays, while an available new 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen features both physical volume and tuning/list-scrolling knobs along with a more intuitive app-based user interface, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, is available from EX and above trims

2.0T Sport model also feature a new 6-inch driver’s head-up display, automatic Bluetooth® phone pairing.

The Accord 2.0T Sport features a head-up display, which utilizes a concave mirror located behind the instrument panel to project a broad range of information on the lower portion of the windshield directly in front of the driver. The driver can adjust the location of the projection (up and down) or turn off the system via switches on the instrument panel.

Display modes can be selected by a steering wheel-mounted thumb dial. Display modes include:

The Accord instrument panel provides important vehicle information and connectivity content via a Driver Information Interface (DII) area of the instrument display positioned centrally in the instrument display. Controls positioned on the steering wheel allow the driver to cycle the Driver Information Interface (DII) through multiple screens of information from sources including trip computer, phone, audio, maintenance and more.

The 2018 Accord receives numerous safety improvements and driver assistive features, beginning with its next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, and the application of Honda Sensing®, as standard equipment on EX-L and 2.0T Sport trims. Accord also adds driver and front passenger knee airbags for the first time (Standard), plus rain-sensing windshield wipers (Sport 2.0T), an electric parking brake (EPB) (Standard) and available LED headlights (Hi/low Sport 2.0T).

Electronic advancements include the first application of Driver Attention Monitor in the Accord (1.5 Sport and above trims).

New for the 2018 Accord, on highway and arterial roads the Driver Attention Monitor continually monitors and assesses driver behavior behind the wheel to help determine if the driver is becoming inattentive – and then if so, warn the driver to take a break. The system uses input from the Electric Power Steering (EPS) to measure both the frequency and severity of the driver’s steering inputs to gauge their level of awareness with four gradients.

When the Driver Attention Monitor is activated, the driver is first alerted by a coffee cup icon and a 4-level bar graph that is displayed on the Driver Information Interface (DII) below the speedometer and tachometer. The bar graph indicates full attention when four white bar elements are illuminated. As the driver attention drops, fewer and fewer bars are illuminated. When the number of bars drops to two, a message inviting the driver to take a break is illuminated. If the driver continues driving and the graph drops to the lowest level of one bar, a beeper sounds and the steering wheel vibrates, prompting the driver to pay closer attention. — SG