Honda has relied on the Accord sedan since the 1980s as the vanguard for global sales. The Japanese automaker has sold 11 million Accords in North America since the vehicle’s introduction in 1976. Visitors to the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit witnessed the unveiling of the Accord Coupe Concept. This concept model tracks closely with the ninth generation 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid slated for the American market later this year. The Accord Coupe Concept introduces a full slate of hybrid drive and safety components that will define Honda’s global fleet in the next decade.
The Accord Coupe Concept uses a two-motor hybrid system cycling automatically through three modes. The hybrid drive system uses a 2.4-liter direct injection engine, 6 kWh lithium-ion battery and 120kW electric motor to boost range. Honda cites an all-electric mode where the Accord Coupe Concept travels up to 15 miles at speeds up to 62 miles per hour. Drivers can recharge their batteries in less than for hours with 120-volt outlets and 90 minutes with 240-volt outlets. The gasoline-electric mode balances engine and battery power to meet the needs of commuters. The Accord Coupe Concept and the 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid feature a direct-drive mode that boosts the RPMs significantly.
Safety features like the Lane Departure Warning and Forward Crash Warning ease the minds of potential Accord Coupe owners. These components are located within the windshield base to anticipate the causes of common traffic accidents. The LaneWatch dashboard display uses a camera within the passenger mirror to keep drivers informed of potential obstacles. Standard safety features on the Accord Coupe and Accord Plug-in Hybrid include a rearview camera as well as a broader rearview mirror.
Honda’s presentation at the 2012 NAIAS skewed toward shoring support from loyal consumers rather than wowing the automotive press. The Accord Coupe Concept doesn’t advance the Accord styling much from the 2008 remodel. Representatives from Honda focused attention on core concerns of families and couples interested in high safety standards as well as improved fuel economy. Honda allowed competitors to dazzle audiences with futuristic concepts and prototypes, which could have been the right strategy given current economic conditions. The Accord Coupe as well as the 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid hit the spot for consumers more interested than substance than flash.
