TORRANCE, Calif., July 29, 2002 - The Honda Accord has undergone the most dramatic change in its 27-year history and will bring a new level of world-class styling, performance and sophistication to the midsize class when the 2003 models go on sale Sept. 9, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc., announced today.
All-New Accord for U.S.
All-New Accord for U.S.
The Accord, the best-selling car in America in 2001, features dynamic new styling for both the sedan and coupe models. Styling is more distinctive for the sedan and coupe, with the two models sharing only their headlights for '03. All models come loaded with lots of additional standard equipment, including anti-lock brakes, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel and 5-speed automatic transmission.
Accord sales are expected to top 400,000 vehicles during the 2003 model year. That will push cumulative U.S. Accord sales to more than eight million since the Accord first went on sale in 1976.
New 4-cylinder and V6 engines are teamed with new automatic and manual transmissions to give the 2003 Accords more power, improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions than the powertrains they replace. A new V6-powered Accord Coupe equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission will also be available early in 2003.
Powertrain highlights include:
- a new 160-horsepower 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine (+10 hp),
- a new 240-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 engine (+40 hp),
- a new 5-speed automatic transmission (replaces the 4-speed automatic).
In California, 2003 Accord Sedan models powered by the 4-cylinder engine and equipped with an automatic transmission will meet the state's stringent "Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle" (SULEV) standard, the most stringent in the world. With sales of about 5,000 SULEV vehicles a month expected, this is the first volume production vehicle to be sold that meets the SULEV standard.
The interior of the new Accords features a blend of driver-centered features and information-oriented technologies, beginning with a new seat design that provides maximum comfort and support. Other interior features include:
- increased front interior room,
- increased rear knee room,
- new, larger seats with added comfort and support,
- upgraded audio systems,
- LED instrumentation on all models,
- available dual-zone climate controls,
- sliding center armrest,
- additional and improved bottle and cup holders,
- a new multi-functional key which eliminates the need for a remote key fob.
For the first time on any Honda, the Accord will offer a side curtain airbag system, available on EX V6 models. Other safety equipment includes:
- standard dual stage front air bags,
- driver's and front passenger's side airbags (standard on EX 4-cylinder and all V6 models and available as an option on LX 4-cylinder models),
- Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) for the optional passenger seat side airbag,
- added rear headrests in outboard seating positions,
- LATCH child safety seat mounting system.
Also available for the first time on the Accord is the next generation of Satellite-Linked Honda DVD Navigation Systems offering greatly enhanced features and a revolutionary "Touch by Voice" voice recognition system. Other features of the system include a larger touch screen display, an expanded database covering virtually all U.S. roads and with seven million points of interest (compared to one million for most systems currently on the market). A new split screen design also enhances on-screen information with "3-D" route visualization for easier use.
Although much has changed on the Accord, one thing remains the same. It still has the same legendary dependability, quality and reliability that have made it one of the best-selling automobiles in America year in and year out.