Honda provided official images of the 2013 Accord sedan and coupe earlier this week, and judging by these photos, the new models shouldn’t be much different from last year’s iterations in terms of exterior design.
The 2013 Accord two-door coupe also looks exactly the same as the Concept Coupe that was first unveiled earlier in the year at both Detroit and Toronto auto shows. Overall, both sedan and coupe versions appear to be a bit more aerodynamic and shorter than the 2012 editions, but Honda seems to be staying true to the Accord’s traditional no-frills design concepts. The car’s interior would, according to Honda representatives, be roomier than previous versions, a contrast to the slightly smaller dimensions of the Accord as a whole. A lighter curb weight would help the 2013 Accord achieve better fuel economy. The Japanese automaker, however, did not provide any insight on engine options or other specifications.
The most likely scenario would be still the 2013 Accords breaking in the new Earth Dreams engines. These new engine options include a direct injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that would be coupled with either a continuously variable (CVT) transmission or a six-speed manual, a direct injected 3.5-liter V6 paired with cylinder deactivation and a six-speed automatic transmission and a 2-liter, 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine. The plug-in hybrid is reportedly capable of about 16 miles on a single charge, while the V6 can also be mated with a six-speed manual without cylinder deactivation.
The 2013 Accord may also mark the debut of Honda’s HondaLink smart stereo system, which is similar to Ford’s Sync infotainment package. HondaLink would allow drivers to link the stereo with a smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity , and use voice, dashboard or steering wheel commands to play songs or even open text messages. Additionally, this would provide drivers with access to Internet radio stations, podcasts and social networking audio newsfeeds.
The 2013 Honda Accord is scheduled for a fall 2012 release. Pricing details are currently TBA.
