Next Gen Honda Accord Sketch

Here's a nice rendering of the potential face of the next Honda Accord, based on what I've seen on the Coupe, I would doubt that the face would be this dramatically different from the current Accord....
Thanks for the tip Jeff....

Car and Driver: A look at the 2013 Honda Accord

What It Is: The ninth generation of the longest-running 10Best winner. Unlike many of  its mid-size competitors, the Accord will continue to be offered as a coupe and a sedan. Slightly smaller and lighter than the current Accord, the new version also will have softer lines and more cohesive styling.

Why It Matters: This Accord will be as important to Honda as anything it’s done in the past decade. Will it be able to beat the growing range of exceptional mid-size competitors? Will it have the magic feel of previous Accords? Will Honda get its size right? Will it deliver Honda-style innovation and fuel economy? The new Accord needs to answer these questions in the affirmative.

Platform: The new Accord likely  will be based on an updated version of  the current car’s architecture.

Powertrain: While many mid-size competitors are dropping their six-cylinder options, the Accord will offer a revised and more powerful version of its familiar 3.5-liter V-6 with cylinder deactivation. But the bread-and-butter Accord will be the four-cylinder model. Direct injection helps the 2.4-liter four make at least 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with improved fuel economy. A six-speed manual will be offered; the automatic will be a CVT. A plug-in-hybrid version will couple a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 161-hp electric motor.  A 6-kWh lithium-ion battery  will offer 10 to 15 miles of city driving range and will recharge in less than four hours using a standard 120-volt outlet. Three selectable modes will allow the hybrid driver to choose among fully electric, hybrid, and “direct drive,” which decouples the electric motor for more efficient cruising.

Competition: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat.

What Might Go Wrong: The conservatively styled and engineered Civic has us wondering if the Accord will suffer the same fate. After seeing the new Accord coupe in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January, the threat of dullness remains.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The two- and four-door Accords arrive this fall. Pricing is expected to remain in the $20,000-to-$30,000 range for the vast majority of the lineup. A well-equipped hybrid and a loaded V-6 model will crest $30,000.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2013-honda-accord-future-cars

Woodyscarsite/TOV Find: 2013 Honda Accord Rendering

*UPDATE*-- Turns out that this is a Temple of Vtec original! Great work as usual TOV Design Director Neal McDaniel! www.vtec.net
Source (has since been taken down by Woody since learning of the misrepresentation);
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2012/03/2013-honda-accord-sedan.html

Honda moves up to this fall major changes to the Civic

Honda will bring out a significant mid-cycle change to its embattled Civic compact this fall, just 18 months after it launched, a high-ranking executive told dealers here.

The move is a rush to improve the Civic in time for the 2013 model year. The Civic's cheapened interior and other reductions in content got a critical reviews from The Wall Street Journal, and Consumer Reports removed the model from its recommended list.

John Mendel, executive vice president at American Honda Motor Co., previously had said Honda hoped to get a midcycle freshening for the Civic sometime in 2013. More recently, Honda executives said they hoped a change could come by the end of 2012.

Even that would have been a feat, since most automakers wait three years into a five-year cycle for a midcycle change.

Most midcycle changes involve minor changes to the front and rear fascias and some minor interior updates. A dealer source said changes to the 2013 model year version would be more significant than that.

This latest announcement confirms that the substantially revised Civic will arrive at about the same time as a redesigned Accord. The Civic still is in the fight for the title of best-selling compact car, despite the bad reviews and inventory shortages related to the Japan earthquake in March and then floods in Thailand.

Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120206/CARNEWS/120209930#ixzz1lcCBwJN7

Temple of VTEC Videos: Acura ILX and Accord Coupe Press Conference

So, What's the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Going to Look Like?!?

This is just a rendering of what the Next Gen Honda Accord sedan might look like....
Based on the Accord Coupe Concept Honda’s showing at the Detroit Motor Show that previews the next generation model, Shoeb R Kalania rendered a four-door version sporting wheels and bumpers that are much closer to reality. Similar to the Civic and CR-V, Honda’s showing a near-production model before releasing the showroom model. The new Accord reaches dealerships in America this September and should make it to India next year.

The next generation Accord is another important model for Honda in India as that segment is seeing a model flood. Dust sheets came off Hyundai’s, Toyota’s and Peugeot’s rival vehicles (Sonata, new Camry and 508) at the Auto Expo last week. Nissan has updated the Teana and Volkswagen is making people take notice of the fuel-saving BlueMotion technology on the Passat. Ford’s next generation Mondeo, which we’re told is India bound, is on view at the same venue as Honda’s concept.

Honda has confirmed three engines for the new Accord – A 2.4 liter four-cylinder making 181hp/240 Nm mated to either a six-speed manual or a CVT, the 2.0 liter producing 161 HP “helped” by an electric motor and a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery, with an electric CVT and finally the 3.5-liter V6 for the power junkie with 301hp/359Nm bolted to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Source (via www.woodyscarsite.com);

http://indianautosblog.com/2012/01/2013-honda-accord-four-door

Current Production Accord Coupe Compared to 2013 Accord Coupe Concept

Very close with the exception to a few changes here and there. The real improvements come in the form of powertrain and tech. Even though this is a evolutionary approach to the redesign, I like it, but then again I liked the outgoing model as well. I am really interested in the changes that they've done to the sedan.

Pic credit goes out to www.vtec.net member DCR on this forum;
http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=1029677&news_item_id=1029531

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept Video at 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Honda Unveils 2013 Accord Coupe Concept

So, as far as changes to the overall design go, it sounds like the Sedan will be the one that gets the primary changes....
All-new Accord will feature next-generation powertrain technologies, class-leading fuel economy plus innovative safety and technology features
01/10/2012 - DETROIT

Honda unveiled the dynamic Accord Coupe Concept today at the North American International Auto Show, providing the first official glimpse of the athletic styling direction, as well as revealing a host of new technologies for the all-new, ninth-generation 2013 model, set to go on-sale this fall.

The 2013 Accord will feature three all-new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda's suite of next-generation Earth Dreams™ powertrain technologies. In addition, the V-6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the Accord Sedan and the Accord Coupe models are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings and will be available with a number of innovative new safety and technological features.

"Marking the 30th anniversary of U.S. production, this new ninth-generation Accord will raise the bar again through a tour de force of new Honda powertrain and safety technologies, geared to ensure that Honda and the Accord continue to lead in fuel economy, safety and fun-to-drive performance," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.Design and Packaging

The Accord Coupe Concept features an athletic styling direction for Honda's best-selling model. The front bumper's dynamic lines are highlighted by a revised four-sided honeycomb grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights. Lower fog-light spoilers are accented by crystallized chrome inlays.

The Accord Coupe Concept's 20-inch, machine-finished, 5-spoke wheels contribute to its solid stance. The rear taillights aggressively sweep into the body, while a trunk -lid spoiler and large exhaust finishers integrated into the bumper underscore the Accord Coupe Concept's muscular exterior.

While the Accord Coupe will remain similarly sized, the Accord Sedan will feature a more compact exterior footprint, adding to its sportier appearance. A shortened length and reduced weight will also give the 2013 Accord Sedan more responsive handling and improved driving dynamics. Both the 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe will retain the current model's generous cabin space.

Advanced and Efficient Powertrains
The Accord will offer three all-new powertrains for the 2013 model year. The Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe will be the first models in the U.S. to receive the new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC® four-cylinder engine featuring direct- injection (DI). The engine will be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission or a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which utilizes an innovative cooperative control system for excellent acceleration and responsive shifting. The all-new 2.4-liter DI engine generates significant performance improvements compared to the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine it replaces, producing more than 181 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. In addition to an overall improvement in fuel economy compared to the 2012 model, the new four-cylinder-equipped 2013 Accord models are targeted to deliver class-leading fuel economy1.

The 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe will also be offered with a re-engineered 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine, paired to a new 6-speed automatic transmission or an available 6-speed manual transmission. The new V-6 engine generates an increase in horsepower and torque over the current model. The 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe models equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission will utilize Honda Variable Cylinder Management ™ (VCM™) technology and are targeted to achieve class-leading fuel economy1 along with an overall improvement in fuel economy compared to the outgoing model.

The 2013 Accord lineup will also feature the first application of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system to the Accord Sedan. The Honda two-motor hybrid system moves continuously through three modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive - to maximize driving efficiency and fuel economy.

In all-electric mode, the 2013 Accord Plug-In Hybrid will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a powerful 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving scenarios and a top speed of 62 mph. Fully recharging the battery will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger.

In the gasoline-electric hybrid mode, the Accord is powered by its fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, i-VTEC inline four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). For more efficient high-speed cruising, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels. The Accord Plug-In Hybrid launch next winter.

All 2013 Accord models will incorporate the Honda ECO Assist™ system, an innovative technology that can enhance efficient vehicle operation at the touch of a button, while also providing visual feedback to the driver to promote and confirm a more efficient driving style.

Safety and Technological Innovations
The 2013 Accord will introduce numerous new features for enhanced driver safety, visibility and security. The new Accord will be available with Honda's first application of Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) technology. Both systems use a camera mounted behind the windshield to alert drivers if the car is moving out of its lane or to warn drivers of a potential collision in front of them.

The 2013 Accord is targeted to earn top scores in both the federal government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety2 (IIHS) vehicle evaluations.

Additionally, the Accord will be equipped with several new technologies to help improve the driver's visibility around the vehicle. The Accord will be the first model to receive the Honda-exclusive LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, which uses a camera system mounted on the passenger mirror for an enhanced view of the passenger-side roadway. The Accord will also receive a rearview back-up camera and an Expanded View Driver's Mirror as standard equipment.

The Accord has always been an exceptional value and the 2013 model will offer more standard equipment compared to the current model, including new advanced technology features. High-tech features that will be found on all 2013 Accord models include Bluetooth®3 HandsFreeLink® phone interface, a full-color intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) and an SMS text messaging function, which can read received texts from compatible cell phones aloud over the audio system. Another standard feature and first for the Accord is the introduction of a Pandora® Internet Radio interface4, compatible with the Apple® iPhone®, which works with the vehicle's audio controls and i-MID.Sales, Accolades and Manufacturing

History
The Honda Accord, currently in its eighth generation, is one of Honda's best-selling vehicles worldwide and remains one of the top-selling automobiles in the U.S. The Accord was launched in 1976 with subsequent major re-designs in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2003 and 2008. More than 11 million Accords have been sold in the U.S. since 1976.

Since its introduction nearly 36 years ago, the Accord has been honored for its quality, reliability and superior drivability. Car and Driver magazine has awarded the Honda Accord its prestigious and highly competitive annual '10Best Cars' award a record 26 times. No other vehicle in the award's history has been honored as frequently as the Accord. The Accord was also recognized for the highest initial quality in the mid-size sedan segment in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey.

In 2012, Honda will celebrate 30 years of Accord production in the U.S. The first Accord Sedan rolled off the Marysville, Ohio assembly line on November 1, 1982 and was the first Japanese-nameplate car assembled in the U.S. Since then, more than eight million Accords have been produced5 at Honda's first U.S. auto plant in Marysville, Ohio. More about Honda in America is available at http://www.hondainamerica.com.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate/releases/honda-unveils-2013-accord-coupe-concept

2013 Honda Accord Coupe?!?

Well, can't say that I've ever seen these sketches before, don't really know where they are from but, looks nice. Whether or not they are the basis for the next generation Accord remains to be seen.

Thanks for the tip Rob!

Temple of VTEC: 2013 Honda Accord Update

The 12-month period spanning from mid-2011 to mid-2012 is huge for Honda, with their three top-selling models undergoing full model changes (FMCs). The 2012 Civic was first, followed by the 2012 CR-V, and soon it will be the Accord's turn. Honda will roll out the concept for the 2013 Accord Coupe early next week at the Detroit Auto Show, so we'll have our first look at the car's styling then. We have heard that the new designs are a little more aggressive, but one source that has seen this coupe concept indicates that it is somewhat of an evolution of the current design.

It should go without saying that Honda is feeling some pressure on nailing this new Accord: so far, the 2012 CR-V has been generally well received, but the 2012 Civic has taken an uncharacteristic beating by a chunk of the media (to the point that Honda has basically admitted the Civic's shortcomings and is working to address them for the 2013 model year). On top of that, the current Accord has trailed not only the Toyota Camry for the past few sales years, but the Nissan Altima even outsold the Accord by more than 33000 units in 2011.

So how does Honda plan on returning the Accord to a position of sales dominance? From what we've heard, the plan is to shrink the car's dimensions a little bit - we received the following tip from one of our sources:

"I have heard from suppliers that the vehicle will be on a shortened version of the current Accord platform, also a shorter wheel base, and overall length of 4-5 inches shorter than the current one. Width will be 1 inch less than current. Interior dimensions will be only slightly less than current."

On the powertrain front, we have heard several things there as well. Supposedly 6-speed automatics are coming to 6-cylinder Accord versions. We're told that the 6MTwill continue to be offered in the V6 coupe. On the 4-cylinder side, we're hearing there is the possibility of a 6-speed manual transmission as well a CVT. If the CVT materializes, our guess it will be the new CVT that Honda demonstrated during the week of the Tokyo Motor Show at Twin Ring Motegi as part of the "Earth Dreams Technology" family of powertrains. This CVT should deliver better fuel economy and better performance compared to the outgoing 5-speed automatic currently used in 4-cylinder Accords.

While I was in Japan for the Tokyo Motor Show, I drove a prototype Accord model that was coupled to a new "earth dreams" direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC 2.4L 4-cylinder engine and was impressed not only by the engine's strong and broad torque curve, but by the responsive and direct feel of the new CVT design. I generally despise the lethargic and "laggy" feel of CVTs, but this new "Earth Dreams" CVT exhibited none of these annoying traits.

It seems logical that this combination will appear in the new Accords, though it's unclear whether or not the full "Earth Dreams" package will be ready in time for the 2013 Accord's launch later this year. If not, look for it in a mid-cycle product update for the Accord.

Hybrid
The Accord Hybrid is expected to return to the lineup, though there seems to be a little bit of confusion concerning which form it will take. Some of our sources seem to think it will not be a plugin model. Honda has stated that their new 2-motor hybrid technology will support both plug-in and standard hybrid configurations. Honda has announced that they expect a vehicle with the plug-in configuration to go into production in 2012, while the standard 2-motor hybrid configuration would not go into production until 2013. Reading between the lines, that means that if an Accord Hybrid is launched along with the rest of the lineup in 2012, then it will most likely carry the plug-in technology. If not, then it will probably be use a standard hybrid configuration. For what it's worth, one of our sources has told us that they had heard that the plug-in technology would be saved for a unique standalone model. Stay tuned...

During my time in Japan, I drove a prototype of the "PHEV" (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). This uses Honda's new "2-motor" Hybrid setup with the so-called "e-CVT" transmission. The fact is, there is no real transmission - simply an electric traction motor, and a 2nd motor/generator connected directly to a gasoline engine that uses VTEC to operate in either an efficient Atkinson cycle or a more powerful Otto cycle when loads demand. At low speeds (below roughly 100kph), the electric traction motor handles all of the drive duties and either runs straight off of battery power, or when demands dictate, from electricity generated via the gasoline engine/generator combo. At high speeds, a clutch engages the gasoline engine directly to the drive motor, for a direct 1:1 drive through the wheels. The PHEV prototype worked quite well, delivering a good feel of smooth and torquey acceleration and keeping the car in pure EV mode wasn't difficult with smooth throttle operation. A sudden demand for full acceleration resulted in the gasoline engine suddenly firing up in order to meet the large demands for electrical current, but the maximum permitted speeds were so low on our driving loop I wasn't able to get a good feel for how this would translate to "real world" driving circumstances. As soon as I could get the engine to fire up I had to lift off the accelerator in order to not seriously breach our very low speed limits. Overall though, I came away impressed by the operation of the system, and if this is what ends up in the 9th generation Accords, it seems like it will be something that will impress many potential buyers, particularly if it lives up to Honda's "top of industry" fuel economy claims.

i-MID and other technology
Also, it almost goes without saying, but we're hearing that the new Accord will be getting the same technology features that were recently introduced on the 2012 CR-V. By these, we're referring to the color i-MID display with Pandora, SMS (text) integration, iPhone, etc. We have also heard that Honda was working on possibly adding a few more features to this integration suite, but with the recent NTSB developments concerning the possible ban of cell-phone usage in vehicles, they have backed off on these features for now.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1023953

Is this the Next Honda Accord?

This pic was sent to me by 'Steve', not sure what to think about this, but it does look good, whether or not this is the Next Generation Accord or not .... we'll have to wait and see.

*UPDATE*
This is the Euro Honda Accord, be nice to see this non-TSX front end here though.

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept to Make World Debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show

12/11/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.
A concept vehicle revealing the styling direction of the next-generation Honda Accord Coupe will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show January 10, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The Accord Coupe Concept will convey the dynamic and aggressive profile of the ninth-generation 2013 Honda Accord set to go on sale in the fall of 2012. John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales, will introduce the concept vehicle at a press conference, which will also be broadcast live via webcast at http://hondanews.com/live/2012naias-honda (link will be live Jan. 10).
A leader in style, performance, safety, efficiency and value since the introduction of the first generation model in 1976, the Accord remains one of the best-selling cars in America. The 2012 Accord was recently named to Car and Driver Magazine's '10Best' list for a record 26th time and was ranked as having the highest initial quality in its segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS). The introduction of the ninth-generation Accord marks 30 years of U.S. production of the model at the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio, the first Japanese car assembly plant in the U.S.
For high-resolution photos and media information on the current Honda lineup, please visit http://www.hondanews.com/. After the press conference, images and video of the Accord Coupe Concept will also be available for download on the site.


Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2013-honda-accord-coupe-concept-to-make-world-debut-at-the-2012-north-american-international-auto-show

Honda Commited to fuel economy

by John Leblanc

MOTEGI, JAPAN — Honda, like most of its rival Japanese automakers, has been taking it on the chin of late when it comes to its perceived lack of engineering and product innovation.

With up-to-date features like direct-injected and turbocharged engines and multi-gear or continuously variable (CVT) transmissions more than likely found in rivals from Germany, America or Korea, many customers perceive that Japanese automakers have lost their engineering mojo, or have forgotten how to innovate, after years of being at the top of the sales charts.

The day before it rolled out three concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show that showcased what we may be driving in 2020, Honda unveiled a slew of state-of-the-art technologies at the Twin Ring Motegi Super Speedway that will appear in new cars as early as next year.

The message was clear to the attending media: Honda is back in the business of innovation, and aims to be a leader in fuel economy.

“The first task, when I started as president, was to get ahead of (the competition), particularly in the area of hybrid batteries and fuel cells,” said Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito, who’s been with the company since 1978 and took over the top job in 2009.

Ito also said that Honda wants to have "the No. 1 fuel economy in each (vehicle) category within the next three years."

To get there, and under the marketing banner of “Earth Dreams,” the automaker is rolling out a family of new hybrid and gas engines, CVTs, and all-wheel-drive systems, all slated to appear in new models as early as next year.

On the hybrid front, Honda’s new 2013 midsize Accord (due late next year) will receive a plug-in electric hybrid version of the company’s new “two-mode” gas-electric system.

When mated with a four-cylinder engine, Honda is claiming equal power to the existing Toyota Camry Hybrid (200 hp), but better fuel economy than the Toyota’s 4.7L/100 km combined rating.

Technically, Honda’s new two-mode hybrid uses a twin-cam profile. However, instead of using the automaker’s traditional VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) profile for more power, the hybrid version shifts between an Atkinson cycle (for leaner fuel burning), and the traditional Otto cycle (for more power , depending on the torque load on the engine).

Honda says the system can also be combined with a V6, driven in electric-only mode for up 24 km, electric-and-gas for accelerating, or gas-only for highway cruising.

Once a leader, Honda is catching up to the competition by adding direct-injection and double overhead cams to its mainstream gas engines.

Dubbed “i-VTEC, the new engines promise more power and “at least” a 10 per cent fuel economy advantage over the outgoing powerplants.

For example, the 2013 Accord will get a new i-VTEC 2.4-litre four-cylinder with 181 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque (all preliminary ratings), up 4 hp and 16 lb.-ft., respectively, from the existing Accord four.

As well, a new 1.8L i-VTEC, with 148 hp and 133 lb.-ft. (gains of 8 hp and 5 lb.-ft.) may end up in the refreshed 2013 compact Civic, while a new 1.5 i-VTEC with 127 hp and 111 lb.-ft. (10 hp and 5 lb.-ft.) could find a home in the subcompact Fit.

Shying away from CVTs in the past, Honda is now working on three new units — one for mid-sized cars such as the Accord, and two for smaller vehicles such as the Civic and Fit — that will become the base automatic transmissions for all four-cylinder engines.

While competitor CVTs have a "rubber band" feeling similar to a slipping clutch under acceleration, the Honda system I drove at Motegi, in an Acura TSX test mule with the new i-VTEC 2.4, felt more like a traditional torque converter automatic, free of the high-pitch whine usually associated with CVTs.

Honda says the new i-VTEC’s engine control software has been remapped so there is less “hunting” for revs during hard acceleration.

Honda’s premium Acura brand will also see immediate benefits from the automaker’s recommitment to new tech.

“We are not satisfied with the brand’s current positioning. We want to make it more unique and sporty. We want to make it into a ‘high-end’ brand,” said Ito.

The midsize Acura TL sports sedan will receive a new 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6, now with 310 hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque — 30 more horsepower and 11 more lb.-ft. than the current car’s base six.

More interestingly, Honda also had on hand an Accord engineering test mule that encompassed many of the new technologies that may end up in the oft-rumoured Acura NSX replacement.
Called Electric Super Handling-All-Wheel-Drive, and in the prototype we drove, a new i-VTEC 3.5-litre V6 was mated to an also-new seven-speed dual-clutch auto box with an integrated hybrid-electric motor that also uses the energy from regenerative braking to provide the power boost. All four wheels are independently powered, depending on the car’s cornering and traction needs.

When pressed, Honda engineers told us the hybrid powertrain was rated “well above 300 hp.”
But by the way the car shot forward from rest, my seat-of-the-pants were telling me that that number could be closer to 400 hp.

Speculation in the Motegi paddock was that a new concept car, in the spirit of the Acura NSX super car, would encompass all of the Accord Electric SH-AWD test mule’s new hardware, and is set to appear at next January’s Detroit auto show.

When asked about such a car, Ito replied, “I don’t know. Stay tuned!”

Source;
http://www.wheels.ca/article/801538

Try, try, again: Another Honda Accord hybrid on the way

Honda just introduced a bevy of energy-frugal cars at the Tokyo Motor Show and vowed to cut carbon emissions by 30% from year 2000 levels on all its vehicles by 2020.

But perhaps more interesting were remarks to reporters indicating that another Accord hybrid is on the way, wire services reported. The model was discontinued in the U.S. after poor sales, mostly because it didn't save much gas, as it modified a V-6, instead of a four-cylinder, engine.

"For such a future, the most important challenge we need to address right now is the improvement of the efficiency of gasoline and diesel-powered internal combustion engines," said CEO Takanobu Ito.

To get there, he says he hopes to modify gas and diesel engines and combine them with continuously variable transmissions, or CVTs.

As a down payment on Honda's greenness, he showed off the EV-ster concept, an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car. He says it has an electric range of about 80 miles and is steered with a pair of levers.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/11/honda-vows-30-carbon-emissions-cut-in-japan-by-2020/1