All-New 2003 Honda Accord Debuts

[Drew]

All-New 2003 Honda Accord Debuts

 

 

The Honda Accord undergoes the most dramatic change in its 27-year history and will bring a new level of world-class style, performance and sophistication to the midsize class when the 2003 models go on sale Sept. 9, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc., announced today.

 

The Accord, the best-selling car in America in 2001, features dynamic new styling for both sedan and coupe models. Styling for the sedan and coupe is more distinctive and the two models will share only their headlights for '03. A host of additional standard equipment has been added on all models, including anti-lock brakes, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and 5-speed automatic transmissions.

 

Accord sales are expected to top 400,000 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 team 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 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 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 vehicle to be sold meeting the SULEV standard.

 

The interior of the new Accords feature a blend of driver-focused features and information-oriented technologies, beginning with a new seat design to provide 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 on LX 4-cylinder models),

 

-Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) for available 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 traits that make it one of the best-selling automobiles in America year in and year out.

 

(source: www.honda.com)

[Drew]

Here are a bunch of pictures of the new Accord for your viewing pleasure.

Your opinions?

[92 Camaro]

sounds like the new accord is one bitchin machine.I have just one problem Fwd!!!???

 

common the germans have it down??? whats with front wheel drive??? It sucks. No its not just a jappanesse Americans too are making all there crap front wheel drive.... For instance the new malibu, a disgrace to its former self.

 

I dunno man is there no room left for Rear drive????

[optional187]

rear drive is better for race cars...front drive cars are better for the everyday person. and thats what the accord/malibu are, daily drivers...you gotta think, most of these new accords will be sold to soccer moms, or something like that. not me, a person that would turn it to full streetable race...but i don't have the cash to do that...so

[0verb00st]

sounds like the new accord is one bitchin machine.I have just one problem  Fwd!!!???

 

common the germans have it down??? whats with front wheel drive??? It sucks. No its not just a jappanesse Americans too are making all there crap front wheel drive.... For instance the new malibu, a disgrace to its former self.

 

I dunno man is there no room left for Rear drive????

i love rwd too. but there isnt much of a market for it.

look at the impala and the malibu (like you mentioned). also the mercury cougar used to be rwd, then it became fwd (now it's gone). firebirds and camaros are gone now, but there are rumors of them being revived as fwd V6's like the malibu and impala. some people say fwd is better in the snow. i prefer rwd in the snow. when it's slippery, your drive wheels spin. this is a terrible thing if your drive wheels are also for steering. you might be trying to turn left and since the wheels lose traction you are going to keep going straight (or whatever direction momentum takes you). when i was 16 i drove a 1973 plymouth roadrunner. i made it through one of the worst winters for NE PA without a problem. after that i bought a toyota and i didnt feel as safe. but it's hard to find a rwd vehicle that isnt a truck.

[92 Camaro]

Thank you for saying that, too many people Think that fwd is better in the snow, well I guess it is better for the inexpeirienced but rear drive has a much better chance making it through you know. And I dont know how front drive makes it more of an everyday type thing, unless you are racing or just being agressive, you shouldn't notice a difference.

[Drew]

I used to own a 6 series BMW, which was rear wheel drive and I loved how it drove. I could really rip the turns and that back end sliding out and still have full control. I'm not exactly sure why they make most cars in FWD. Probably so they don't have to make the drive shaft go all the way to the back. Better fuel economy as well.

I say go AWD w00t

[optional187]

i say go AWD with twin turbo...

[0verb00st]

i say go AWD with twin turbo...

not twin turbo. but a larger single turbo. most of the fast guys with stealths, 3000gts, and 300zxs scrap the little twin turbo and convert to a single turbo setup. more cfm= more psi = more hp and torque. the twin turbos do well in low revs which is fine for the average driver. but people looking for speed who like to race, want the power up high. how often are you below 3K in a race (never, if you win).

[92 Camaro]

People Use twin turbo's becuase they spool up faster than one, However in smaller displacment engines (ie: 4 Bangers) only one is needed, twin is better for most 6's cause of how fast they spool up, less lag, and you can turn up the boost on a 2 turbo setup so you dont have to worry about psi.

[optional187]

yeah, i was kinda just trying to refer to a 3000gt vr4 (cause thats pretty much my fav dream car...which i will have one day) if i were to get one i think that i would keep the twin setup and just upgrade the turbo's and the intercoolers.

 

if you switch out the two turbos for one you can't say its a true vr4 anymore...sort of

[MIntegraD]

I hate the front of the new accord sedan, but everything else around has sort of grown on me even though it sort of looks like a SATURN. I hate the way the coupe looks.