Honda releases images of new Accord

Heralded by the sleekly styled coupe concept that was revealed at Detroit motor show in January, the new Accord design has been streamlined and updated, and now sits closer to the Accord Euro standard in a more premium look.

Honda says the sedan will have a slightly more compact exterior with improved packaging meaning no loss of interior space.

The Japanese carmaker is also talking about better engines, with the current 3.5-litre V6 revised to offer better performance and economy – helped by a deactiviation system that shuts down some cylinders when under light load – paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

For overseas markets, the base model 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine has been ditched in favour of a new  2.4-litre direct-injection one, mated to a new fuel miser continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that Honda claims will offer class-leading economy.

The sedan range overseas will get a new all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid electric-petrol version that can toggle between three modes: electric, hybrid and petrol only.

Honda says the plug-in will get up to 23km range in electric-only mode, relying on a 120kW motor and 6kWh lithium-ion battery with a recharge time claimed to be less than 90 minutes on domestic voltage. In hybrid mode the electric system is joined by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which takes over full duties at high speeds.

New technology includes lane departure and front collision warning systems with monitoring from a windscreen-mounted camera. The sedan will arrive here early next year, with local specification and prices revealed closer to launch.