In true Honda fashion, we’re once again presented with a “concept” car that’s only a set of wheels and a de-Bedazzling away from being production-ready. What you’re looking at here is the concept that previews the next-generation Accord that will be dropping later this year, ready to compete with a full slate of redesigned mid-size sedans.

Honda has once again taken a conservative approach to design, and while it’s certainly handsome (except for those gaudy air intakes that flank both sides of the front fascia), we can’t help but think that it already looks one or two generations old. (2009 Kia Optima, anyone?) We’ll have to wait until we see the car in its production spec before making final judgments, but with sexy new mid-size offerings like the 2013 Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, the Accord doesn’t look to be gunning for shoppers who want a whole lot of style with their substance.

Substance, though, it definitely has. The base engine is a new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with direct injection, putting 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque to the ground via a continuously variable transmission. Honda will continue to offer a V6 in the Accord – a dying trend in this segment – measuring 3.5 liters, mated to either a manual or automatic transmission, both with six gears.

The Accord Hybrid will use an all-new two-motor plug-in hybrid system with three drive modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric and “direct-drive.”

What’s really interesting, though, is that the 2013 model marks the return of the Accord Hybrid – a vehicle that died after the 2007 model year. This time, however, the Accord will use an all-new two-motor plug-in hybrid system with three drive modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric and “direct-drive” – with a 6-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 120-kilowatt electric motor mated to a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline four-cylinder engine. Honda says that the Accord Plug-In will have a pure electric range of 10-15 miles with a top speed of 62 miles per hour, and that recharging the battery will take less than four hours with a 120-volt charger, or less than 1.5 hours with a 240-volt setup. Not bad, Honda.

Naturally, Honda will pack the 2013 Accord with all of its latest safety technologies, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind-spot detection and a multi-angle rear-view camera. We expect to see the production car debut in the not-too-distant future (New York Auto Show, perhaps?) with the 2013 model officially hitting dealerships this fall. The Accord Plug-In will arrive a little later, in winter. Hungry for more details? Click past the jump to read Honda’s official press blast.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s virtually no end to the list of automakers for which Pininfarina has designed over the years. But every once in a while, the stoic Italian studio works up a project just for itself. And this is one such occasion.

So what is the occasion, you ask? The 30th anniversary of the company’s Styling Centre, and the 10th anniversary of its Engineering Centre, which were founded in 1982 and 2002, respectively. The dual milestone is celebrated with the Cambiano concept car.

Named for the town in which Pininfarina is based, the Cambiano is an environmentally friendly sport sedan concept which the company will unveil at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. That’s about all we have to go on at the moment, revealed on the studio’s Facebook page along with the teaser image above. Watch this space for more as the Swiss expo approaches.

Pininfarina previews Geneva-bound Cambiano concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Think “supercar” and only a handful of countries are likely to come to mind. And most of them are in Europe: Italy, Great Britain, Germany… even Sweden and France have pitched in here and there with such notables as Koenigsegg and Bugatti. Consider examples like the Dodge Viper, Ford GT and Corvette ZR1 and you can deal America in on the action, and with vehicles like the Acura NSX, Nissan GT-R and Lexus LFA, Japan has lent its hand, too. But India?

The populous subcontinent may not be the first that comes to mind, but DC Design is eager to change that. The company has popped onto the scene here and there with its Rolls-Royce coachbuilds and dolled-up Tata Nanos, but is now preparing to step up to the big leagues with the vehicle you see teased here.

Set to be unveiled at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo (which is not, to our chagrin, a display of pastrami delivery trucks), DC’s first independent project is set to be powered by a forced-induction V6 engine sourced from Honda, delivering about 400 horsepower. Considering the low target weight of less than 3,500 pounds, that could prove more than enough. 30 lakh rupees (about ,000) is the target price, with production capped at 3,000 units per year.

DC Design previews India’s first supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the Tokyo Motor Show is a stage for the world’s manufacturers to strut their production models, the Tokyo Auto Salon allows designers and engineers to stretch their legs with custom hardware. This year, Mazda is bringing 10 special models to the Tokyo Auto Salon, including a custom version of the recently-released CX-5.

The custom CX-5 wears special paint, a lowered ride height and unique wheels for a significantly sportier appearance. Likewise, the company’s Demio also receives a little attention, and visitors to the show can expect to see the Demio 13 Skyactiv Smart Stylish bow alongside the CX-5. The pint-sized hatch makes use of a few aero treatments including a front underspoiler, side skirts and rear underskirt.

The new Axela Skyactiv will also be on display, complete with a body kit of its own, along with a sharp-looking set of wheels. Visitors can take a closer look at a pair of custom Roadster models as well, including the Black Tuned version and a racing-spec version called the Jimba-Ittai, or Rider and Horse as one. We like the sound of that. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars

Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Detroit Auto Show is right around the corner, now just a few weeks away. And with each approaching day, we get a clearer picture of what to expect when the doors open at Motown’s Cobo Hall on January 9.

Here we have our first glimpse at a new concept car which Lexus will be unveiling at the show. All we have to go on so far is the teaser image you see above (which you can click to view in high resolution) and a brief statement (after the jump), but from what we can tell it looks very aggressive, and rather sportscar-like.

Penned by Lexus’ Calty studio in Newport Beach, the concept is said to preview a bolder new design language for the Toyota luxury division. We’re sure to get more information and a better look as the show approaches, so watch this space for more and feel free to speculate in Comments.

Continue reading Lexus previews new design direction with Detroit-bound concept

Lexus previews new design direction with Detroit-bound concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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