Al-Futtaim’s Doha Marketing Services Company (Domasco), the distributor for Honda in Qatar, has announced the official launch of the new 2017 Accord.
The new Accord, made in the US, gets a major facelift with sportier, more sophisticated styling and features restyled alloy wheels on the four cylinder version and Honda Sensing Technology on V6 grades.
An additional grade, DX, boasts of safety features such as Vehicle Stability Assist and curtain airbags as standard features ‘not found in any of its competitors.’
Faisal Sharif, managing director at Domasco pointed out that ‘Honda Accord is widely recognised as a segment-defining product, delivering class-leading interior space and superior ergonomics along with outstanding fuel efficiency, refined and responsive driving dynamics and top-class safety performance.’
“This is what has made the Accord one of Qatar’s most popular mid-size sedans. We are confident that new 2017 Accord will exceed expectations of the Qatari market,” he said.
Greig Roffey, head of sales and marketing at Domasco Honda explained that the new Accord exudes quality and features that one would only expect in a luxury car.
“Prices remain attractive and the Accord continues to offer exceptional value for money. We are inviting everyone to visit our showrooms and take a test drive to experience the ultimate mid-size sedan,” he added.
The 2017 Accord face is more sharply creased and an intricately structured bumper fascia integrates an all-new chrome grill design that features a prominent bright bar as a solid setting for the H-badge.
LED Daytime Running Lights, integrated LED Light Bar Tail Lights are standard in all grades, and V6 grades have redesigned LED headlights providing better light distribution for improved visibility and enhanced night time driving.
LED Front Fog Lights in 2.4EX and upwards, project a wide low beam for enhanced forward visibility in dust storms or during heavy fog. 17-inch alloy wheels are equipped in LX grades and above and 18inch alloy wheels in 3.5EX Sport grade. Other features standard in all grades include side turn signal on door mirror, body coloured power door mirror, sunroof standard in all grades except DX grade, and twin finisher tail pipe in 2.4EX upwards.
Accord has seating for five adults and an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, in 2.4 EX grade and upwards, and comes with personalised settings for two drivers. All grades come equipped with rear ducts for ventilation, manual A/C in DX grade, Dual A/C in 2.4LX and EX grades and i-Dual A/C in 2.4EXL, 3.5EX and 3.5EX Sport grades.
The cockpit is equipped with advanced instrumentation and controls positioned for driver’s convenience. The steering wheel is equipped with integrated switches for hands free calling, audio system track and volume control. Paddle shifters feature in 3.5EX Sport Grade which allow driver to instantly downshift or upshift according to the terrain.
Convenience features in 2.4EX grade onwards include Remote Engine Starter Smart Entry, Push Button Start, Auto Day and Night Rear View Mirror, Cruise Control and Electronic Power Steering.
The Honda Lanewatch feature, new in  2.4EX and 2.4EXL grades in addition to the 3.5V6 grades, uses a camera located below passenger side view mirror to display an expanded rear view of the passenger side road way on the high resolution intelligent Multi-information Display. The wide rearview camera also gives a look of three different viewing angles which can also be seen on the same screen.
LX and above grades are equipped with premium quality audio system with 7-inch Touchscreen Display Audio for easy music control. The 2.4EXL and the 3.5V6 grades have set up navigation routes with the inbuilt navigation software.
The new Accord offers choice of 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 2.4-Litre engine or a 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC 3.5-Litre V6 engine. The 2.4-litre engine in DX and LX grades generates 185hp @ 6400rpm, EX and EXL grades generate a 189hp @ 6400rpm and the V6 model 3.5-litre engine delivers a 278hp@ 6200 rpm. The fuel consumption of the new Accord is 16.5 (Km/l) for the 2.4L grades which is the best in its class. The 3.5L V6 grades has a fuel consumption of 13 (Km/l).
The 3.5 V6 grades is equipped with Honda Sensing, a new suite of driver-assistive technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Road Departure Mitigation System.
The other Honda active-safety features are Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control Systems, Anti-Lock Brake Systems, Electronic Brake Distributor and Hill Start Assist. The new Accord also utilises Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure technology to enhance occupant protection and crash compatibility. Rear parking sensors, a new feature in the Accord, are standard in all grades.