Doha Marketing Services Company (Domasco), the exclusive distributor of
Honda vehicles in Qatar, yesterday unveiled the all-new 2018 Honda
Accord – the 10th generation of Honda’s perennially best-selling midsize
sedan.
All-new from the ground up, the 2018 Accord is built on a new platform
with a lower, wider stance, a lighter and more rigid unibody structure; a
lighter and more sophisticated chassis; two advanced new power units,
including Accord’s first-ever turbocharged engines, and a new 10-speed
automatic transmission.
In recreating Accord for its 10th generation, Honda designers and
engineers sought to convey ‘absolute confidence’ in every element of
design and performance.
Building on the bedrock character of Accord – its outstanding quality,
fuel efficiency, packaging, and sophisticated driving dynamics – they
have imbued the 10th generation Accord with a new level of emotional
appeal and premium quality; an Accord that defies its mainstream midsize
sedan status, providing even more refined and engaging performance, a
more spacious and upscale interior, and the latest generation of
advanced Honda safety and driver-assistive technologies.
Domasco managing director Faisal Sharif said: “We are extremely pleased
to launch the 2018 Honda Accord in Qatar. The Accord has consistently
set the benchmark in the midsize sedan segment and this new model is no
different.
“With its advanced new powertrain, refined look, and enhanced features,
the new Accord is Honda’s most sophisticated vehicle yet. We invite all
our customers to visit the Honda showroom and take one for a test
drive.”
In reimagining Accord, designers first established the fundamental
packaging strategy. Consistent with the “Man Maximum-Machine Minimum
(MM)” design philosophy that underpins all Honda designs, the team
shrunk the Accord’s footprint while expanding its interior space, at the
same time creating more premium and athletic proportions and stance.
The move to 4-cylinder engines across the line-up is a key component of
this approach, allowing a shorter engine bay while also reducing weight
and improving dynamic performance.
The new Accord has a longer wheelbase (+55 mm), a lower overall height
(-15 mm), a wider body (+10 mm), and a shortened overall length (-15
mm).
A sweeping greenhouse, positioned farther back on the body, completes
the new stance and proportion of the next-generation Accord.
The 10th generation 2018 Accord takes an entirely new approach to
performance with its two-new direct-injected VTEC Turbo 4-cylinder
engines with dual VTC – a 1.5-litre 16-valve inline-4 and a 2.0-litre
16-valve DOHC inline-4.
Both new turbocharged engines produce peak torque across a broad range
of engine speed, delivering smooth and virtually lag-free power for
exceptional throttle response and power delivery in all driving
conditions.
The 1.5-litre turbo is mated to a Honda continuously variable automatic
transmission (CVT) with G-Shift Control. The new 2.0-litre turbo is
mated to a smooth, responsive Honda-designed 10-speed automatic, the
first of its kind for a front-wheel-drive car.
The two new automatic transmissions take greater advantage of available
torque while maximising quietness and efficiency during highway
cruising. The redesigned CVT has an 11% lower ratio compared to the
previous generation version for more powerful launch performance, while
the new 10AT is 9kg lighter, with a 43% lower first gear and a 17%
taller top gear compared to the previous generation Accord’s six-speed
automatic.
Domasco managing director Faisal Sharif joins other officials during the ceremonial hand-over of the symbolic key to the first owners of the all-new 2018 Honda Accord. PICTURES: Ram Chand