Snowy spring roads rarely make for compelling video footage, but when several prototypes of the 2008 Honda Accord coupe showed, the occasion presented our spy photographers with plenty of interesting subject matter. Dressed only in light camouflage, these Accord coupe prototypes weren't far from the production models that will arrive later this year.
Thanks to the minimal disguise, it's easy to see that these prototypes have roughly the same overall size and shape as the Accord concept coupe shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Up front, the airdam has a particularly aggressive shape for a Honda. It has a more squared-off shape than before and flares out slightly at each corner. The center intake remains substantial, although much the same size as before, and there are decent-size openings for a pair of useful foglights.
Compared to the current model, the new Accord coupe's most distinctive design cue up front is its trapezoidal grille. Acura has been using this look recently, so maybe it's not surprising to see it migrate over to the Honda side.
These test prototypes also reveal a new character line that runs from the front wheel arch all the way to the taillights. It breaks up the slab-sided look of the current coupe without being too obvious at first glance. The rear-end styling isn't drastically different from the current car, apart from the less triangular taillights and more steeply angled tail section.
In traditional Honda fashion, the engines for the Accord coupe will produce more power while emitting less pollutants and using less gas. An enhanced version of Honda's VTEC valve-timing system aided by cylinder activation is expected to give V6 models as much as 270 horsepower, while four-cylinder models will get only minor changes. No word yet about whether Honda plans to continue with a manual transmission for this car.
With sales expected to start this fall, official specifications and photos should arrive by the end of the summer.
See new Honda models
See future Honda models
Thanks to the minimal disguise, it's easy to see that these prototypes have roughly the same overall size and shape as the Accord concept coupe shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Up front, the airdam has a particularly aggressive shape for a Honda. It has a more squared-off shape than before and flares out slightly at each corner. The center intake remains substantial, although much the same size as before, and there are decent-size openings for a pair of useful foglights.
Compared to the current model, the new Accord coupe's most distinctive design cue up front is its trapezoidal grille. Acura has been using this look recently, so maybe it's not surprising to see it migrate over to the Honda side.
These test prototypes also reveal a new character line that runs from the front wheel arch all the way to the taillights. It breaks up the slab-sided look of the current coupe without being too obvious at first glance. The rear-end styling isn't drastically different from the current car, apart from the less triangular taillights and more steeply angled tail section.
In traditional Honda fashion, the engines for the Accord coupe will produce more power while emitting less pollutants and using less gas. An enhanced version of Honda's VTEC valve-timing system aided by cylinder activation is expected to give V6 models as much as 270 horsepower, while four-cylinder models will get only minor changes. No word yet about whether Honda plans to continue with a manual transmission for this car.
With sales expected to start this fall, official specifications and photos should arrive by the end of the summer.
See new Honda models
See future Honda models
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