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| Road Test: Honda Accord (2003-) |
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| Large Family |
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| PERFORMANCE RATING: |
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Let's start with the 2.0-litre, lifted from the Stream people carrier. Breathing through a new head fitted with Honda's infinitely variable valve timing system, it produces 153bhp at 6000rpm and 140lb ft of torque (pulling force) at 4500rpm. It's available with either five-speed manual or automatic transmissions. At urban speeds, this engine feels relaxed and refined, but isn't that strong lower down the rev-range. And when you do keep it spinning above 4000rpm, the 16-valve engine feels a little gritty and strained at the top end - made more noticeable perhaps by the absence of other noise entering the cabin. The manual 'box is quick and positive, but could really do with a sixth gear (as in German rivals') for sustained motorway use. The 2.4-litre engine is a more appealing powerplant; with 185bhp at 6800rpm and 163lb ft of torque at 4500rpm, it naturally feels lustier and more responsive. But it's also noticeably smoother, quieter and keener to lug cleanly in the mid- to high-range. Its drive-by-wire throttle (the 2.0-litre unit gets a simpler, mechanical link) responds quickly to inputs and mated to the wonderfully smooth and responsive five-speed automatic 'box, it proved equally adept at whispering away in near silence at low speeds or pulling strongly and smoothly to its redline. The engine also works well with the six-speed manual gearbox fitted in the Type-S. The jewel in the Accord crown though is the 2.0-litre diesel unit which gives 140bhp at 4000rpm, but more importantly a whopping 250lb ft of torque at a lowly 2000rpm. This makes the diesel a joy to drive with ample overtaking power in reserve whatever gear you are in.
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Introduction Honda has made a big effort with this new Accord range to pitch it fur... |
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