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I ONCE
said that one of the most salient features of a BMW
upgrade is that you know something has changed, but you
just can’t put your finger on it.
Well
guess what? The Honda Accord has accomplished this feat
for its next offering in 2008.
It was
just chance that got me to the Serramonte Honda Plaza
this past week while on an errand in San Francisco. For
those not familiar with the place, Pinoys in Sanfo call
this the SM of California. It is situated right smack in
the middle of Daly City, the Filipino enclave in San
Francisco (which keeps me wondering why it has not yet
been called
Pinoy
Town!)
Anyway,
back to the Accord. I saw about five of them being
unloaded in front of the Serramonte Honda dealership and
I knew immediately they were Accords. But something
about their looks just kept calling to me. I had to get
a closer look.
As I got
near, the lines of the new automobile suddenly leapt up
to me and then I knew it was and was not the Accord. The
lines were more aggressive yet executive. The flow from
the rear all the way to the front was so seamless that
it gave an impression of an easy, fast ride.
The face
of the new Accord has changed very little, yet it looks
so new, probably due to the redesigned grille and the
position of the headlamps. It now carries a stern look
that evinces an aura of serious gamesmanship. And yet as
you stare at it, it slowly gives you a smile.
The legs
are 16-inch alloy wheels on low-profile tires (perhaps
because it is the US version that’s why) that give it
that low-center-of-gravity-look depicting stability and
control.
Step
inside and you will get that déjà vu feeling. It’s the
Accord, but it is not the Accord. The instrumentation is
still the same, except that you will immediately notice
the modern touches like the digital interfaces and color
scheme.
The
dashboard is as functional as ever, but now it has that
futuristic feel to it. From the driver’s point of
operation, the ease and simplicity in reaching for the
controls and switches show the detail paid to their
design. Using the different systems of the new Accord
quickly becomes second nature after a while.
The US
version, of course, carries with it a Honda
Satellite-Linked Navigation System that will make sure
you never get lost inside continental USA. (Oh, how I
wish the Philippines was mapped just as good!) And yes,
it can be operated by voice commands or by a central
interface dial. The same dial includes control for the
audio system and climate control. The Accord also
features a Bluetooth link to mobile phones for
hands-free use.
Sit down
on the drivers seat and you will feel how your body is
held in place, securely, safely and comfortably. Even
the seat belts are the same, but designed to be
unnoticeable when strapped on. But all the seats have
the same level of comfort, so there is really nothing to
compare.
And
comfort is not just the wide supportive seats, rich
upholstery or supple leather. The interior’s design is
such that all surfaces and angles are meant to
complement each other.
Engineering-wise, the Accord still has the body
structure that disperses crash energy to a wide area to
keep the shock away from the passengers. Even the
exterior has an energy-absorbing structure in the hood
and front fender to help minimize injury to pedestrians.
Then there is still the Vehicle Stability Assist that
helps keep the automobile’s stability in emergency
situations.
 Safety
includes all the alphabet of the safety design, from the
ABS to the EBD and all in between, plus multiple SRS
airbags, including side curtain bags for side impacts.
Now here
is the clincher! The Accord I tested was the
six-cylinder, 3.5-liter version that packs 268 hp under
the hood. This engine offers what Honda calls Variable
Cylinder Management technology.
What
does it do? Well in simple language, your Accord engages
all six cylinders when you need maximum power. But at
regular cruising speed, only three cylinders are
utilized, drastically reducing fuel consumption and, if
needed, it can engage four-cylinder operation for a
little added power. The power plant is controlled by a
five-speed automatic transmission.
So,
running along the fast Highway 280 of California, I had
a rush driving the Accord. The acceleration is truly
impressive and comfort cannot be questioned. But wait, I
felt that the handling had some bit to be desired.
The
steering felt light and the feeling of response I wanted
from the front was absent. Now, this is very important
on a highway like 280, since everyone is driving at a
minimum of 70 mph (about 120 kph) and changing lanes can
be a challenge if you are not sure of your steering
response.
On the
return to the Serramonte dealership, Edwin Forteza, the
Pinoy sales guy who gave us this opportunity was a bit
fazed at the way I rode his Accord. I don’t think Edwin
is going to give me a test-drive again soon! |
