Facelifted V6 Accord holds its edge

Honda's American- designed V6 Accord - called Inspire over there - has been facelifted.

There's lots to like about the Honda V6 Accord. Despite the fact this latest- generation model has been on the New Zealand market since 2008, it carries with it technology that is still leading- edge.

HONDA V6 ACCORD VL POWER PLANT: 3.5-litre SOHC fuel-injected 24-valve i-VTEC V6 engine with variable cylinder management, 202 kW at 6200 rpm, 340 Nm at 5000 rpm. RUNNING GEAR: Front-wheel drive. Five- speed automatic transmission with paddle- operated manual over-ride. Double wishbone front suspension, multi-link set-up at the rear. HOW BIG: Length 4945mm, width 1845mm, height 1475mm, wheelbase 2800mm. HOW MUCH: $56,600. WHAT'S GOOD: Luxurious and quiet drive, nimble handling, high-tech VCM engine allows good fuel economy. WHAT'S NOT: Current price is $10,000 more than when the pre-facelift model was launched in 2008. OUR VERDICT: Honda is a world leader in engine design – this new V6 Accord dramatically illustrates why.

This technology includes what is called Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which monitors all sorts of inputs and automatically decides whether the car's 3.5-litre V6 engine needs to use all six cylinders or if it can run on three or four cylinders instead.
And it does all of this so seamlessly that those aboard have absolutely no idea that the Honda's computer magic is doing anything at all - that it is constantly checking out throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, automatic transmission gear selection and other factors in the interests of providing the most appropriate performance for the job at hand.
So, if the Accord is accelerating or overtaking, the V6 runs as a full six to unleash its full 202 kilowatts of power and 340 Newton metres of torque.
If the car is cruising at speed, however, and doesn't need quite that power, it'll drop one cylinder from each bank and run as a V4. And if the cruising is really easy and relaxed, the engine will drop one entire bank and run on the other bank's three cylinders.
All this contributes to a big sedan that on one hand is capable of offering the driver some very good performance potential, but on the other hand is capable of achieving an average fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

And it does it all so unobtrusively, too.
Recently, I was reunited with the V6 Accord when I had the opportunity to spend a few days behind the wheel of a freshly facelifted VL model - the so-called base version that retails for $56,600.
Up until about a year ago, the base car was a VS version that cost considerably less, but it didn't have all the goodies such as full leather and a high-quality audio system, and Honda New Zealand found that customers preferred the high-grade model anyway, so it dropped it from the range.
That means that these days there is the VL, which for another $3070 can be up-specced to a Sport via installation of such things as aerodynamic side skirts and a rear spoiler of the customer's choice. And for a few thousand more - to $67,335 - the Accord can be given the Mugen treatment. This level adds all sorts of beaut things such as a bigger alloys, unique aerodynamic stuff, and a performance-oriented stainless- steel exhaust system.
Anyway, back to the base VL.
The facelift has been relatively minor, with the only exterior changes being new styling to the front bumper and grille, introduction of different detailing on the boot lid and rear lights, and installation of new-look 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
Honda says these features combine to create a more aggressive look to the car. That's fine, but I always thought the Accord V6 looked pretty aggressive anyway thanks to a pronounced crease that runs down the length of the shoulder of the car, smoothly joining the top of the tail lights, which then join a line that runs straight across the rear of the boot.
The car now gets integrated dual parking sensors at the front, and four at the rear.
Inside, the V6 Accord's centre panel has been modified slightly to make it easier to use, the vehicle now comes with full connectivity for however those aboard wish to source their music, and it has a new jack-knife key fob with window up/down and sunroof open/close functions paired with the driver's door lock activation.
So that's not much - not really. But it doesn't really matter, because I've always considered the V6 Accord to be a very good car anyway, and its looks and level of equipment are still right up there with the best of them.
And I really enjoy the performance. The V6 engine is nicely powerful, and I like the idea of it boasting an official fuel consumption of 9.9 L/100km, but with the ability to do much better than that, as was proved with the 7.84 L/100 km achieved in last year's Energywise rally.
The driver can have some control over this by taking notice of a dash-mounted 'Eco' light that turns on during economical driving. But quiet and relaxed driving will achieve improved fuel consumption anyway.
Being an American-designed sedan for American-sized people, the V6 Accord offers good room front and rear, and the front seats are unusually large.
All this contributes to a sedan that has a distinctively luxurious feel to it. It rides well, too. The vehicle boasts a double wishbone front suspension that uses both lower and upper control links for predictable cornering feel. The multi-link rear suspension has high lateral stability when more spirited driving is desired.
And if that sort of driving gets too over the top, then the car can help with such aids as electronic stability control.
It also has four-wheel ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, front, side and curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. That's a lot of equipment, and it all adds up to a Honda that continues to be a very good drive.
You could say that the facelift doesn't actually amount to much - but that it doesn't matter.
- Taranaki Daily News