- Expected Launch: March 2010 (expect it to be showcased at the ‘Expo)
- Price: 21.5 lakh (On-Road)
Motoroids’ very own Rash a.k.a Rohit Paradkar caught a diesel engined Accord undergoing ARAI testing on the streets of Pune city. The Indian Accord is similar to those which Honda sells in markets like the US and South-East Asia. But a diesel engined variant is not available in either of those markets. However, thanks to popularity of diesels in India and the fact that the new Skoda Superb has been spoiling Honda’s party in the marketplace, the excellent i-DTEC mill from the European Accord might soon find its way under our Accord’s hood.
The 2.2-litre, DOHC, inline-4 from the ‘biggest engine manufacturers in the world’ is touted as one of the best in the business. It delivers a peak power of 148bhp@4000rpm and 350Nm of torque at just 2000 rpm. The engine is good enough to propel the portly Honda from 0 to 100 kph in 9.7 secs and to a top speed of 210 kph. The oil-burner is known to be supremely refined and pull well from low engine speeds.
If Honda does manage to keep the price in check, the Accord will definitely become the unchallenged segment leader it was for the last decade.
Mihir Gadre