Honda Europe Marks 2006 with Innovative Safety Features
This year's Frankfurt Motor Show is going to be an event to remember for Honda's European division. It's the show that they've chosen to debut their rather risqué, all-new Honda Civic hatchback at, one of the most
important vehicles to the brand. While we've had a closer look at the new European-spec Civic, Honda will also be showing off several revised vehicles, responsible for keeping the brand's image and product lineup current with the fast-paced European market.
The first product on the bill is the European Accord, sold in North America as the Acura TSX. It goes under the knife for the first time since its launch in 2002 taking up a mild facelift. New more angular headlamps, a revised grille with chrome trim outline, new bumpers and hood are a part of the visual update; the sharp-looking tail end features a new rear bumper, new bezels, and a new side sill garnish. While it is not offered in North America, similar changes plus chrome-plated quarter mouldings and longer roof rails will also be made to the Accord Tourer, the station wagon variant.
Inside, minor interior changes will be made to both the sedan and the Tourer. They include a new three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with thicker hand grips and chrome garnish, as well as new electroluminescent gauges that have easier to read fonts. New shift knobs for the manual
and automatic gearboxes are also included. Navigation-equipped models will now feature an RDS function, which locates traffic jams or delays, and is able to recalculate a route automatically. It's similar to the AcuraLink found in the new RL sedan.
Mechanically, the 2.0 litre I-4 VTEC engine (Not sold in North America) receives electronic drive-by-wire which enables peak power and torque to be reached at 500 rpm lower, while the award-winning diesel (Hate it? Change it! advertisement included) now has a sixth gear in its manual gearbox.
This year's Frankfurt Motor Show is going to be an event to remember for Honda's European division. It's the show that they've chosen to debut their rather risqué, all-new Honda Civic hatchback at, one of the most
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| The first product on the bill is the European Accord, sold in North America as the Acura TSX. (Photo: Honda) |
The first product on the bill is the European Accord, sold in North America as the Acura TSX. It goes under the knife for the first time since its launch in 2002 taking up a mild facelift. New more angular headlamps, a revised grille with chrome trim outline, new bumpers and hood are a part of the visual update; the sharp-looking tail end features a new rear bumper, new bezels, and a new side sill garnish. While it is not offered in North America, similar changes plus chrome-plated quarter mouldings and longer roof rails will also be made to the Accord Tourer, the station wagon variant.
Inside, minor interior changes will be made to both the sedan and the Tourer. They include a new three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with thicker hand grips and chrome garnish, as well as new electroluminescent gauges that have easier to read fonts. New shift knobs for the manual
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| Inside, minor interior changes will be made to both the sedan and the Tourer. (Photo: Honda) |
Mechanically, the 2.0 litre I-4 VTEC engine (Not sold in North America) receives electronic drive-by-wire which enables peak power and torque to be reached at 500 rpm lower, while the award-winning diesel (Hate it? Change it! advertisement included) now has a sixth gear in its manual gearbox.