Of course, you could make do with the small 4-cylinder mill producing 190 horsepower, but the top-of-the-line EX-L V6 model (as tested), which uses a different version of the sedan's 268-hp engine, offers a lot more low-end grunt (max torque is rated at 248 lb-ft).
Almost German-like
I can hear German car purists get all riled up. "Those who dare to compare a Honda with a German ought to be silenced" is what they're probably saying. That's because they haven't tried the 2008 Accord Coupe.
It may not handle as remarkably, but the improvement over the previous generation is so great that the gap is no longer that noticeable. The steering is very precise and predictable, allowing the driver to maintain a near-perfect trajectory in all circumstances.
While accelerations are not as breathtaking as one might be led to believe, the Accord Coupe unhesitatingly shows just how powerful it can be during passing maneuvers and top-speed driving.
The 6-speed manual transmission is pleasant to work with, although the third gear has a tendency to flat-out disobey at times, causing some jerky action during quick shifts. A 5-speed autobox is optionally available should you prefer to let the car do the work.
Fuel economy seemed a bit disappointing despite Honda's Advanced Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. While I was careful not to be overly aggressive during my test week, I couldn't manage a better result than 13.2 L/100 km (combined city-highway).
New and improved
In the end, I ask the question: is the new 2008 Honda Accord -- coupe or sedan -- different enough to convince those who had never considered buying a Honda? I must say I have a few doubts. Don't get me wrong, it's a quality automobile in every respect. However, it's still missing a little bit of "oompf", if you know what I mean. Too bad because it really deserves all your attention.
photo:Marc Bouchard
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| The top-of-the-line EX-L V6 model (as tested) uses a different version of the sedan's 268-hp engine. |
Almost German-like
I can hear German car purists get all riled up. "Those who dare to compare a Honda with a German ought to be silenced" is what they're probably saying. That's because they haven't tried the 2008 Accord Coupe.
It may not handle as remarkably, but the improvement over the previous generation is so great that the gap is no longer that noticeable. The steering is very precise and predictable, allowing the driver to maintain a near-perfect trajectory in all circumstances.
While accelerations are not as breathtaking as one might be led to believe, the Accord Coupe unhesitatingly shows just how powerful it can be during passing maneuvers and top-speed driving.
The 6-speed manual transmission is pleasant to work with, although the third gear has a tendency to flat-out disobey at times, causing some jerky action during quick shifts. A 5-speed autobox is optionally available should you prefer to let the car do the work.
Fuel economy seemed a bit disappointing despite Honda's Advanced Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. While I was careful not to be overly aggressive during my test week, I couldn't manage a better result than 13.2 L/100 km (combined city-highway).
New and improved
In the end, I ask the question: is the new 2008 Honda Accord -- coupe or sedan -- different enough to convince those who had never considered buying a Honda? I must say I have a few doubts. Don't get me wrong, it's a quality automobile in every respect. However, it's still missing a little bit of "oompf", if you know what I mean. Too bad because it really deserves all your attention.
 |
| That being said, looks and presence are not the main reasons why buyers opt for the Accord Coupe. |
photo:Marc Bouchard
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