New Delhi: Honda Siel Cars India through which Japanese auto giant Honda Motor Co operates in India, has announced the launch of its eighth generation Honda Accord in India. The company will offer the new Honda Accord in three variants - Accord 2.4, Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire with prices ranging between Rs16.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and Rs18.14 lakh.

Launched in the US in 2007, the eighth generation Accord comes with a larger wheel base, an advanced and a more powerful engine while its length and width has been increased by 80 mm and 25 mm.

Powered by a 2.4li-VTEC engine the eighth generation Accord is E10 (10 per cent ethanol and 90 per cent unleaded petrol) compatible. It is also powered by an engine that gives power of 180 PS, which is higher than the phased out Accord.

The company has also upgraded the engine to meet Euro IV emission limits while the fuel efficiency of the car has been improved by 8 per cent.

Equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and manual transmission with a unique 'paddle shift' option that can be operated using F1-racing inspired paddle switches, the chassis and body of the car have been renewed by introduction of the latest Honda technology to achieve best in class handling. This along with variable gear ratio steering the new Accord responds faster and is more nimble despite its bigger size.

Safety features include six air bags  equipped with advanced compatibility engineering (ACE) body and G-Force Controlled (G-CON) technology for additional safety of passengers during a collision.

Its interiors includes eight-way power seat adjustments with lumbar support, tilt and telescopic steering wheels, an advanced audio system, with a central multi selector USB port.

The Honda Accord has not been on sale since December 2007 in India as Honda Siel Cars halted its production after the launch of the eighth generation Honda Accord in the US in 2007 and after its launch in the US, sales of the seventh generation Accord began falling in India. This was due to the fact that Indian consumers began to consciously wait for the launch of the new model in India. Honda Siel had to then first taper production and later halt it altogether. 

In December, the company sold around 64 units as against 268 units sold in November 2007, a fall of 76.12 per cent. In India Honda sells only the Accord in the premium segment. It has so far been the largest selling car in its category.

The Honda was redesigned in the latter half of 2007, and car experts in the US describe the 2008 Honda Accord as a better-driving, better-looking, better-functioning family sedan that will continue to please its loyalists. The reviewers decribe the Accord is one of the best all-around packages in this class.

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