Honda unveils 'King of Jungle' Accord

Nigerians have a way of naming vehicles based on their design, performance and acceptability.

The nicknames expectedly come after their introduction into the automobile market and must have been observed over a period of time.

But that may not be the case with the ninth generation Honda Accord, which has just been introduced to Nigeria.

The car has an alias already. It is King of Jungle. It got this nickname on the unveiling day in Lagos, courtesy of the Honda Place, an authorised dealer/distributor of the Honda brand of vehicles.

Previous editions of the Accord have been called all kinds of names locally such as 'Baby Boy', 'Halla', End of Discussion and 'Discussion Continues.'

Naming the new Accord King of Jungle has nothing to do with off-road performance. It does lay claim to being an SUV.

Although it is designed as a family sedan, the eight generation Accord offers the versatility of a premium car.

According to the firm, the car not only competes in the midsize sedan market, but is also the leader of the pack.

The 2013 Honda Accord was first presented to the Nigerian motoring journalists for a short test drive before the unveiling in the presence of large crowd of top business executives and new car enthusiasts in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Head of Sales and Marketing, the Honda Place, Mr. Deepak Daryanani, at a media presentation of the new Accord described the new Accord as an epitome of fuel economy and 'King of the Jungle.'

According to him, the 2013 Accord is exceptionally crafted as a masterpiece with dynamic and prestigious agile demeanor in line with Honda's design philosophy.

Daryanani also said the Accord had been detailed with premium accessory such as LED head lamps, earth dream technology and paddle shift gear to give the car a deserving character.

Honda says it has brought a lot of innovation into the new vehicle, including the Lane watch system, which uses a camera to show a wider view of the passenger-side roadway.

The first Accord was introduced 37 years ago; thus the company says the latest model marks the beginning of the production of the ninth generation Accord.

Remarkably loaded with distinctive features such as Bluetooth, parking sensors, retractable side mirrors, the new Accord replaces the eighth generation model which ruled the global automobile market from 2008 to 2012.

Exterior

Many attest to the claim that the Accord's new look is a big improvement over the last generation's.

For instance, when compared to the last generation, its roofline is much sleeker, and the rear, more chiselled and less rounded.

Honda is said to have meticulously improved on the new model to outperform competitions while it reintegrates the sporty driving dynamics of much earlier Accords.

The vehicle's trunk is huge.

The firm also notes that Accord, currently one of the most aggressive models in the Honda line-up, significantly reviewed the seventh generation (2004-2006) for the first time, with freshened exterior styling, more power and stability control, as did minor modifications to trim level organisation.

Interior

Those familiar with the previous editions will notice that the biggest changes in the 2013 Accord are found in the interior.

For instance, the dash and centre stack are streamlined, and shiny chrome accents replace the faux-wood trim, making the Accord to now look classy and refined.

The ninth generation Accord comes with innovations such as classy cabin space and almost a cubic foot more cargo volume.

It has an incomparable cockpit-like interior and improved three-eye instrument panel with large dial plate.

Other attractive features are the car's new electric power steering with non-contact torque sensor for linear steering feel and world's first steel and aluminum bonded front surface.

Engine

The new Accord comes with 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Daryanani affirmed that only only the standard LX and EXL 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine with 173 bhp, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission would be available in Nigeria.

Safety

Its popular but unique safety feature is the Lane watch system, which uses a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror; and when a right-hand turn is signalled, the image is shown on i-MID screen. It allows the driver to see if there are any cars in that blind spot.

It also has standard front-wheel drive, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, an electronic stability system with traction control, a backup camera and six airbags.

Honda said the reintroduction of second generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure would reinforce the brand's safety leadership.

According to Daryanani, this commitment to safety is rooted in the longstanding Honda goal to be a company that prioritises safety of drivers and other road users.

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Original Page: http://www.punchng.com/business/transport/honda-unveils-king-of-jungle-accord/