Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Honda Accord facelift launched in Malaysia - Enough tweaks to keep it fresh for awhile longer


After teasing the facelifted Honda Accord on their website, Honda Malaysia have launched the facelifted 9th Generation Honda Accord. Three variants like previously are offered. All have upgraded specs and some interior trim changes, which include redesigned front bumpers, 7 inch infotainment screen and the top of the line 2.0VTI-L and 2.4VTi-L get LED headlights to complement the LED Daytime Driving Lights.



Prices start at RM144,800 with GST and Insurance for the base 2.0 VTi, RM153,800 with GST and insurance for the 2.0 VTI-L and RM172,800 for the 2.4 VTI-L. All come with 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage at 10,000km service intervals.

The facelift brings the Accord in line with the latest Honda styling as you can see above (Accord, Civic and the City in a row). You see that big chrome grille like the new Honda Civic on this Accord. It does make this Accord look a little more sportier (and younger) than what it used to be. More YMCA than Old Folks Home.

The car looks fresh again and should still maintain its current position as the most all rounded Japanese D segment car out there in terms of what is offered (not the best in everything, but it keeps all bases well covered - good handling, decent power, pretty good NVH for a Japanese car and now, better equipment and safety levels). Expect this revision to be the one that will last till 2018-2019 when an all new Accord should emerge (and the old one turn into a Proton in 2020...haha..sorry, couldn't help it but if that does come true you heard it here first! If it doesn't, it means that I was pulling you leg lah!)

Yup. This is a better buy than the other Japanese competitors out there in my opinion. IF I am just keeping the fight amongst the Japanese cars that is..add Korean, European and even the Malaysian competitor then its a whole different ball game. But that being said, for a RM150,000 car, it offers a lot from the badge to the engineering behind it. 

This is just a typical facelift that is made in order to make things slightly fresher than before. The suspension hasn't been tweaked in any way neither is there and increase in Japanese ponies. it just gets slightly different looks and better equipment all round. Not that it needs any suspension tuning or NVH tuning. This Accord is already quite good in most aspects - remember that is has noise cancelling systems to make it the quietest Accord ever made (which is a good thing since it is supposed to be a D segment sedan and needs to be quiet). I am of the opinion that this should be good enough for the Accord to maintain its status as class leader for the moment, which is what Honda needs in this period of economic uncertainty here in Malaysia.


I had a short drive in one when it was launched in 2013, it should drive the same as that as I mentioned above that no changes were made to the handling in this facelift. 

MEDIA RELEASE
The New Honda Accord Offers New Level of Expectation in Executive Sedan


Setia Alam, 7 September 2016 – Honda Malaysia set a new benchmark for an executive sedan with the launch of the New Accord today. The redesigned 9th Generation Accord offers a great package of value for money while maintaining premium features in all variants.

The Accord which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is the flagship model of Honda. With over 75,000 units on Malaysian roads, the Accord has been consistently a favourite executive sedan since its introduction in 2001 in the country thanks to its DNA of quality, refinement and premium.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi said, “According to our internal data, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) from January to August this year fell about 15% compared to the same period last year. With our total sales from January to August 2016 at 55,751 units, we managed to maintain our position of No.1 in the Non-National segment. For this same period, our market share was around 15% and this allowed Honda to maintain the No.2 position in the overall TIV.”

“During this challenging period, customers would be more conscious in their spending and will look for a vehicle that gives not only value for money but best overall package in terms of sales and after sales. We find that Malaysian customers still favour “sedan” vehicles over other vehicle types. Therefore, it is crucial for us to be able to offer a complete sedan series to our customers. The New Accord offers a new level of expectation in the executive sedan and further completes our sedan series line-up of City, Civic and Accord in Malaysia,” added Mr. Hayashi.

Three variants of the New Accord will be offered; 2.0VTi, 2.0VTi-L and 2.4VTi-L. The highest variant is powered by Honda’s revolutionary “Earth Dreams Technology” engine for an even more exhilarated drive and better fuel efficiency.

The New Accord has been redesigned to offer a sophisticated yet masculine exterior with new front bumper design, stylish LED headlights for both front and rear, plus two-tone black and silver rims to complete the dynamic outlook. In order to meet the lifestyle of modern day executives, the New Accord has been fitted with a 7-inch Touchscreen Advanced Display Audio unit with i-MID that is Apple CarPlay compatible and Android Auto ready. Handsfree Telephone Control with Voice Recognition and MirrorLink features complete the ease of communication and entertainment on the go.


The level up premium offering of the New Accord is further enhanced with a class above features for customers. Specifically, the 2.0VTi variant now comes with features that are normally found in the higher 2.0L variant such as Smart Entry, Push Start Button and Cruise Control. At the same time, the 2.0VTi-L variant which is the current best-selling variant has been made even more attractive with a host of value added features such as Honda LaneWatch, Auto Dim Rearview Mirror, Auto Wiper, Front Passenger Power Seats, Side Airbags and Side Curtain Airbags. The features of the 2.4VTi-L variant have been further enhanced to give even higher value to customers.

With safety being always paramount to Honda, all three variants now come with six airbags, in addition to Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and ISO Fix.
With a sales target of 500 units per month, the sleek, premium executive sedan is anticipated to contribute to Honda Malaysia meeting its target of 90,000 units for this year.

Honda Malaysia is confident that the premium driving experience in an outstanding package of the New Accord will extend its popularity in the D-segment.

The New Accord with its class-leading features is the first Honda model to be offered in the brand new colour of Obsidian Blue Pearl. Other new colours that will be introduced to the New Accord line-up are White Orchid Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic. The New Accord will also be available in Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.

For customers’ convenience and greater value for money, the New Accord comes with 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage at 10,000km service intervals.

For more information on the New Accord or to book a test drive, visit any of the 88 dealers nationwide or please call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to www.honda.com.my.

New class-leading features in the New Accord.
2.0VTi
Halogen Headlights
Extended LED Daytime Running Lights
LED Front Fog Lights
Rear Fog Lights
Rear Combi Lights with Premium LED Lights
Smart Entry
17” Two-Tone Black and Silver Rims
Push Start Button
Cruise Control
7” Advanced Display Audio with i-MID (Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto Ready)
Handsfree Telephone Control with Voice Recognition
Side and Side Curtain Airbags

2.0VTi-L
Halogen Headlights
Extended LED Daytime Running Lights
Honda LaneWatch
17” Two-Tone Black and Silver Rims
Gloss Black Metallic Paint (Front Center
Console, Rear Cup Holder, Window Switch Panel)
4-Way Front Passenger Power Seat
Auto Dim Rearview Mirror
Auto Wiper with Rain Sensor
7” Advanced Display Audio with i-MID (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ready)
Side and Side Curtain Airbags

2.4VTi-L
Full LED Headlights
Rear Combi Lights with Premium LED Lights
Extended LED Daytime Running Lights
LED Active Cornering Lights
18” Two-Tone Black and Silver Rims
Gloss Black Metallic Paint (Front Center
Console, Rear Cup Holder, Window Switch Panel)
7” Advanced Display Audio with i-MID (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ready)

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