HONDA ACCORD

COUPE

HANDLINGROADHOLDING, 300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD ................ 0.86 gUNDERSTEER ...................... MODERATE

TEST NOTES: In manual mode, the 1-2 shift is automatic. Gears 2 through 4 are held until the driver commands the upshift. Best launch is achieved by rolling into the throttle to minimize wheelspin.

TEST NOTES: Not happy at the limit while turning right. Reluctant to settle into a smooth, steady cornering path. No such problem turning left. Grip is only adequate.

INTERIOR SOUND LEVELIDLE .............................................. 39 dBAFULL THROTTLE ......................... 83 dBA70-MPH CRUISING ....................... 71 dBA

FUELCAPACITY .................................... 17.2 galOCTANE ......................... 87 recommendedEPA CITY/HWY ...................... 21/32 mpg C/D OBSERVED ...................... 26 mpg

WEIGHTCURB ............................................. 3525 lbPER HORSEPOWER ...................... 12.7 lbDISTRIBUTION .......... F: 62.8% R: 37.2%CENTER–OF–GRAVITY HEIGHT ...... 21.5 in

TEST NOTES: While the brake pedal feels spongy, stopping distances are in the all-season-tire range. A mile or two of cooling remedied the slight fade experienced after five back-to-back stops.

BRAKING, 70-TO-ZERO MPHFIRST STOP .................................... 169 ftSHORTEST STOP .......................... 169 ftLONGEST STOP .............................. 177 ftFADE RATING .............................. SLIGHT

ACCELERATIONZERO TO SECONDS

30 MPH ................................................ 2.2 40 MPH ................................................. 3.150 MPH ................................................ 4.260 MPH .......................................... 5.5 70 MPH ................................................. 7.180 MPH ............................................... 8.890 MPH ................................................ 11.1100 MPH ...................................... 13.8110 MPH .............................................. 16.8120 MPH ............................................. 20.9

ROLLING START, 5–60 MPH ............. 5.9 TOP GEAR, 30–50 MPH .................... 3.3TOP GEAR, 50–70 MPH .................... 4.21/4-MILE .............. 14.1 sec @ 101 mphTOP SPEED (GOV LTD) ................. 125 mph

C OM PET ITOR SFORD MUSTANG (3.7-LITER V-6, 305 HP, 6-SP MAN)HONDA ACCORD EX-L V-6 (3.5-LITER V-6, 278 HP, 6-SP AUTO)HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE 3.8 (3.8-LITER V-6, 348 HP, 8-SP AUTO)VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TURBO (2.0-LITER INLINE-4, 200 HP, 6-SP AUTO)

70-0 BRAKING feet

MUSTANG GENESISACCORDBEETLE

140 150 160 170 180

ROADHOLDING 300-foot skidpad, g

MUSTANGGENESISACCORDBEETLE

0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95 1.00

N O TA B L E H I G H L I G H T SThe rubber-isolated front subframe consists of die-cast aluminum and stamped-steel components joined by friction stir welding. The camshafts are belt driven and the rear cylinder bank’s valves close when the V-6 enters fuel-saving mode, operating as an inline-3.

tested by K.C. COLWELL in Chelsea, Michigan

SPE CI F IC AT IONSPRICEAS TESTED ......................................... $33,140BASE ................................................... $31,140VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe OPTIONS: navigation system, $2000; automatic transmission, $0STANDARD: power windows, driver’s seat, locks, and sunroof; remote locking; cruise control; tilting and telescoping steering wheelAUDIO SYSTEM: satellite radio; CD player; media storage; minijack, USB, media-card, and Bluetooth-audio inputs; 7 speakers

ENGINEV-6, aluminum block and headsBORE X STROKE .... 3.50 x 3.66 in, 89.0 x 93.0 mmDISPLACEMENT ....................... 212 cu in, 3471 ccCOMPRESSION RATIO ............................... 10.5:1FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .............. port injection VALVE GEAR: single overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder, variable intake-valve timing and liftREDLINE/FUEL CUTOFF ............. 6800/6900 rpm POWER ............................... 278 hp @ 6200 rpmTORQUE ........................... 252 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm

DRIVETRAINTRANSMISSION .............. 6-speed automatic with

manual shifting modeFINAL-DRIVE RATIO .................................. 3.94:1

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONSWHEELBASE ................................. 107.3 inLENGTH ...................................... 189.2 inWIDTH .......................................... 72.8 inHEIGHT ........................................ 56.5 inFRONT TRACK .............................. 62.4 inREAR TRACK ................................ 62.4 inGROUND CLEARANCE ..................... 5.6 inINTERIOR DIMENSIONSSAE VOLUME ........... F: 54 cu ft R: 40 cu ftTRUNK ......................................... 13 cu ft

WHEELS AND TIRES:WHEEL SIZE/CONSTRUCTION ....... 8.0 x 18 in/

cast aluminumTIRES ...................... Michelin Primacy MXM4

235/45R-18 94V M+S

GEAR RATIO MPH PER MAX SPEED 1000 RPM IN GEAR (rpm)1 ........ 3.36 ..... 5.7 .............. 36 mph (6300)

2 ........ 2.10 ...... 9.2 .............. 63 mph (6900)3 ........ 1.49 ...... 13.0 ............. 89 mph (6900)4 ........ 1.07 ...... 18.1 .............. 125 mph (6900)5 ........ 0.75 ...... 25.6 ............ 125 mph (4900)6 ........ 0.56 ..... 34.7 ............. 125 mph (3600)

CHASSISunit construction with 2 rubber-isolated subframesBODY MATERIAL: steel stampings

STEERINGrack-and-pinion with variable electric power assist RATIO ..................................................... 13.5:1 TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK ................................. 2.5TURNING CIRCLE CURB-TO-CURB ............ 39.0 ft

SUSPENSIONF: ind, strut located by a control arm, coil springs, anti-roll barR: ind; 1 control arm, 1 diagonal link, 1 lateral link, and a toe-control link per side; coil springs; anti-roll bar

BRAKESF: 11.5 x 1.0-in vented discR: 11.1 x 0.4-in discSTABILITY CONTROL: fully defeatable

CAR AND DRIVER TEST RESULTS

ACCELERATION 0–60 & 1/4-mile, seconds

MUSTANGACCORDGENESISBEETLE

4 5 6 13 14 15

CURRENT BASE PRICE* dollars x 1000*Base price includes freight, any performance options, and applicable gas-guzzler tax.

MUSTANGBEETLEACCORDGENESIS

20 25 30 35