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A groundbreaker in its class, the Accord Euro wowed both local and international motoring writers when it was first launched in 2003, also winning numerous readers’ choice awards for its performance and style. Accolades include: • New Zealand Car of the Year 2003 (Motoring Writers’ Guild) • AAutocar Readers’ Choice Car of the Year 2004 • National Business Review Car of the Year 2003 • Sunday Star-Times Medium Car of the Year 2003 • The Press (Christchurch) Readers’ Choice Award 2003 • The Dominion Post Readers’ Choice Award 2003 • BBC Top Gear Best Medium Car UK 2003 HONDA’S AWARD-WINNING ACCORD EURO HAS HAD A SUBTLE DESIGN UPGRADE TO TAKE IT INTO 2006.
• Auto Express (UK) Best Family Car 2003 A “DOSE OF AUTOMOTIVE VIAGRA” is how one motoring writer country’s premier and only national car award – assessing new- described the award-winning Honda Accord Euro when it first model cars on criteria that included performance, design, ride and burst on to the scene. Elegant, innovative and a great driver’s car handling, safety, value for money and environmental care.
with spectacular handling, it set a new performance benchmark Taking Honda’s experience in Formula One racing to Europe, With strong European-influenced form and presence, the Euro the Honda team worked with some of the world’s most talented challenged perceptions of the mid-sized sedan. A definitive style designers and test drivers to create a driver’s car without statement – from its aerodynamic curves to its sophisticated use of technology – the all-new 2003 model combined top- The Euro’s impressive handling is the product of exhaustive level safety features with sheer on-the-road class for consumers chassis and suspension development on Honda’s Takasu proving wanting high-quality motoring at exceptional value. ground and Grand Prix circuits in Japan, and Germany’s legendary Improving on the Accord Euro isn’t easy but that’s exactly what Nurburgring. Double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension Honda has done with a subtle design upgrade to relaunch the is tuned to be responsive and stable at high speeds, giving a smooth ride as it maintains a vice-like grip on the road. “The Euro already provides more drive with more specifications Available as a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with than anything else in the market,” says Honda New Zealand Sportshift, it’s powered by Honda’s i-VTEC “thinking” engine Marketing Manager Graeme Meyer. “There was little to add – a world leader in engine technology – delivering both power to the car because it already had everything. Now, with a light and economy exactly when they’re needed.
retouch, you can start the New Year with a new look to the best The aerodynamic design has a drag coefficient of just 0.26, virtually eliminating wind noise and reducing fuel consumption. This fresh makeover makes first impressions count, with a Electronic sensors continuously monitor the movement of the restyled grille and air-scoop treatment complemented by a accelerator pedal for drive-by-wire throttle control, ensuring smoothing touch to the rear and updated 17-inch alloy 10-spoke super-smooth gear transition and maximum performance.
Of course, safety is also paramount. Crash-tested Inside the cabin, the instrument panel includes a three-dial at Honda’s world-leading facility in Tochigi, the Euro’s skin cluster illuminated in a different colour, while the steering wheel cloaks a reinforced steel cage with side-intrusion beams and has a thicker grip. A new trip computer makes touring a dream, passenger-safety zones. Standard features include four airbags, with instant fuel read-outs, your average speed and how far you ABS anti-lock braking, Electronic Brake Distribution and can travel before the tank runs empty. Just cycle through the Emergency Brake Assist to reduce stopping distance. Traction options available as you drive and the latest information is at Control prevents wheels slipping during acceleration while your fingertips. As a finishing touch, the shift knob has a new Vehicle Stability Assist gives extra confidence and control on design on both automatic and manual models.
What hasn’t changed is the way the car drives. “Graceful Despite class-beating power, both the manual and automatic and elegant, the Accord Euro impresses with its integration are leaders in low-fuel consumption – a necessity rather than of practicality and performance,” raves Australian specialist a luxury in a time of volatile petrol prices – with both models capable of an impressive 6.6 litres per 100km.
First launched in 2003, the Euro won over both professional This is unquestionably a complete car – with design flair motoring writers and the motoring public alike. In New Zealand, it that’s moved with the times. We don’t do it often, but this was voted Car of the Year in AAutocar’s Readers’ Choice Awards. time we’ll give the last word to the Aussies: “Fair dinkum, But the real icing on the cake was winning the New Zealand the Honda Accord Euro can only be described as a stunner,” The 2006 Accord Euro is put through its paces at Motoring Writers’ Guild title for New Zealand Car of the Year – the Honda’s high-speed Takasu test circuit in Japan.
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Source: http://www.honda.co.nz/assets/Eclipse/content200512/drive.pdf