25th Birthday party for Accord

COMMEMORATING the 25th year since the Accord first landed on Australian soil, Honda has released a limited-edition model with a claimed $2000 worth of additional features.

Offered until 31 March 2002, the 25th Anniversary Accord is based on the V6L model and adds to the mix a five-year/140,000km warranty (up two years and 40,000km) with roadside assistance, an alarm, tailored floor mats, unique badging and protectors for the headlights and bonnet.

The recommended retail price remains at $49,100.

Other equipment already standard on the V6-powered Accord includes dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, leather upholstery, radio-cassette stereo with six-stack CD, air-conditioning, cruise control, power windows, remote central locking and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The 25th Anniversary Accord is obvious action by Honda to turn around a sales decline triggered by dramatic price increases for the range in April 2001. In 2001 it sold 1880 Accords, compared to 2765 in 2000.

Meanwhile, Honda has kept its promise to add value to the under-performing Civic range with anti-lock brakes to be fitted standard to the 2002 model year sedan and hatch on sale from this week - with no increase to the RRP.

Remaining firm at $23,950 (without air-con), the entry-level GLi sedan - which is now built in Thailand - also gains alloy wheels, body coloured rubbing strips, a full-size spare wheel, in-glass radio antenna and revisions to the interior trim and centre console.

The range-topping Vi hatchback, unaltered apart from the ABS, continues from $26,950.