MK8 Accord

HONDA released its eighth-generation Accord in early 2008. Instantly recognisable is the fact that this is the largest model in the series’ 32-year history.

Dubbed the CP Accord, it also brings more power, space, economy, refinement, technology, and environmental friendliness, as well as a new look, to Honda’s large front-wheel drive family car.

The V6 versions introduce new three-stage Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that shuts down part of the available V6 engine in the interests of economy and emissions.

All models include automatic transmission, VSA stability control and at least four airbags.

In the VTi and VTi Luxury, power comes via a revised version of the 2.4-litre i-VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine.

Aimed at buyers of the Toyota Camry, Ford Mondeo and Holden Epica, it produces 133kW of power at 6500rpm (up 8kW over the outgoing 2.4 – the upshot of a higher compression ratio and engine tuning) and 222Nm of torque at 4300rpm (up from 218Nm).

Meanwhile, consumers of six-cylinder vehicles such as the Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Toyota Aurion are again offered an Accord V6.

It uses a new 3.5-litre single-cam i-VTEC Euro IV V6 instead, delivering 202kW at 6200rpm and 339Nm at 5000rpm.

This is the engine with VCM that, depending on driving conditions, operates on three, four or all six cylinders. It helps the Accord V6 return 10L/100km – a 0.6L/100km improvement over the previous model – and a 239g/km CO2 rating versus 252 – and again on 91 RON fuel.

With no manual on offer, both powerplants employ an electronically controlled five-speed automatic gearbox with Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control, for altered shift programming according to whether the car is travelling up or down hill.