Caught in the USA
What better place to develop the next (eighth) generation European Accord than in the USA, far away from prying European eyes. Maybe Honda has to rethink their strategy because our spyphotographers managed to snap some quality shots early this morning close to Honda's US facilities.
The current Euro Accord had a facelift for its 2006 model year when it received its first dose of the Sports 4 Concept styling, making it practically generation 7,5. Unclear is how much of the recently revealed Honda Accord Tourer Concept styling will make it to the eighth generation Accord.
The next gen Accord base model will probably be powered by an improved 2.4 liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine with 20 to 30 hp more than the current (166 hp) engine, have front wheel drive and with either a six-speed manual or 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The sportier Type-S should also make it to the line-up with around 260 hp coming from an up-tuned 2.3 liter turbocharged engine also used in the RDX. The Type-S is expected to have a six-speed auto/manual DSG gearbox and Honda's Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system.
The Honda Accord will also make it Stateside as the slightly modified Acura TSX (which we spotted a few months ago as a heavily camouflaged prototype). The 2008 Honda Accord will also be featured with a diesel in Europe and with current oil prices the way they are it is very well possible that the TSX will get the same engine.
