After achieving zenith in mid-sized sedan segment it seems that Japanese auto maker, Honda is eyeing to replicate success in D segment. Rumours have been doing the rounds that Honda cars India is contemplating to revive Accord model. The eight generation model was available for sale in India until December 2013 that was phased out due to insignificant sales in domestic market. During its journey of five years in India, the sedan found as many as 11,492 units of the saloon in India.It has been learnt from close sources that Honda might bring updated Accord in India by financial year 2015-2016.
Honda Cars India exhibited the saloon at the 12th edition of Delhi Motor show, though the model shown at the event was the hybrid version of the saloon. The hybrid version of the Accord sported 2.0 litre, four cylinder engine mated to an AC synchronous permanent magnet motor. At that time, HCIL did not hint the launch details of the saloon.
Honda started the year with the launch of new City sedan in both petrol and diesel variant. By the end of July Honda’s first MPV, Mobilio will be launched in India. Jazz’s new version is also under development stage and is expected to be re-launched in India by next year. Therefore, the most viable time for Accord launch seems to be after that, now it is yet hard to determine whether Honda will roll out the premium saloon in the beginning of next fiscal or towards the end of it.
Accord’s ninth generation is currently available for sale in various international markets in petrol version only. It is being expected that Honda could offer only the petrol version of the saloon in India. Hybrid version of the sedan could be offered on the high end version of line-up. Current generation Accord comes housed with a 2.4 litre, direct injected four pot engine engendering a top power of 184 hp paired to a CVT or a six-speed manual gearbox.
