Honda reveals new US Accord Coupe

Honda’s US Accord has never been a car to set the pulse racing – but this new coupe version, shown as a production-ready concept, could change the perception of the car.

The US Accord is these days very different from the European version – it’s a bigger and bulkier car, with more conservative styling. But it’s a string seller, second only to the Toyota Camry in the US car sales table. American Honda Motor Co senior vice president John Mendel said it was “the single most important product in Honda's line-up”.

The two-door coupe will have a V6 engine, together with next-generation variable cylinder management technology, which switches to four-cylinder operation in certain driving conditions in order to save fuel.

Honda has in the past exported US-built Accord and Civic coupes to Europe, but it’s unlikely to sell this car – even though it would provide a serious rival to the Peugeot 407 coupe. Production will start before the end of the year.