Smaller outside, roomier inside

 

Honda revealed its all-new 2013 Accord Coupe earlier this week, with styling that appears more of an evolution of the old design rather than anything revolutionary. At first glance the car’s overall shape, especially the hard points of its greenhouse, appears identical, while front detailing shows subtle progression, and the rear design is a distinct departure, with an elegant curving beltline that angles up and over the rear wheel arches to culminate in a swooping rear deck lid spoiler. Whereas the new Accord Coupe’s grille and headlights appear similar to the outgoing model’s front-end design, its taillights are entirely new in shape, with a leaner, sportier design that should appeal to Honda’s performance car fans.

 

Honda took a similar approach in redesigning its popular Civic Coupe for the 2012 model year, with a familiar look from the front, but all-new taillights, and no doubt is hoping the conservative redesign of its Accord Coupe will keep current customers happy while appealing to owners of personal coupes from other brands.

 

This said the midsize personal coupe segment has shrunk over the last decade, with more models dropped than added. For instance, the G6 Coupe left the scene when the entire Pontiac brand was discontinued as part of General Motors’ restructuring, although Nissan saw fit to add a two-door variant to its previous generation Altima lineup. Currently, the Altima Coupe is the only direct competitor to the Accord Coupe, with the Mitsubishi Eclipse offering a front-wheel drive alternative with less rear seat room, and rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, and Hyundai Genesis Coupe, plus slightly smaller Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ rivals all targeting a more performance-oriented buyer. Chrysler offers a two-door 200, but only in convertible trim, while Volkswagen does likewise with its more compact Eos. The future of the Accord Coupe’s only true opponent is unsure, however, as unlike the Altima sedan, which was completely redesigned for 2013, the 2013 Altima Coupe will not get any updates and only be available in one four-cylinder/CVT trim level, which minimizes its competitiveness against the new 2013 Accord Coupe.

 

Speaking of CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) technology, the 2013 Accord Coupe may incorporate the fuel-efficient alternative in less performance-oriented trim levels, as reported by Automotive News, while those models targeting sports car buyers will continue to offer a six-speed manual. The various transmissions will accompany an all-new lineup of engines that Honda calls “Earth Dreams” for lessening Honda’s overall carbon footprint. The brand’s new powertrains are claimed to reduce fuel consumption by 10-percent, says the Automotive News story.

 

While not lifting the hood of its 2013 Accord Coupe yet, Honda has revealed that it will offer some top-tier premium safety features in its more luxuriously appointed model. On the menu will be Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and a Honda exclusive, LaneWatch blind spot detection. And if merely considering LED technology as a safety advantage, new LED daytime running lamps, headlamps and taillights, which react faster than traditional bulbs, improve the new Accord Coupe’s visibility to surrounding traffic. The fact that LEDs up the ante in the styling department is just a side benefit.

 

The new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe, shorter than its predecessor from end to end yet offering more interior room, will go on sale this fall. Expect more details closer to its official launch date.

 

Story credits: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press Inc.

Photo credits: Honda

Copyright: Canadian Auto Press Inc.