When shopping for wheels in the entry-level sector of the medium-sized performance saloon market, you basically have two serious choices: impress your friends with your originality and opt for the undoubtedly dominating traditional German saloon, or reward your obviously superior intellect by placing yourself in the hugging embrace of the latest offering from Honda Motor Company, a fully imported and very, very styling Accord Type-S.
Honda has, through previous Mercedes-Benz South Africa affiliation, been supplying the local market with reliable, must-have cars for more than two years. Since taking over operations in South Africa, Honda Motor Company has been aggressively introducing several new models locally — and sales have soared. With the introduction of the Accord and the Jazz, Honda now has models in six segments of the local car market and, in a first for the Car of the Year awards, has two models in this year’s competition line-up.
The nature of the beast is apparent at first glance: muscular, low-slung and very fast. Whichever way you look at it, the Type-S is just one of those cars that make you wish you’d had something for breakfast.
The Accord’s stealth appearance closely resembles the spade front-end design of its closest Japanese rival, the Mazda6. The beautifully sloping front-end threatens performance while the rising waistline leads up to the short bootlid and drops sharply to end close to the road.
Design integration of the long and slender clear lens headlights, which slope down into the chrome V-shaped grill, emphasises the huge Honda badge. The narrow body-panel spacing is a subtle detail that adds tons to the car’s appeal and helps achieve the slippery drag co-efficient of 0,26.
A smooth, yet very direct, six-speed manual gearbox manages delivery of the 140kW generated by the 2,4 litre four cylinder i-VTec engine, while excess power is tamed by the vehicle’s stability assistance that prevents too much rubber-loss under hard take-off.
Claimed peak performance is at 6 850rpm, where 140kW of excitement is unleashed and a claimed 220Nm of torque at 4 500rpm awaits. Push a little harder and this engine willingly keeps going well up to limit.
Through the six short-throw gears, you soon reach top end — estimated at 226kph — while the 100kph mark (which you left behind some time ago) is reached from standstill in 9,3 seconds.
With its double wishbone front and advanced five-link independent rear suspension, the car both clings to the hairiest of corners and soaks up most road imperfections. Steering is as balanced and precise as any of the Accord’s rivals.
High quality plastics and touches of brushed aluminium, coupled with typically Honda interior fit and finish make the interior comfortable and emphasises the fact that this is a serious driver’s car.
All entertainment system controls (with front-loading CD) are fully integrated into the dash and have satellite controls for basic functions on-the-fly. The standard climate control system is very effective and allows for separate left/right operation, while both entertainment and climate control info is displayed on a single LED screen in the centre console.
For safety, an advanced multi-stage system controls belt pre-tensioners in the front and will deploy eight air bags for front and rear passengers in keeping with the locality and severity of an impact.
At R245 000 (including three-year/60 000km maintenance plan) the Accord offers good value for money.
With two cars in the race to claim South Africa’s ultimate motoring accolade, Honda certainly has more than a fighting chance. In my mind the Accord Type-S will have both the guts and the stamina over the three gruelling test days to beat the pack and make it Honda’s first win in this competition.