Hot on the heels of Honda's debut of the North American Accord, Honda of Europe is prepping for the debut of the Accord Tourer Concept in Frankfurt. The precursor to the next Accord for the European market will show in a wagon guise. There's talks of whether the next Accord will continue its role as the Acura TSX in North America. Honda did not release any further details, not even a teaser shot to get us ramped. The next-generation European Accord will go on sale in mid-2008. Continue reading to view the preliminary press release. (Image is current generation)[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE: HONDA TO PRESENT ACCORD TOURER CONCEPT AT FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW
Honda will present the world debut of an exciting Accord Tourer Concept at the forthcoming 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. A press conference will be held on the Honda stand in Hall 5 on the first Press Day, 11 September, between 13.15 and 13.45.
The Accord Tourer Concept gives an indication of the design direction for the next generation Accord – on sale in the UK from mid-2008. Its wider, lower look signals a more sporty styling approach. Innovative chassis technology will deliver an involving driving experience without compromising ride comfort. It will be powered by a range of advanced, low emissions engines.
The Honda stand will also feature a selection of models from the current car range, as well as a comprehensive line-up of motorcycles and power equipment products. In addition, stand visitors will be welcomed by several displays of Honda's unique innovation, including the ASIMO humanoid robot, Honda solar panels and HondaJet.
The stand follows two key themes: Sports and the Environment.
The Environment area showcases Honda's ground-breaking 'greener' technologies, with a focus on our petrol-electric hybrid models. This will include the Small Hybrid Sports Concept – first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this year – which demonstrates the rare fusion of advanced hybrid technology and exciting sports car characteristics.
Alongside it will be an example of Honda's next-generation clean diesel engine, a production Civic Hybrid and the latest driveable FCX Concept fuel cell car, with its fully-functioning, zero-emissions fuel cell technology. A production version of the FCX Concept will go on sale in the US and Japan next year.
The Sports area of the stand will include Honda's current F1 racing car – the RA107 piloted by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello – alongside Civic Type R and Honda S2000 production models. There will also be a strong emphasis on our motorsport heritage and alongside the latest F1 car will be one of Honda's first racers: the 1967 RA300.
The phenomenal success of Honda in motorcycle racing is an important part of the company's sporting history, so we'll have some examples of our race-winning machinery on display. As well as the Repsol Honda RC212V from this year's MotoGP series – raced by Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden – there'll be the HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade that John McGuinness rode to the 130mph average speed lap record at this year's Isle of Man TT races.
Finally, the line-up of production motorcycles includes the world's first production motorcycle airbag system, available on the new Gold Wing, which can help lessen the severity of injuries caused by frontal collisions.
