- Responsive 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine
- Comfortable and spacious interior
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- Generally comfortable ride
- Variable gear steering is slow around centre and lacks feel
- Tyre roar on coarse-chip surfaces
- Dynamics fall short of Mazda GH Mazda6 , Ford Mk.4 Mondeo and Honda CU2 Accord Euro
Honda CP2.I and CP3.I Accord (2008-11)
Overview
Released in February 2008, the eighth generation Honda Accord was a large, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Ayutthaya, Thailand, the CP2 Accord was powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, while the CP3 Accord had a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. Both engines were fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission which featured Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control, enabling the transmission to compensate for up- and down-hill driving.
K24Z2 and J35Z2 engine
The 2.4-litre K24Z2 four-cylinder engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. The engine also featured Honda’s i-VTEC (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system which consisted of:
- A VTEC system which changed valve lift, timing and duration of the intake valves for low- and high- rpm (i.e. above 5000 rpm) profiles; and,
- Variable Timing Control (VTC) which continuously adjusted intake camshaft phasing.
The 3.5-litre J35Z2 V6 engine had a die-cast aluminium engine block with cast-iron cylinder sleeves, single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. This engine featured VTEC and ‘Variable Cylinder Management’ (VCM) systems, the latter enabling the engine to operate on three or four cylinders under certain conditions.
Dimensions and body
Compared to the CM5/CM6 Accord , the CP2/CP3 Accord was 115 mm longer (4945 mm), 25 mm wider (1845 mm), 20 mm taller (1475 mm) and had a 60 mm longer wheelbase (2800 mm); furthermore, boot capacity was 450 litres, while the drag coefficient was 0.31 Cd. Significantly, the Mk.8 Accord achieved a 20 per cent increase in torsional rigidity partly due to the use of high-tensile steel for 48 per cent of the body.
Steering and suspension
The CP2/CP3 Accord had variable gear ratio steering, double wishbone front suspension (with upper and lower control arms) and multi-link rear suspension (with upper A-arms, two tubular lower links and a single toe control link).
| Variants | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTi, VTi-L |
2008-11 | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 5sp auto | 133 kW at 6500 rpm | 222 Nm at 4300 rpm |
| V6 | 2008-10 | 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 202 kW at 6200 rpm | 339 Nm at 5000 rpm |
| V6 Luxury | 2008-11 |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Accord VTi included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
The Accord VTi-L, V6 and V6 Luxury variants were also equipped with full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear passengers); from January 2010, however, curtain airbags were standard across the range.
Features: Accord VTi, V6, VTi-L and V6 Luxury
Standard features for the Accord VTi included 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 95H tyres, a 160 watt six speaker sound system with a six-stack CD player, MP3/WMA compatibility and auxiliary input jack, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel with gearshift paddles, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, 12 volt power outlets and an immobiliser.
Beyond this, the Accord V6 added 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 R17 94V tyres and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat; the V6 models were also fitted with Active Noise Control which used microphones to detect low frequency noises and then emitted reverse phase signals via the audio system to reduce noise levels by 10dB noise. Visually, the V6 models could be identified by their door mirrors with integrated indicators.
The Accord VTi-L was further equipped with leather seats, heated front seats, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and power sunroof.
Finally, the range-topping Accord V6 Luxury was distinguished by its premium sound system with subwoofer, satellite navigation system, four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, reversing camera and trip computer.
2009 Honda Accord VTi 40th Anniversary editions
In 2009, VTi 40th Anniversary editions were released. Compared to the standard VTi, the 40th Anniversary editions added front fog lights, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, floor mats and illuminated door sill garnishes.
2010 Accord VTi Limited Edition
In May 2010, VTi Limited Edition models were released; these were distinguished by their front fog lights, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors and chrome grille and badging.
Brcohures
- Brochure: Honda CP2.I and CP3.I Accord Modulo Sports Pack (September 2009)
- Brochure: Honda CP2.I and CP3.I Accord (February 2010)
Related links
- Press Kit: Honda CP2.I and CP3.I Accord (February 2008)
- Specifications: Honda CP2.I and CP3.I Accord (February 2008)
Honda CP2.II and CP3.II Accord (2011-13)
Overview
Released in July 2011, the CP2 and CP3 Series II (CP2.II and CP3.II) Accord introduced updated styling and additional features. As such, the CP2.II and CP3.II Accords could be identified by their reshaped front bumpers, new grilles with two chrome bars and a chrome boot-lid strips; the VTi-L and V6 Luxury variants were also fitted with five twin-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
| Variants | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTi, VTi-L |
2011-13 | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 5sp auto | 133 kW at 6500 rpm | 222 Nm at 4300 rpm |
| V6 Luxury | 2011-13 | 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 202 kW at 6200 rpm | 339 Nm at 5000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to their Series I predecessors, standard safety equipment for the CP2.II and CP3.II Accord was unchanged.
Features: Accord VTi, VTi-L and V6 Luxury
Standard features for the CP2.II and CP3.II Accord were extended to include a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.
Beyond this, the VTi-L was equipped with an upgraded sound system with subwoofer, satellite navigation system with a colour touch screen and reversing camera. The V6 Luxury also gained front parking sensors and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.
2012 Accord VTi Limited Edition
In November 2012, VTi Limited Edition models were released. Compared to the standard VTi, the Limited Edition models were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seat trim, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Brochure
Related links
