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New Honda Accord Debuts In Japan Solely As A Hybrid

This JDM Honda Accord also features a configurable Experience Selection Dial on the centre console. 

It might be a surprise to note that while the latest 11th generation of Honda’s Accord has been out in the States and also in China for nearly a year now, this large sedan however has not actually made it to its home market. But this is soon about to change, as the Japanese automaker has recently announced that the Accord will finally be arriving in Japan. 

Though perhaps the bigger news surrounding this JDM-spec Accord is to be what lies under the hood, as Japanese customers will only have the option of an e:HEV self-charging hybrid powertrain. Consisting of a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder with dual electric motors and a CVT transmission, Honda has unfortunately not officially announced the power and torque figures for it yet, but a similar setup in the smaller Civic that outputs 184 PS and 315 Nm of torque should give at least a rough idea on what is to be expected.  

More on what is to be expected too from this JDM-spec sedan is for it to not be too radically different from its international counterparts, unlike in previous generations where there was a different Accord for each region of the world. The stocky yet sharp exterior aesthetic of this now swoopy fastback for instance still remains very much the same for its launch in Japan relative to when it was initially unveiled in America last year, with the only changes here for its home market being a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels and a slightly different colour palette. 

Honda does nevertheless offer two optional visual upgrade packages for the Accord , with the two being the Sportsline and the Touringline. Both these aesthetic enhancement packages add on their respective bumper and side skirt extensions, decorative side gills, rear diffuser, and lip spoiler, as well as a new set of either black or diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels.

Now moving on inside meanwhile, the interior of this Accord also remains relatively unchanged for its home market relative to its international counterparts. This large Honda will still arrive in Japan featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 11.5-inch heads up display and, for the first time ever in its home market, the latest Honda Sensing 360 ADAS suite. 

Different though from its American sibling at least is the addition of a configurable circular dial on the centre console. Dubbed by Honda as the ‘Experience Selection Dial’, this centrally located dial will apparently enable the user to easy configure it such that audio, temperature and lighting settings could be controlled from said dial. And at the same time, the integrated screen within the dial will rather cleverly feature an analog clock when it is not in use.

Pricing for the new Accord in Japan has yet to be officially unveiled, but will likely be announced when the order books open in December. First deliveries of this new Honda on the other hand will likely take place in the first quarter of next year. A date for which Malaysians wanting this new Honda saloon should probably to take note of, as with Honda Malaysia having since announced that it would no longer be officially selling the Accord anymore, it is unfortunately quite likely that the grey market will be the only way to get your hands on one of these sedans for the foreseeable future. 

Joshua Chin

Automotive journalist. Professional work on dsf.my and automacha.com. Personal writing found at driveeveryday.me. Instagram: @driveeveryday

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