Honda Accord (Japan and Europe seventh generation)

Honda Accord Seventh generation (CL7-9/CM1-3/CN1-2)
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda Accord Euro (Australia and New Zealand) Acura TSX (North America)
Production	2002–2008
Assembly	Japan: Sayama, Saitama (Honda Sayama plant) United Kingdom: Swindon (HUKM)
Designer	Kunihiko Tachibana, Hiroshi Ishibani (2000)[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size/Large family car (D)
Body style	4-door sedan (CL7-9 & CN1) 5-door wagon (CM1-3 & CN2)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 2.0 L K20A DOHC i-VTEC I4 2.4 L K24A DOHC i-VTEC I4 Diesel: 2.2 L N22A turbo I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length	Sedan: 4,665 mm (183.7 in) Wagon: 4,750 mm (187.0 in)
Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	Sedan: 1,445 mm (56.9 in) Wagon: 1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Accord (Japan sixth generation) CF3/4/5/CL2/3 Honda Accord (Europe sixth generation) CG7/8/9/CH5/6/7/8 Honda Torneo (Japan)
Successor	Honda Accord (Japan and Europe eighth generation)

The seventh-generation Honda Accord for the European and Japanese markets is a mid-size car that was available as a four-door sedan or a five-door station wagon and was produced by Honda from October 2002 (for the 2003 model year) to 2008. It won the 2002-03 Japan Car of the Year upon its launch.^[2]

For this generation, the European and Japanese Accords, previously separate models, were consolidated into a single version designed to be more competitive in the European market. It became a top seller in its class in Australia, where over 45,000 sedans were sold between 2003 and 2008.^{[citation needed]} The car was also exported to the United States and Canada, where it was sold as the Acura TSX. Outside North America the first Honda-built diesel engine was offered. In the Japanese market, the Accord was merged into the Torneo range to compete against the Mazda Atenza and Subaru Legacy.

The consolidation of the Japanese and European models was met with some skepticism in Japan at the time, with journalists suggesting Honda was abandoning the Japanese platform in favor of prioritizing foreign markets. Honda suggested that delivering a vehicle achieving that of a "European standard" was in line with what prospective Accord owners in Japan were expecting, compared to buyers of kei cars or compact cars.^[3]

Unlike the previous generation, the sedan and wagon variants were developed and released simultaneously. The wagon’s design from the B-pillar rearward was created independently by a separate designer, allowing greater flexibility in its core design elements rather than simply extending the roofline and cargo area.^[3]

A variant of the larger North American Accord was sold in Japan as the Honda Inspire to compete in the entry-level luxury sedan class.^[4] In markets where both versions of the Accord are sold, such as in New Zealand and Australia, the smaller Japan/Europe-type car is called Accord Euro to distinguish it from the larger North American model.

In Japan, an AWD variant of the Accord was offered in both Sedan (CL8) and Wagon (CM3) forms. The sedan was offered with the Eco 2.0 Engine and automatic transmission only.^[5] Note some were fitted with smaller brakes to fit the smaller 15 inch (195/65R15) wheel and tyres. The Wagon was offered with the 2.4 engine (in both high output and low output) and automatic transmission only.^[6]

It included a 1,998 cc (2.0 L; 121.9 cu in) high performance K20A engine rated at 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) at 8000 rpm and 21 kg⋅m (206 N⋅m; 152 lb⋅ft) at 6000 rpm, 6-speed manual transmission, locked slip differential, lightweight flywheel, strut-brace, bodykit, Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel, HID headlights, Type-R red instrument cluster, aluminum pedals, shift nob and 17-inch wheels. The 215/45R17 tires were larger and wider than the base model, similar to the Type S trim model.^[7] The springs, stabilizers, and bushings were adjusted for a firmer ride, with the damping force optimized to improve handling.^[8] The Euro R K20A engine includes a secondary-force counterbalance shaft, which is not present in other Type R K20A variants. This system reduces engine vibration at the expense of some power output, and operates at rotational speeds exceeding 16,000 rpm.^[9] A Mugen Motorsports concept was unveiled at the 2009 Pro shop Refill.^[10]

Note the Chassis Code (CL7) is shared with the base model Accord in Japan, using a different Eco version of the 2.0 engine rated at 155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp), offered in auto transmission only along with none of the other performance and visual enhancements.

Additional notes

• FWD only
• N22A1 engine available in Europe only

• 
  Honda Accord Euro sedan (Australia; pre-facelift)
• 
  Honda Accord Tourer (Europe; pre-facelift)
• 
  Honda Accord Euro sedan (Australia; facelift)
• 
  Honda Accord Euro sedan (Australia; facelift)
• 
  Honda Accord Euro R sedan (Japan; facelift)
• 
  Honda Accord Tourer (Europe; facelift)
• 
  Honda Accord WTCC

The European marketing campaign was quite successful and is regarded as one of the most influential commercials of the early 2000s.^[11]