Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Ferrari California (2009-) Review

4 out of 5

Summary of the Ferrari California (2009-)

Price Range: No data available

Assets

Speed, handling, noise, resistance to depreciation.

Drawbacks

Very expensive, disappointing looks, joke rear seats.

Verdict

A convincing supercar, coupe and convertible all in one package.



Ferrari California Review

Overview4 out of 5

In recent times, Ferrari has busied itself doing what it has always done best: building ultra-quick, heart-stoppingly exciting cars. And products like the 599 GTB and the 430 Scuderia have shown the proud Maranello marque to be absolutely on top of its game.

But now it's taking a very different tack, abandoning its heartland and going after a more mainstream audience. These customers are likely to be preoccupied with show rather than go and won't look at any car unless it can prove itself sufficiently adaptable to fit their lives. They won't think such a car's failings are characterful, as might a diehard Ferrari fan, nor will they tolerate a lack of comfort and refinement as being a price worth paying.

Ferrari's offering to them, then, is this new £143,320 California. It's a complete departure: not just from any Ferrari you can buy today, but any in the 60 year history of the marque.

Most obviously, it is the first Ferrari to be fitted with folding metal roof. But it also has a V8 motor mounted in it nose where all previous eight-cylinder Ferraris have been mid-engined.

That engine has the same 4.3-litre capacity as the F430 but, says Ferrari, it is almost entirely new and features direct fuel injection, not so much to improve power (its 453bhp is 30bhp less than the F430 engine) but to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Visually the California is best described as 'challenging'. Underneath it all, there's a good looking car trying to get out, but those looks are being suppressed by too many fussy and sometimes ill-advised details such as an awkward crease along the car's flanks. And Ferrari will be neither the first nor last to discover how tricky it is to package a solid roof and rear windscreen into a boot without making the car look a little too amply proportioned at the rear.

Ford Ka (2009-) Review

4 out of 5

Summary of the Ford Ka (2009-)

Price Range: £7,395 to £9,145

Assets

Sharp drive, supple ride, cute looks.

Drawbacks

Stingy on kit, limited space for adults in rear, lacks charm of Fiat 500.

Verdict

The Ka out-drives the 500, but loses out on value and desirability.


Ford Ka Review

Overview4 out of 5

Perhaps it's a little unfair to approach the new Ford Ka with such a huge weight of anticipation, but honestly, we can't help it.

That's because the tiny Ford has been co-developed alongside the Fiat 500 - the most exciting city car for a long time.

But instead of launching alongside the Fiat, we've had to wait an agonising 12 months for Ford to ready its own version - time we would hope Ford has spent addressing some of the 500's flaws.

Available initially with two Fiat-sourced engines, a 68bhp 1.2 petrol and a 74bhp 1.3 Mulitjet diesel, the Ka comes in four trims: Studio, Style, Style+ and Zetec. It will be aggressively priced to undercut the Fiat 500, with prices starting at just £7,995 - that's £100 cheaper than the equivalent Fiat.

The cute second-generation Ka might have price on its side, but does it have enough talent to overshadow the 500's hugely desirable retro flavour?

The 2008 Bentley Arnage Review

Bentley Arnage

The Bentley Arnage is a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England. The Arnage and its Rolls-Royce-branded sibling, the Silver Seraph, were introduced in the Spring of 1998 and were the first entirely new designs for the two marques since 1980.

Another break from the past was to be found under the bonnet, for decades home to the same 6.75 L V8, a powerplant which could trace its roots back to the 1950s. The new Arnage was to be powered by a BMW V8, with Cosworth-engineered twin turbo installation, and the Seraph was to employ a BMW V12.

The Arnage is over 5 m (200 in) long, 1.9 m (75 in) wide, and has a curb weight of more than 2.5 metric tonnes. For a brief period it was the most powerful and fastest four-door saloon on the market.

Review
If you need a four-door, luxury supercar, the Bentley Arnage sits at the top of a very exclusive pile. It may not be quite as lithe on twisting roads as some of its competition, but the Arnage has an indefinable class and sense of occasion that none of its rivals can touch. The Arnage arrived in 1998 as the spritzier, quicker sister model to the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. After the division of the two companies, Bentley headed off with VW and the BMW-sourced turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 was soon replaced by the superlative 6.75-litre V8 with ever more gobsmacking power outputs. That’s not to say the Arnage has lost sight of its role as a luxury car: the interior is covered from head to toe leather and hand-finished wood trim regardless of which model you choose. The Arnage started as the 4.4-litre Green Label, then the faster Red Label was added in 1999 with the 6.75 V8. These then gave way to the R, T and long wheelbase RL models from 2002 onwards.

Price

2008 Bentley Arnage
Drivetrain


Engine Trans* MSRP
2008 Bentley Arnage Sedan (Saloon)
R
RWD


6.8L V8 TAuto$221,990
T
RWD


6.8L V8 TAuto$242,990
2008 Bentley Arnage Sedan (Touring Limousine)
RL
RWD


6.8L V8 TAuto$263,990



*Transmission: CVT=Continuously Variable Transmission N/A = Transmission information for this year vehicle is not available.














2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R Review

2009 Nissan GT-R at Sendai Highland Circuit, a raceway north of Tokyo. After years of staring at various concepts, prototypes and Nürburgring test mules of the GT-R, it's finally time to drive the finished product.

An engineer waves us over after making his final checks, then hands us the keys with a smile so big you'd think he'd been knocking back Kirins since sunrise. We suspect he already knows what we came here to find out.

Does the 2009 Nissan GT-R really deliver the performance of the Porsche 911 Turbo for half the price? Time to find out for ourselves.

Getting Acquainted With Godzilla
Unlike most supercars, the GT-R doesn't sit only 2 inches off the ground, so it's easy to slide into the driver seat. This is a Japanese-market car, so we're on the right-hand side, which makes everything feel awkward. The seat is firm and narrow, and the high center console gives the cabin a tight, cockpit-style feel.

Start buttons aren't the novelty they used to be, but the GT-R's big red igniter just below the central shift lever does make us stop and think for a second. There will be 473 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque on tap once this sucker is running. It's also about 40 degrees F outside and we're on an unfamiliar track that packs 16 turns into just 2.5 miles of asphalt.

Gran Turismo this is not.

Push the button and the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 fires up with a low, uninspiring hum. We had heard it was quiet, but this is almost too quiet. Aftermarket exhaust manufacturers might as well start taking orders now.

The Nissan engineer leans in the window and sets all the adjustment buttons for the transmission, damper settings and VDC system to their "R" positions for maximum performance. He gives us a thumbs-up and another big smile. Yeah, he definitely knows something.

We slide the shift lever down into Drive and select manual shift mode by tapping it to the side. Left foot off the brake, a little gas with the right foot and the GT-R eases out of the pits slowly and smoothly. No SMG-style clunkiness here.

When the light at the end of pit road goes from red to green, we floor it in 2nd gear and promptly get drop-kicked onto the straightaway at nearly 70 mph. So much for turbo lag.

Pulling the right-side shift paddle snaps the GT-R into 3rd in one seamless motion that no stick jockey could match for speed or smoothness. Turn 1, a tight, slightly downhill right-hander is coming up quick, so we back off and get on the brakes. They scrub off so much speed that we hit the apex at all of 25 mph.

So far, this GT-R is all motor and brakes. Better take it easy for a lap to recalibrate.

Ram Air, Japanese Style
We get settled on the short straight before Turn 3. Although visibility is generally good, the GT-R's high cowl makes it feel especially big. And like a late-1960s Mopar, the twin intakes on the hood are visible from the driver seat. The bulky feel is no illusion, as the GT-R is 7 inches longer and 2 inches wider than a Porsche 911.

Turn 3 is a hairpin left that heads back uphill, so we swing wide, stay in 2nd and get on the gas at the apex. The GT-R turns in quickly — very quickly. Maybe it's our low speed, but there's not a hint of wasted motion in the steering. The slightest nudge of the wheel right or left delivers a response, so there's no need to muscle this car through corners.

As we crest Turn 4, which bends slightly right and onto the back straight, we're already in 3rd and back into the throttle. The GT-R is piling on huge chunks of speed now. If the speedometer were digital it would be skipping numbers, lots of them. Unlike our 2nd-gear slingshot out of the pits, this run to the redline is so smooth we hardly realize we're traveling at nearly triple-digit speed.

There's not much of a power curve. If you want power, it's there. It comes on heavy at nearly any engine speed, and you never feel the turbos spooling up either. This is a different kind of thrust than a big American V8. Not better or worse, just different.

Ignore the Numbers
Into 4th gear and the cabin remains calm right up to 120 mph. There's no valvetrain clatter like a Corvette and the engine doesn't wail in your ear like a 911.

Back on the Brembo brakes at the end of the straight and again they bite hard. The pedal is stiff and easy to modulate and you don't have to press all that hard to generate big negative Gs. We call up a couple downshifts with the shift paddles, and the dual-clutch transmission pulls off each one with a precise throttle blip that keeps the car steady on the pavement.

A quick left-right-left through a chicane and the GT-R starts barreling back up a hill through a long, sweeping left-hander. It's the last thing we expected, but the GT-R feels surprisingly light and maneuverable despite its curb weight of 3,836 pounds. That's 342 pounds more than a Porsche 911 Turbo and nearly 700 pounds more than a Corvette Z06.

The GT-R should feel like a big, lifeless brick, yet here we are, barely finished with our first lap and already we're tossing the car from one corner to the next with confidence. The precise steering and nearly total lack of body roll make it easy to place on the road, and there's little dive when the big six-piston front calipers are clamping down on the 15-inch drilled rotors.

The ultra-stiff chassis gives the adjustable Bilstein dampers a good platform with which to work, and the fact that we barely notice them working is a sign they're dialed in just right. Even when we misjudge a few of the final corners, our last-second corrections don't turn into frightening wobbles or twitches. Trust us: The 911 Turbo is not so forgiving in comparison.

Don't Doubt Mizuno

A few more laps and the GT-R now feels familiar and predictable. We're going through corners with enough speed to sense the all-wheel-drive system moving the power around from one corner to another. During the pre-drive briefing, Chief Engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno explained that the GT-R is more fun to drive through corners because you can get on the throttle earlier than with a conventional rear-wheel-drive car. It's an overly simplified way of explaining the GT-R's complicated ATTESA ET-S all-wheel-drive system.

Testing his theory is uncomfortable at first, since the car feels on the verge of understeer through some of the tighter turns. Adding more power seems like the last thing that's going to help, but, sure enough, a little midcorner throttle rotates the nose right toward the apex. Staying on the gas drifts the tail out a bit on exit as the power gets redirected to the rear tires. VDC is still activated in "R" mode, but if it's making any adjustments, we're not feeling them.

Getting so much movement out of an unfamiliar car makes us feel like Sendai regulars. The car needs only the smallest inputs to put it on the edge and keep it there. From the steering to the brakes to the transmission, it's all precise, quick movements. Sure, the car is heavy, but after you throw it through a few turns with nothing more than a few flicks of your fingers, the numbers become meaningless.

The World's Most Famous Porsche 911 Turbo

Pulling into the pits, we're exhilarated, not exhausted. It took just seven laps to go from pedal-stabbing rookie to calm, drift-happy veteran. Supercars are rarely so friendly.

Chief engineer Mizuno asks what we think. We tell him that it is rock solid and easy to drive, but we're not sure if it's as fast as the 911 Turbo. "Why don't you drive it for a few laps to compare," Mizuno says as he points to Nissan's own Porsche 911 Turbo test mule sitting at the end of pit lane. "Just two laps," Mizuno says.

Other than its roll cage and a competition seat, this 997-series Turbo is a stock model with a six-speed manual transmission. There are roughly 10,000 hard miles on it, but a thoroughly broken-in Turbo is still better than 99 percent of the cars on the road.

The Porsche is dead cold, so we take the first lap easy. Even at half speed, the 911 already feels surprisingly loose. It requires more steering input to get a response. Get on the brakes and it dives. Bend into a turn and it rolls. They're small movements, but compared to the GT-R they feel wildly exaggerated.

As we finish the first lap, we step it up a notch. In terms of pure power, the two cars feel very, very close. The Porsche's turbos come on a little more abruptly, but both cars are equal-size hammers at full boost. We dig hard on the 911's brakes at the end of the front straight and again we find more similarities than differences. The Turbo has a firm pedal that's easy to modulate, much like the GT-R.

Diving into the first turn is the real eye-opener, as the Turbo quickly gets a little unsettled. Like the GT-R, the 911 much prefers a steady throttle through the corner, but even when it settles down, we're still guessing where it wants to go. Steering corrections require far more input than the GT-R and the amount of body movement we get from the 911 is a stark reminder of just how buttoned down the Nissan is at speed.

If anything, the Turbo reminds us how much we like to do the shifting ourselves. The GT-R's dual-clutch setup is certainly faster and more efficient, but there's no substitute for the mechanical feel and driver involvement of a true manual linkage.

Keep Left
With the track work finished, we switch cars and head for a short loop on public roads. Mizuno has been quick to emphasize that the GT-R has a dual nature; he says the GT-R is "a supercar you can drive every day." We switch the Nissan's adjustable dampers to their softest setting, leave the transmission in automatic mode and recalibrate once again, this time to driving on the left side of the road.

For an engine that thrives at 6,000 rpm, this 3.8-liter V6 feels just fine at 1,500 rpm, too. That's good, since the transmission's automatic mode heads for fuel-sipping 6th gear as soon as possible. Of course, the slightest nudge of the throttle kicks the gearbox down to 4th. Ask for more and we're met with a slight delay before all the clutch plates and gears get lined up. Then it's wham, and we're off at full boost, wondering what the local speed limit might be.

The softer damping filters out some of the bumpier surfaces but it's still a stiff ride. Owners won't mind, but anybody in the passenger seat will. We expected the quick steering would feel twitchy on less-than-perfect pavement, but instead it's just a little on the high-maintenance side. In other words, no elbow-on-the-window-sill driving, but this car doesn't dive for the shoulder at every pothole, either.

Our only moment of "oh yeah, this is an all-wheel-drive supercar" comes when we pull a three-point turn in a parking lot. We hear what sounds like a couple of loose crescent wrenches fumbling around in the drivetrain when turning at full lock. Nothing is broken; it's just a little reminder that there are several differentials and driveshafts underneath the floor and they're not designed for slow, tight turns on dry pavement.

As we head back to the track, we confirm the usefulness of the navigation system as it manages to lead us in the right direction despite the Japanese voice commands. The rest of the interior isn't particularly impressive, since it's all about function instead of a style contest with other coupes in the $70,000 price bracket.

The Real Deal
Rolling back into the pits at Sendai, there's not much mystery left in the 2009 Nissan GT-R for us. Its world-beating lap time at the Nürburgring suggests this is one of the fastest production cars in the world. We wouldn't bet against it.

Then again, all-out capability doesn't mean much if you have to be a former Formula 1 driver to tap into it. That's not the case with the GT-R. It's well-balanced, forgiving and predictable in a way that allowed us to creep up to its limits without threatening to be the first ones to put a GT-R in a ditch.

The Porsche 911 Turbo puts it into perspective. The Nissan GT-R lives up to its billing as an affordable supercar that can go heads up with the world's best. The smiling engineer knew it and now we do, too.

Source:edmunds.com

2008 Honda Accord

The 2008 Honda Accord comes with two engines: a 2.4 liter i-VTEC 4 cylinder and a 3.5 liter i-VTEC V6. The 2008 Honda Accord with the 2.4 liter i-VTEC 4 cylinder engine has a power output of 170 hp and gets 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The 2008 Honda Accord with the 3.5 liter i-VTEC V6 engine has a power output of 190 hp at 7000 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm.



2008 Honda Accord 2
2008 Honda Accord 3

2008 Honda Accord 42008 Honda Accord 7

2008 Honda Accord 52008 Honda Accord 6

2008 Honda Accord 112008 Honda Accord 13

2008 Honda Accord 122008 Honda Accord 14



source:zercustoms.com


a pair of inline four-cylinder engines and two V-6 engine choices. The base engine is a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder powerplant in the LX Sedan and LX-P Sedan. With 177 horsepower, this engine delivers an increase of 7% in horsepower compared to its predecessor, while operating on regular unleaded fuel (as before). The highly-efficient power plant meets Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) (AT only) or ULEV-2 emissions standards* and delivers EPA-estimated City/Highway fuel economy of 21/311 mpg (Sedan AT). In total, the new Accord's base engine is more powerful, cleaner and more fuel-efficient2 than the engine it replaces.
In the Accord LX-S Coupe and all EX and EX-L models, an even more powerful inline four-cylinder engine is standard. With a high-flow muffler and reprogrammed Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder generates 190 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. Though it's by far the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever offered in a North American Accord, this powerplant is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, and also meets PZEV (AT only) or ULEV-2 emissions standards.* With a 5-speed automatic transmission, it also delivers EPA-estimated City/Highway fuel economy of 21/31(1) mpg 2008 Honda Accord Powertrain Gallery: 2008 Honda Accord Powertrain
(Sedan AT) using the new 2008 EPA methodology. That makes it just as fuel efficient as the less-powerful four-cylinder engine found in the LX and LX-P Sedan.

Both four-cylinder engines are certified as PZEV in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Fuel economy ratings and horsepower are unchanged, but these engines comply with tougher PZEV requirements, in part, by virtue of a special i-VTEC system that leaves one exhaust valve closed in each cylinder at low rpm, and the use of
new fuel injector and dual probe spark plugs that improve combustion, in addition to the near-zero evaporative emissions equipment.

* In states that adhere to California Air Resource Board (CARB) emissions standards. All engines meet Federal Tier-2/Bin 5 emissions standards. 1Estimates reflect new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Accord Sedan and Coupe V-6 models equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions are powered by a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 that is the most powerful
engine ever offered in a Honda vehicle. It features a new generation of Honda's advanced Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) variable displacement technology with a special SOHC i-VTEC valvetrain that allows it to operate in three different modes. Depending on driving conditions, the engine operates on three, four or all six cylinders to help boost fuel economy or power as needed.

With a 16% increase in displacement compared to the previous 3.0-liter Accord V-6, this new powerplant delivers 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 248 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm, operating on regular unleaded fuel. That is a 10% increase in horsepower and a substantial 18% boost in torque as compared to the previous V-6.

The Accord V-6 meets PZEV (AT only) or ULEV-2 emissions standards.* Though it is larger and more powerful than any engine ever offered in Accord, the V-6 returns EPA-estimated 19/291 City/Highway fuel economy, using the 2008 EPA methodology. That makes it more fuel efficient than the smaller, less powerful engine it replaces when 2007 and 2008 models are tested using the identical 2008 EPA fuel economy evaluation parameters.

* In states that adhere to California Air Resource Board (CARB) emissions standards. All engines meet federal Tier 2/Bin 5 emissions standards.

The Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with 6-speed transmission has a unique variant of the Accord V-6 that uses VTEC valve gear without VCM to achieve enhanced low- and midrange performance. This engine has the same peak horsepower and torque as the i-VTEC VCM engine, and meets ULEV-2 emissions standards. It is paired with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission for maximum performance and driving control.

Powertrain Features at A Glance

2.4-liter Inline 4-cylinder Engine (LX, LX-P Sedan)

- 2.4-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC® inline four-cylinder engine
- 177 horsepower at 6500 rpm
- 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4300 rpm
- i-VTEC® (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) + VTC (Variable Timing Control)
- EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21/31 mpg (AT Sedan) City/Highway1
- Regular unleaded fuel
- Direct ignition system
- Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
- 5-speed automatic (available) or 5-speed manual transmissions
- Close-coupled catalytic converter plus under-floor catalytic converter
- ULEV-2 emissions compliant
- PZEV (AT only) version sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont
- Dual-probe spark plugs
- Unique i-VTEC system provides single exhaust valve operation at low rpm

2.4-liter Inline 4-cylinder Engine (EX, EX-L Sedan; LX-S, EX, EX-L Coupe)

- 2.4-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC® inline four-cylinder engine
- 190 horsepower at 7000 rpm
- 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm
- i-VTEC® + VTC
- EPA estimated fuel economy of 22/31 mpg (MT) City/Highway1
- Regular unleaded
- Direct ignition system
- Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
- 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual
- Close-coupled catalytic converter plus under-floor catalytic converter
- ULEV-2 emissions compliant
- PZEV (AT only) version sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont
- Dual-probe spark plugs
- Unique i-VTEC system provides single exhaust valve operation at low rpm

V-6 Engine with Automatic Transmission (EX V-6, EX-L V-6 Sedan; EX V-6. EX-L V-6 Coupe)

- 3.5-liter, SOHC, i-VTEC® V-6
- 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm
- 248 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm
- i-VTEC® provides Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) for fuel efficiency
- Magnesium intake manifold and valve cover
- Close-coupled catalytic converters plus under-floor catalytic converter
- EPA estimated fuel economy of 19/29 (Sedan), 19/28 (Coupe) mpg City/Highway1
- Regular unleaded
- Direct ignition system
- Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
- 5-speed automatic
- ULEV-2 emissions compliant
- PZEV version sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont
- Dual-probe spark plugs

V-6 Engine with Manual Transmission (EX-L V-6 6-Speed Coupe)

- 3.5-liter, SOHC, VTEC® V-6
- 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm
- 248 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm
- VTEC® with variable intake manifold provides two intake cam profiles for enhanced low- and mid-range torque
- Close-coupled catalytic converters plus under-floor catalytic converter
- ULEV-2 emission compliant
- EPA estimated fuel economy of 17/25 mpg City/Highway1
- Regular unleaded
- Direct ignition system
- Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
- 6-speed manual

Shared Engine Features

The following engine technologies are shared among all 2008 Accord models unless noted.

i-VTEC (all except Accord V-6 6MT Coupe)
Though the Accord four-cylinder engines and the V-6 with automatic transmission are all called i-VTEC powerplants, it is important to note that the details in each application differ. Honda's four-cylinder engines have double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and i-VTEC that is comprised of VTEC + Variable Timing Control (VTC) of the intake camshaft for optimized power production and fuel efficiency. In addition, PZEV variants also idle one of the two exhaust valves in each cylinder at low rpm for enhanced emissions performance. Accord V-6 engines (with the automatic transmission) use a Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) design that features i-VTEC with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) to maximize fuel economy.

Dual-Probe Spark Plugs
The Accord's 4-cylinder and V-6 PZEV-compliant engine uses special dual-probe spark plugs (a first for Honda in North America) for faster mixture ignition speed and improved combustion stability. With the spark arcing just beyond the relatively large surface of the ground area, the air/fuel mixture is exposed to a larger portion of the spark, which enhances stable combustion.

Drive-By-Wire (DBW) Throttle System™
The Accord's drive-by-wire throttle system uses smart electronics instead of a conventional cable system to connect the throttle pedal to the throttle butterfly in the intake tract. Besides allowing engineers to program the relationship between throttle pedal movement and engine response, the system offers optimizes engine response to suit driving conditions. The system monitors throttle pedal position, throttle butterfly position, road speed, engine speed and engine vacuum. This information is used to define the throttle control sensitivity.

Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
The Accord's PGM-FI continually adjusts the fuel delivery to yield the best combination of power, low fuel consumption and low emissions. Multiple sensors constantly monitor critical operating parameters, such as throttle position, intake air temperature, coolant temperature, ambient air pressure, intake airflow volume, intake manifold pressure, exhaust air-fuel ratio and the position of the crankshaft and cams.

Direct Ignition System
All Accord engines use direct ignition, which has a coil unit for each cylinder, positioned within each spark plug's access bore.

Fuel Injectors
The Accord engine's fuel injector nozzles reduce the typical size of fuel droplets by 34 percent compared to the 2007 model, which improves atomization and flame propagation inside the combustion chambers. The better atomization enhances combustion and reduces emissions.

High-Efficiency Catalytic Converters
Key contributors to the Accord engine's excellent emissions performance are its high-efficiency catalytic converters. All engines have their exhaust manifold(s) cast directly into the aluminum alloy cylinder head(s) to reduce weight and position each primary catalytic converter as close as possible to the combustion chambers. A high-efficiency close-coupled converter mounts directly to the exhaust port of each cylinder head for extremely rapid converter activation after engine startup. A second converter is positioned shortly downstream, beneath the passenger compartment floor. Both converters use a new thin-wall design that increases internal reaction area and improves efficiency.

Maintenance Minder System and Tune-Up Intervals
The Accord's standard Maintenance Minder system calculates the engine's tune-up schedule based on driving conditions (tracked by the ECU). When determining proper maintenance intervals, the system minimizes owner guesswork about whether the vehicle is being operated in standard or severe conditions. The Accord's Maintenance Minder information appears in the odometer display, and indicates when to change the oil, oil filter (every other oil change), air cleaner, transmission fluid, spark plugs and coolant, as well as when to rotate the tires. A tune-up is not required until 100K+/- Miles No Scheduled Tune-ups (may vary with driving conditions. Does not apply to fluid and filter changes. Exact mileage is determined by actual driving conditions. The owner's manual contains full detail).

Regular Unleaded Fuel Operation
To keep operating costs at a minimum, all Accord models are designed to use relatively less-expensive regular unleaded fuel, thanks to compact 4-valve combustion chambers and precise fuel injection and spark control.

177 Horsepower 2.4-liter Inline 4-cylinder Engine (LX, LX-P Sedan)

Overview
A 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that develops 177 horsepower and 161 lb-ft. of torque powers the LX and LX-P Accord Sedans. This clean-running engine meets PZEV (AT only) emissions standards in select states, or Federal Tier 2, Bin 5 standards in all states. It delivers EPA-estimated 21/311 mpg City/Highway fuel economy (Sedan AT).

Engine Block and Crankshaft
Accord's 2.4-liter engine has a die-cast aluminum block with a single main-bearing cradle design that creates a rigid assembly to help minimize noise and vibration. Centrifugal spin cast iron cylinder liners provide long lasting durability. Each journal on the forged-steel crankshaft is micropolished to reduce internal friction.

Cylinder Head and Valvetrain
The Accord four-cylinder engine has a lightweight cylinder head that is made of pressure-cast aluminum alloy. A silent-chain drives dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. The cam drive is maintenance free throughout the life of the engine.

i-VTEC Valve Control System
The Accord's 2.4-liter, DOHC, 16-valve i-VTEC engine uses an advanced valve-control system to combine high power output with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. The Accord system combines Variable Timing Control (VTC), which continuously adjusts the intake camshaft phase, with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC), which changes valve lift, timing and duration of the intake valves.

At low rpm, the VTEC intake valve timing and lift are optimized for rapid swirl-pattern cylinder filling. As engine rpm builds past 5000 rpm, the VTEC system transitions to a high-lift, long-duration intake cam profile for superior high-rpm engine power.The "intelligent" portion of the system is its ability to continuously vary the timing of the intake cam relative to that of the exhaust camshaft. This helps boost power and also provides a smoother idle (allowing idle speed to be reduced). The intake cam timing is varied based on input from sensors that monitor rpm, timing, throttle opening, cam position and exhaust air-fuel ratio. The result is increased fuel economy and lower NOx emissions.

PZEV Version
A PZEV version of the 177- and 190-horsepower four-cylinder engines is sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The principal differences between the PZEV Accord and the ULEV-2 version sold in all states are single exhaust valve operation at low rpm, special dual-probe spark plugs and remapped Powertrain Control Module (PCM) programming, in addition to the near-zero evaporative emissions equipment. The horsepower, torque and EPA-estimated fuel economy of the PZEV and ULEV-2 engines are identical.

Single Exhaust Valve Operation
The Accord's 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC PZEV-compliant engine has two modes of exhaust valve operation. Below 2500 rpm, only one exhaust valve operates, creating a strong rotational flow in the exhaust gases that creates a "thermal reactor" effect to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Above 2500 rpm where exhaust flow increases, a hydraulically actuated pin locks the rockers for both exhaust valves together so they operate in unison, following a single cam profile.

190 Horsepower 2.4-liter Inline 4-Cylinder Engine (EX, EX-L Sedan; All Coupes)

Overview
The 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that powers the EX, EX-L Sedan and LX-S, EX and EX-L Coupe is closely related to the engine in the LX Sedan and LX-P Sedan. The 190-horsepower inline four-cylinder meets ULEV-2 in all states, and PZEV (AT only) emissions standards in select states. Like the 177-horsepower engine, the 190-horsepower engine's PZEV variant has single exhaust valve operation at low rpm, dual-probe electrode spark plugs and special PCM mapping.

The key feature that allows this engine to make an additional 13 horsepower and 1 lb-ft. of torque compared to the 177-horsepower four-cylinder engine is a special exhaust system with larger diameter tubing and a variable-valve silencer design that nets a 31% increase in flow relative to the previous generation Accord four-cylinder system. Despite its performance advantage, this engine delivers the same EPA-estimated 21/311 City/Highway fuel economy (Sedan AT) as its less powerful counterpart. Inside the interior of 190-horsepower Accord models, an Active Noise Control system (ANC) helps reduce certain undesirable sound frequencies for greater passenger comfort. (Please see the Interior tab for more information.)

268 Horsepower 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 (EX V-6, EX-L V-6 Sedan; EX-L V-6 Coupe)

Overview
The 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC V-6 engine available in the Accord Sedan and Coupe is the largest and most powerful engine ever offered in a Honda passenger car. It builds on technologies that have been developed and refined on previous Honda powerplants. With its 60-degree V-angle, the Accord's V-6 engine is inherently very smooth and has compact overall dimensions that allow efficient packaging within the vehicle. The V-6 with automatic transmission incorporates a new-generation of i-VTEC technology that boosts fuel efficiency using Variable Cylinder Management (VCM).

Engine Block and Crankshaft
The Accord's available V-6 has a die-cast lightweight aluminum alloy block with cast-in-place iron cylinder liners. Made with a centrifugal spin casting process, the thin-wall liners are high in strength and low in porosity. The block incorporates a deep-skirt design with four bolts per bearing cap for rigid crankshaft support and minimized noise and vibration. Both the block and caps are heat treated for greater strength.

Cylinder Heads/Valvetrain
Like other Honda V-6 powerplants, the Accord V-6 cylinder heads are a single-overhead-camshaft design, with the cams driven by the crankshaft via an automatically tensioned toothed belt. Made of low-pressure cast, low-porosity aluminum, each cylinder head incorporates an integrated exhaust manifold to reduce parts count, improve flow and optimize the location of the close-coupled catalyst on each cylinder bank.

i-VTEC with 3-stage Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™)
The Accord's available SOHC V-6 with automatic transmission includes i-VTEC with VCM. With the boost in fuel efficiency attributable to VCM, the larger and more powerful Accord V-6 with automatic transmission actually gets better fuel economy than its smaller, less powerful predecessor when tested with the same methodology. Using the EPA's new 2008 methodology, the Accord V-6 Sedan returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19/29 City/Highway. That is an increase over the previous Accord V-6 (18/26 City/Highway) of 1 mpg City/3 mpg Highway, when both vehicles are compared with the same 2008 methodology.

VCM Operation
To help improve the fuel efficiency of the V-6 engine available with the 5-speed automatic transmission, a new generation of Honda's VCM is used. This is the first application of VCM on a non-hybrid Accord model. Unlike previous VCM systems that switched between three- and six-cylinder operation, the Accord's system can operate on three, four or all six cylinders.

During startup, acceleration or when climbing hills - any time high power output is required - the engine operates on all six cylinders. During moderate speed cruising and at low engine loads, the system operates just one bank of three cylinders. For moderate acceleration, higher-speed cruising and mild hills, the engine operates on four cylinders.

With three operating modes, the VCM system can finely tailor the working displacement of the engine to match the driving requirements from moment to moment. Since the system automatically closes both the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders that are not used, pumping losses associated with intake and exhaust are eliminated and fuel economy gets a further boost. The VCM system combines maximum performance and maximum fuel economy - two characteristics that don't typically coexist in conventional engines.

VCM deactivates specific cylinders by using the VTEC (Variable Valve-Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system to close the intake and exhaust valves while simultaneously the Powertrain Control Module cuts fuel to those cylinders. When operating on three cylinders, the rear cylinder bank is shut down. When running on four cylinders, the left and center cylinders of the front bank operate, and the right and center cylinders of the rear bank operate.

The spark plugs continue to fire in inactive cylinders to minimize plug temperature loss and prevent fouling induced from incomplete combustion during cylinder re-activation.

The system is electronically controlled, and uses special integrated spool valves that do double duty as rocker-shaft holders in the cylinder heads. Based on commands from the system's electronic control unit, the spool valves selectively direct oil pressure to the rocker arms for specific cylinders. This oil pressure in turn drives synchronizing pistons that connect and disconnect the rocker arms.

The VCM system monitors throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, automatic-transmission gear selection and other factors to determine the correct cylinder activation scheme for the operating conditions. In addition, the system determines whether engine oil pressure is suitable for VCM switching and whether catalytic-converter temperature will remain in the proper range. To smooth the transition between activating or deactivating cylinders, the system adjusts ignition timing, drive-by-wire throttle position and turns the torque converter lock-up on and off. As a result, the transition between three-, four-, and six-cylinder operation is unnoticeable to the driver.

Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) and Active Noise Control (ANC)
The ACM system is used to minimize the effects of engine vibration as the VCM system switches cylinders on and off. Sensors alert the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to direct ACM actuators positioned at the front and rear of the engine to move to cancel engine vibration. Inside the interior of the Accord, the ANC system works in cooperation with the ACM system to further reduce any sound relating to the function of the VCM system. (Please see the Interior tab for more information.)

V-6 High-Flow Exhaust System
The Accord V-6 has a completely new exhaust system to accommodate its larger displacement and increased power output. Tubing diameter has been increased and new dual silencers are used. In total, the changes provide a 38% increase in exhaust flow compared to the previous V-6 system.

3.5-liter VTEC V-6 (Manual Transmission EX-L V-6 6MT Coupe)

Overview
The Accord V-6 Coupe with 6-speed manual transmission uses a unique version of the 3.5-liter V-6. In place of the i-VTEC cylinder heads that incorporate Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology for enhanced fuel economy, the performance-oriented 6-speed V-6 Coupe has VTEC cylinder heads that operate all six cylinders under all driving conditions. The engine switches between two different intake valve profiles based on the operating conditions to deliver superior low- and mid-range power, while achieving the same peak 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft. torque figures found in the automatic transmission version with VCM. The engine also features a variable intake manifold (constructed of lightweight magnesium) to improve low- to mid-range torque.

VTEC® (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)
VTEC® operates the engine's 12 intake valves in two distinct modes. At low engine speeds, the intake valves follow low lift and relatively short duration cam profiles. At high engine speeds the valves switch to high-lift, long-duration mode to deliver the best volumetric efficiency. The V-6 with 6-speed manual transmission has a VTEC changeover point that occurs at approximately 5000 rpm.

Intake and Exhaust Tuning
The intake and exhaust systems on the Accord Coupe V-6 with six-speed manual transmission feature exclusive intake and exhaust tuning for sporty sounding performance. The intake is designed to resonate a unique performance sound at mid and high rpms, while the exhaust is designed to convey a low, powerful note at low to mid rpm.

Transmissions

5-Speed Manual Transmission
A lightweight, compact 5-speed manual transmission is available with either the 177- or 190-horsepower Accord four-cylinder engine. Housed in a rigid die-cast aluminum case, the transmission uses multi-cone synchronizers on first through fourth gears that contribute to a smooth, fluid shift feel. A single plate clutch with a diaphragm-type spring provides smooth, progressive engagement combined with low pedal effort.

Close-Ratio 6-Speed Manual Transmission
While most Accord V-6 models have a 5-speed automatic transmission, the EX-L V-6 Coupe is also available with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. This short-throw unit is designed to take advantage of the high power and torque of the new Accord V-6 engine and give enthusiast drivers maximum control.

Substantially lighter than the automatic transmission, the 6-speed manual features a high-pressure die-cast aluminum-alloy transmission housing to save weight. High-strength steel gears are used, and the shafts are hollow, netting a further reduction in weight.

Closely spaced ratios help provide stronger acceleration by keeping engine revs up closer to the engine's horsepower peak. A reverse lockout feature prevents the transmission from accidentally being shifted into reverse while the car is moving forward.

The Accord's manual transmission is matched with a compact clutch unit that is self-adjusting for consistent pedal stroke and load throughout its service life. A dual-mass flywheel cuts down the transfer of engine vibration into the cabin and provides increased comfort during shifting and helps to reduce noise.

5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Accord four-cylinder and V-6 models are available with 5-speed automatic transmissions with Grade Logic Control. Four-cylinder engines have a compact three-shaft transmission design that is engineered for smooth operation and fuel efficiency. To accommodate the large displacement and high power output of the Accord V-6 engine, a four-shaft, 5-speed automatic transmission related to the transmission used in the Honda Odyssey is used.

Accord's Powertrain Control Module (PCM) manages overall powertrain operation, and provides precise management of the interaction between automatic transmission and engine. This integrated control strategy makes for smoother shifts with reduced shift shock. VCM engines are equipped with a long torsional control damper to helps enhance overall transmission smoothness.

Different transmission gear ratios are used for the 177-horsepower and 190-horsepower four-cylinder engines. To take full advantage of the 190-horsepower engine's added high-rpm power, its 5-speed automatic transmission has lower second-, third- and fourth-gear ratios (higher numerically). This provides an added boost to acceleration and responsiveness. The first- and the fifth-gear ratios are common among all four-cylinder engines, resulting in an efficient and quiet cruising rpm at higher speeds.

Grade Logic Control
To reduce gear "hunting" and unnecessary shifting, Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control systems are integrated into the shift programming of Accord automatic transmissions. Grade Logic Control alters the 5-speed automatic's shift schedule, reducing shift frequency while traveling uphill or downhill. Using inputs monitoring throttle position, vehicle speed and acceleration/deceleration, Grade Logic compares the operating parameters with a digital map stored in the transmission computer. When the system determines the Accord is on a hill, the shift schedule is adjusted to automatically hold the transmission in a lower gear for better climbing power or increased downhill engine braking.

Shift Hold Control
Shift Hold Control prevents upshifts to higher gears (fourth and fifth) in repeated winding-road situations where the throttle is quickly released and the brakes are applied. This reduces disturbance to the chassis when entering a corner, and ensures strong power is available without a downshift. Shift Hold Control improves throttle responsiveness and reduces unnecessary shifting on curving roads.

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