Jim Morrison's voice, deep dark and mysterious,
filled the Accord's immense cabin as the big Honda effortlessly slipped through the misty
drizzle, the long wipers intermittently flashing across the wide windscreen. Our plans of
photography were dampened by the thunderstorm as we sailed around the mountain roads that
dot picturesque Chiplun in the Western Ghats; now truly 'Riders on the Storm'. Cocooned in
the cabin and insulated from the elements, it was the right moment to soak in Honda's new
flagship that promises to be the car to have in this new luxury class.
Driving the Accord is addictive. You've got to gel with the character of the car - start
slow, smooth and build up the tempo fluidly. Despite its considerable girth and length,
this flagship Honda is amazingly light on its feet and responds easily to your inputs at
the wheel. The chassis doesn't pitch at all and displays impressive straight line
stability thanks to its wide track and long wheelbase.
Though its size may initially intimidate you, the sixth-generation Accord as ever is a
superb drive. Space, pace, class and it's a Honda. No wonder the company's bullish about
its success in our market. Everybody and his grandmother knows the Accord. To us it's the
quintessential Japanese luxury car, the one we Indians think of first. The Accord has been
the car to bring back from the United States by returning non-resident Indians (NRIs)
where it is amongst the top selling cars and Honda's best known model.
After many false starts, beginning from 1986 when Telco and Honda planned to produce the
car in India, the Accord has been coming to India forever. It's now finally here assembled
just outside Delhi in Honda's Greater Noida plant where the City is also produced.
Honda in India is cashing in on the formidable reputation the Accord has built for itself
over the years as an imported car. An estimated 3500 of them of various vintages roam the
roads of India in the hands of some very satisfied owners.
With such strong brand equity it would appear that all Honda SIEL has to do is inform the
good rich people that the Accord is available at a showroom near them.
In an exhaustive 2000km test we find out if the Indian-made Accord lives up to its
enviable reputation.
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August 2001