Opulence the theme

The first 1.6-litre Honda Accord appeared on the Australian scene in 1977. Soon after, the relatively small two-door hatch won the Wheels Car of the Year award. Now, three decades later and still winning awards (the combined national motoring organisations’ Best Luxury Car under $57,000), the latest Accord V6 is a vastly different car.

It is the most spacious Accord ever, and a superb example of Honda’s sophisticated approach to its cars. Its fresh, clean lines give it a look of luxury, refinement and class. And those themes continue on the inside, where one finds opulence, roominess and comfort.

Available in three specification levels, Accord VTi, Accord V6 and Accord Luxury V6, this car is slightly longer and wider than its stable-mate, the Accord Euro (Honda’s Jekyll-and-Hyde machine, Police Journal, November 2003).

Accord VTi features a detuned version of the 140kW, four-cylinder motor featured in the sporty Euro. Featuring DOHC, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing, it produces 118kWof power and 218Nm of torque. The V6 and Luxury V6 feature a superb new 3.0-litre SOHC, multi-valve V6 engine that produces an impressive 177kW of power and 287Nm of torque. Both engines are of all alloy construction.

Accord’s previous four-speed automatic transmission has been replaced with a new five-speed unit, which features an enhanced Grade Logic control system. This monitors throttle position, vehicle speed and acceleration/deceleration to provide additional power for hill-climbing, or increased engine braking for descents. On V6 models, an Electronic Throttle Control System makes gear changes smoother through computer-controlled throttle adjustment during transmission shifts.

A Police Journal test drive in the Luxury V6 proved Honda deserves its good reputation. The engine is silky smooth, very quiet and capable of propelling Accord out of the blocks very quickly. Similarly, the transmission offers excellent shift qualities, with most changes going unnoticed. It’s an extremely refined car to drive in all conditions, and offers high levels of ride comfort and very low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels. The V6 is very responsive at highway speeds but the car remains whisper quiet.

For standard safety and convenience equipment, all Accord models come highly specified. Each features:

• Front and side airbags for driver and front-seat passenger.
• ABS with Electronic Brake force distribution.
• Three-point safety belts for all seating positions.
• Front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters.
• Dual-zone climate control air conditioning.
• Two 10amp power outlets.
• Central locking, security alarm and immobilizer.
• Cruise control.
• Power windows and mirrors.
• Six-stack, six-speaker, in-dash CD audio system with in-glass antenna.
• Alloy wheels.

Accord prices range from $34,250 to $45,240.

...slick five-speed auto trans
...lightning performance and superb driveability

Conservative look gone

The Mitsubishi Magna has continued to symbolize smooth, quiet, value-for-money motoring since 1985. But, as each new model has appeared, none has been able to avoid the tag “conservative”.

With the 2003 release of the TL Magna and KL Verada range, however, that tag might just disappear.

The architect of Magna’s latest front end is Mitsubishi global styling chief, Olivier Boulay. Love or hate the bold front, it is the new signature for Mitsubishi cars worldwide. A similar front end has since featured on the latest Lancer and Japanese Colt.

Mr Boulay wanted to make sure that drivers who peered into their rear-view mirrors would know a Mitsubishi was following them. To that end, his design works, but, ironically, some now think the car looks too aggressive.

A Police Journal test drive of the luxury sports Verada GTVi and sporty VR-X proved the Tonsley Park crowd know what they’re about. The new front is sharp enough to make some of the opposition look conservative.

On-road performance and build quality is where Magna really shines. VR, VR-X and Verada GTVi all feature a high-output version of the superb 3.5-litre V6 engine. While the standard motor is no slouch, with 155kW of power and 316Nm of torque, the sports models pump out 163kW.

Although manual transmissions are still available in base ES, sporty VR and VR-X models, who would want one? The optional four and five-speed INVECS II Smart Logic automatic transmissions, with Sports Mode sequential shifting, offer the best of both worlds. And, be under no illusion, these automatic transmissions are as good as you can get for the money.

Both test cars featured the high-performance engine with the slick five-speed auto trans. This combination is spot-on, and provides lightning performance and superb driveability. When driven normally, the engine is almost never heard and the transmission goes about its business with little fuss. Plant the foot, and they bite, as the standard traction control system does a fantastic job of controlling unwanted torque steer. One can even delight in a throaty exhaust note.

Vast improvements in body and chassis engineering provide a more rigid vehicle with enhanced performance and safety. The chassis and suspension are well sorted, and allow spirited cornering without compromising ride quality.

TL Magna has been jam-packed with additional standard equipment, making it better value for money. The entry ES comes standard with:

• Driver, passenger and side airbags.
• Power driver’s seat.
• Power windows.
• Climate-control air conditioning.
• Remote entry with panic alarm.
• Eight-function trip computer.

Prices start at $32,990.

Lean green hybrid

While some manufacturers talk about future cars, Toyota has released its second-generation Prius. One of only two hybrid (petrol/electric) cars available in Australia, the new model, larger and more powerful, has lower emissions and uses even less fuel than its predecessor.

And, with an entry price of $36,990, this lean, green, leading-edge car is also $3,000 cheaper.

Its Hybrid Synergy Drive system features a specially designed twin-cam 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine as its primary power source. Delivering 57kW of power and 115Nm of torque, the petrol engine sits alongside an electric motor and an advanced generator. Hidden beneath the cargo floor is an improved 201.6-volt battery system that carries a five-year/100,000 kilometre warranty.

The improved electric motor boasts 50 per cent more power. It delivers 50kW between 1,200 and 1,540rpm and a massive 400Nm of torque from zero to 1,200rpm. Prius’s permanent magnet synchronous generator, which also serves as a starter motor for the petrol engine, can spin at up to 10,000rpm.

So how does the system work? The petrol engine, driving through a power-split device, sends part of its power to the wheels and part to the generator. Electricity from the generator can be fed directly to the electric motor – to help propel the car – or through an inverter, to be converted into direct current and stored in the battery.

When moving off, driving at low speeds, or descending long gentle hills, and in other conditions in which the petrol engine would not operate at peak efficiency, the engine is turned off. Conversely, the two motors, during normal driving conditions, will operate in tandem, with computers controlling the ratio of power to each path for maximum efficiency.Prius also has an EV Drive mode, for silent electric-only operation for up to two kilometres.

Prius is a comfortable, roomy car with passenger and cargo space somewhere between Corolla and Camry. It sports a futuristic dash layout with many functions duplicated on the steering wheel.

Standard features include:

• Dual airbags.
• Alloy wheels.
• Cruise control.
• ABS.
• Climate-control air conditioning.
• Power windows.
• CD player.

An I-Tech pack, which includes side airbags, curtain airbags, stability control, Satellite navigation, premium JBL sound system and Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility, will add $8,100.

On-road performance is very good, with acceleration akin to that of a 2.0-litre car with automatic transmission. With its continuously variable transmission comes no gear-changing or gearshift shock. Zero to 100km/h is achieved in 10.9 seconds; and the car easily accelerates up the steepest hills. As well, Prius effortlessly maintains highway speeds.

The average fuel consumption on a Police Journal test drive was 5.4litres per 100km. At 100km/h, the trip computer shows a constant fuel usage of 4.0 litres per 100km. This is around half that of a four-cylinder car of similar size, and gives a range of around 1,000km from its 45-litre tank.

...a big heart and plenty of appeal...
...compact but very comfortable for two...

Lightweight and breezy

One could dismiss Daihastu’s tiny new Copen convertible as a toy. But, in reality, this honest little car has a big heart and plenty of appeal, especially to women. As it is just 3,395mm long and 1,260mm high, and weighs only 830kg, Copen is easy to drive, light on fuel, a breeze to park, and dwarfed by large dogs.

Copen (short for compact open) has that fabulous open-air feeling only convertibles can provide. Although it is probably the smallest and cheapest one on the Australian market, it is one of only a few to feature an electrically operated solid roof.

And the roof operation takes a few seconds. After releasing two latches inside, it neatly folds away into the boot, with the push of a button. Luggage space, not one of Copen’s strong points, is almost non-existent when the roof is folded away.

Under its cute little bonnet is a tiny 659cc, four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine, which produces 50kW of power at 6,000rpm. Maximum torque of 100Nm comes at 3,200rpm. The engine is flexible, feels more like a 1.5 or 1.8-litre power plant, and even produces a throaty note from its twin exhaust outlets.

As long as the turbo is kept on the boil, acceleration, while not scintillating, is more than adequate. While redline comes at 8,000rpm, flexibility abounds. But if the tacho drops below 2,500rpm, a flurry of activity will follow in selecting a lower gear to get the horses galloping again.

Copen’s low centre of gravity provides quick cornering, and the ride is firm but pleasant. Its low-profile tyres could have been a little wider and, although the brakes work well, rear discs would have looked better inside its big 15-inch alloy wheels.

Copen is, of course, compact but very comfortable for two average-size adults. Its driving position is just right: the seats are very comfortable and everything is at the driver’s fingertips. Copen’s dash is well thought out: its small steering wheel is perfect and the five-speed manual gearbox is a delight.

With the top down around town, one hears very little wind noise; and the audio system and air conditioning work effectively. At highway speeds, a small glass wind deflector helps with unwanted turbulence and, even though more wind noise is evident, it is a buzz in the right conditions.

At $29,990, Copen comes with:

• Air conditioning.
• Power windows and mirrors.
• Remote locking.
• CD/MP3 audio system.
• Alloy wheels.
• Dual exhausts.
• Fog lamps.
• Driver and passenger airbags.
• ABS with EBD and Brake assist.
• Chrome roll bars.

The only options are heated leather seats and metallic paint.