Top Guns

At first glance, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) looks like it’s in a tight spot. It would be hard for them to replace the Honda Accord after it won the Car of the Year — Philippines top plum in 2004. It would also be hard for the company to top their own popular CR-V if they decide to introduce another SUV under the Honda banner. Factor in the continuing dominance of the "other" Japanese automotive giant, HCPI cannot afford to relax when introducing a new model in the local automotive market.

Luckily for HCPI, the two new vehicles they introduced at the recently-concluded Honda World 2006 at the activity center of the Glorietta in Makati — the much-improved new Honda Accord and the 2006 Honda Pilot are not only well-designed and well-built vehicles, they are also well-accepted in other countries. These vehicles represent the Top Guns of Honda’s impressive arsenal of automobiles and they are now available for the Filipino enthusiasts’ discriminating taste.

2006 Honda Sport Accord

Since its introduction in the ‘90s, the Accord has become one of Honda’s most successful car brands, gaining market acceptance and recognition from award-giving bodies because of its sporty and elegant styling, powerful engine, fun-to-drive quality and overall value. Honda reemphasizes this heritage and adds a new level of refinement in the luxury sedan category with the 2006 Sport Accord.

Introduced in the Honda World 2006 by one of HCPI’s "top guns", Marketing Division Head Arnel Doria, the 2006 Sport Accord blends the elegant and sporty elements of its modern styling with a spirited fun-to-drive character and enhanced engine power as well as heightened safety features. A new chromed wing-type front grille distinguishes it from its previous iteration while a lower profile, resulting from its 15mm lower ground clearance, 16-inch alloy wheels and a sleeker hood design further improves its aerodynamics and gives it a sportier and more aggressive profile.

A new taut and seamless rear bumper, smoked turn lamps, 15-diode LED tail lights, dual exhaust pipes on opposite sides of the bumper and an LED 3rd brake light integrated into the trunk lid extends the sporty image of the 2006 Honda Accord to its rear profile. Inside, a new black leather interior with metallic panel accents adorns the 2.4 VTi-L Accord while new ivory leather seats with wood grain panel accents and a standard sunroof exudes sporty luxury in the 3.0 V6 Accord.

Dynamic performance is one of Honda’s strongest suits and the Accord delivers accordingly, thanks to its 170PS 2.4-liter inline-4 with i-VTEC or its 240-PS 3.0-liter V6 VTEC engine. Handling and stability is likewise enhanced with its Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and 5-link double wishbone suspension that works in concert to prevent pitching during emergency braking situations. Passenger safety is ensured with i-SRS airbags that employ a 2-stage deployment process, side airbags with OPDS and VSA that seamlessly integrate all active safety features to optimize control of the car.

Available in six stylishly attractive colors, the Honda Accord is priced at P1.47M for the 2.4L i-VTEC version and P1.69M for the 3.0L V6 model.

2006 Honda Pilot

After the Pajero, there was a time when the Honda CR-V became the working class’ "dream car", a mini-luxury SUV. The CR-V has since become more "affordable", thus contributing to its success and its dominance of its market segment but it has diminished its "dream car" status because it has become within reach of its admirers. But that may soon change because Honda unleashed a new "dream car" and a true luxury SUV — the 2006 Honda Pilot.

Launched in 2002 in the US, the Pilot is widely accepted in the American market and has earned accolade after accolade from prestigious institutions. It has been Car and Driver magazine’s Large SUV winner in its "Five Best Trucks" for five years in a row; it was awarded by IntelliChoice as "Best Overall Value of the Year" in the intermediate SUV class under $29,000; Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) honored it with the Residual Value Award; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it the highest 5-Star rating in frontal- and side-impact tests; Kiplinger’s awarded it with the Best in Class in the Crossover Category; and Edmunds.com gave it the Consumer’s Most Wanted Award for two consecutive years.

What makes the Honda Pilot tick?

The Pilot boasts of a tough truck-like build but with passenger-car-based refinements. It has a monocoque body for a seamless sedan-like handling, enhanced stability and driving performance yet it maintains the functionality, utility and practicality of traditional SUVs and the sophistication of crossover vehicles. The exterior, with its 16-inch alloy wheels, exudes a massive yet polished look reminiscent of a modern Range Rover with the front complemented by projector-type headlamps and the rear strengthened by a solid bumper design, tailgate spoiler with 3rd brake lamp and rear combination lamps.

The interior of the Honda Pilot is generous, accommodating 8 passengers in leather-wrapped luxury and comfort. Flat folding second and third row seats offer additional cargo space while multi-function central console storage, rear cargo covered storage and storage pockets in every door manage interior space even more. Refinements such as 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather steering wheel, cruise control, 155-watt 6 CD in-dash audio system 6-speaker system with separate subwoofer, front and rear Synchronized Automatic Climate Control, power windows and door locks further emphasize the luxurious nature of Honda’s new "dream" SUV.

A 3.5-liter, 24-valve VTEC V6 engine with Drive-By-Wire Throttle System delivers 247PS at 5600rpm and drives a 5-speed automatic transmission optimized for smooth shift quality and enhanced drivability to optimize fuel economy. Power is transferred to a revolutionary Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel Drive or VTM-4 System which combines the best qualities of All Wheel Drive AWD and "On Demand" 4WD. Like the new Accord, the Pilot is equipped with VSA, but with the additional aid of Traction Control, as well as EBD and BA. Safety has also been enhanced with the Pilot with dual front SRS airbags, front side airbags and 3-row side curtain airbags.

At P2.6M, the Honda Pilot may soon become the new "dream" SUV for the working class. For those who can afford it now, you have a choice of seven exterior colors and two interior choices but you have to reserve now. There may be many buyers lusting after this new dream luxury SUV.