Honda Accord Coupe Concept
Honda unveiled the Accord Coupe Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, providing the first official glimpse of the athletic styling direction, as well as revealing new technologies for the ninth-generation 2013 model. It's set to go on-sale this fall.
The 2013 Accord will feature three new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda's suite of next-generation Earth Dreams powertrain technologies. In addition, the V-6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a six-speed automatic transmission. The Accord Sedan and the Accord Coupe models are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings and will be available many new safety and technological features.
"Marking the 30th anniversary of U.S. production, the ninth-generation Accord will raise the bar again through a tour de force of new Honda powertrain and safety technologies, geared to ensure that Honda and the Accord continue to lead in fuel economy, safety and fun-to-drive performance," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.
2013 Scion FR-S
The Scion’s new 2013 FR-S production model was unveiled in Detroit. The FR-S gets its core inspiration from three Toyota models . . . the 2000GT for its exterior styling, making it extremely low to the ground with a long, sleek hood . . . the Sports 800 because it was the first car to have a front-mounted boxer engine in a rear-wheel drive configuration…and most importantly, the Corolla GT-S, known by its true fans as the AE86 or “hachi-roku,” which means 8-6 in Japanese. The AE86 was a moderately priced car that didn’t rely on brute horsepower, but instead a remarkable combination of a lightweight design, responsive power and a perfect balance.
The FR-S features the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. Its 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru combining Subaru’s newly developed horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s D-4S direct and port injection system. The result is an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Power to weight ratio will be dramatic with the FR-S only weighing just over 2,700 pounds.
2013 Toyota Prius C
The letter “c” represents “city” in the Prius c name. Designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and a city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, Prius c offers the highest city mpg rating of any vehicle without a plug. The Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius Liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut in early 2012.
- The highest rated city fuel economy estimate of any vehicle without a plug*; 53 mpg in the city, and 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 50 mpg
- The most accessible Prius will feature a starting MSRP below $19,000 with proven hybrid powertrain and premium technology
- A premium subcompact car experience thanks to a wide array of available convenience and advanced in-car electronics features, including a standard 3.5-in. full color TFT multi-information display, hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune™
All images © Megan Green
Article Last Updated: January 13, 2012.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.