Honda Accord to launch in India in 2016; Accord Hybrid to follow - Report

04/06/2015 - 07:34 | Honda Accord, Honda | Karthik H

New Accord was showcased at Auto Expo 2014.

After phasing out the petrol sedan late in 2013, Honda Cars India has confirmed - according to a report on Autocar India - that the Honda Accord will make its way to India. The petrol hybrid is also on the cards, says the report.

Honda Accord front three quarters right Hybrid at Auto Expo 2014 — Honda is reported to launch the Honda Accord and the Honda Accord Hybrid in 2016. Seen here is the hybrid version as showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo.

While the report quotes Honda Cars India's new president Mr Katsushi Inoue as saying that the two models are lined up for India, it also speculates that the launch will be in 2016. The Accord will compete against the Toyota Camry and the Skoda Superb. Honda's pricing is crucial here, as just past the high-end of the bracket are the tempting German offerings Mercedes CLA and the Audi A3.

2016 Honda Accord facelift front three quarter unofficial render — The facelift of the Honda Accord (rendered) was spied in April, and American media reports expect the new model to be out in showrooms this fall.

The Honda Accord is retailed globally with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injected engine that makes a healthy 185 hp, mated to a CVT box or a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Accord Hybrid was showcased in India for the first time at the 2014 Auto Expo. At the time, it was shown with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a 124 kW electric motor. In total, the Accord Hybrid produces 196 hp, and offers three driving modes. It is paired to an E-CVT gearbox.

2016 Honda Accord facelift rear three quarter unofficial render — The same report expected the Accord to get the updated 3.5-liter V6 engine that comes with direct injection, as well as a 9-speed gearbox, from the 2016 Pilot, while keeping other powertrain options.

Going by the report, the Accord Hybrid will come a few months after the petrol version, and another media claim was that the car would launch at the Auto Expo 2016. A few weeks ago, spyshots of a visually updated Honda Accord popped up on the web from the USA, with American media reports claiming that the facelift could be brought to the market in late 2014. We expect Honda India to import whichever is the latest model at the time of the relaunch.

2015 Honda Accord (current model) - Image Gallery