Presentation and road test Honda Accord Type S (part II)

JL Arboledas 1 December 2010 6 min.

Presentation and road test Honda Accord Type S (part II)

As you may recall, just yesterday we were talking about the official presentation of the Honda Accord Type S, a model that Honda gave us the chance to test in two-person teams on an open road, something to be grateful for especially if your travel companion is as pleasant a person as Enrique, even if he has the habit of not wanting to “let go” of the steering wheel, the insurance company will understand me.

In this way we set off on a short tour specially prepared by Toyota in which we would each cover 30 km at the wheel of the Honda Accord Type S Sedan, a model that pleasantly surprised us both. That route, without a doubt, at least for my part, felt quite short, both because of the photo stops and because of the enjoyable conversation we kept up for the entire journey.

Road test of the Accord 2.2 i-DTEC Type S

Something that really surprised me when I got into the Accord Type S Sedan was the pleasant feel of its interior, as well as the smoothness and quietness of its diesel engine, which, if you didn’t know what kind of model you were in, you might think was a petrol-powered vehicle.

Unfortunately this vehicle does not feature any dynamic changes to its structure, which is sorely missed even though its steering has become somewhat more direct thanks to the new 18-inch alloy wheels and, above all, its 235/45 R18 tyres. On this point, Honda should consider adding, even if only as an option, the option of fitting a slightly sportier and firmer suspension, a suspension that would undoubtedly cost a little comfort but would give the model a sporty character and far better cornering.

If you test the new Accord Type S, you will surely, as I did, be struck by the smoothness of its pedals and the feel of a gear lever that is extremely pleasant to the touch and very precise, something you will undoubtedly enjoy having under your right hand thanks to its short, precise and, above all, agile throws.

Another detail that personally impressed me without doubt is the strength with which it pushes from a very low rev range: although it delivers a force of 380 Nm from 1,500 rpm, the car will not let you down at even lower revs, something we confirmed on the road and later in a couple of laps on a circuit next to the esplanade where Honda had its marquee set up.

That strength you will surely appreciate in situations where you need an “extra” of power, whether to make a quick overtaking manoeuvre or when driving in the mountains, where the 2.2 i-DTEC will certainly not let you down in the slightest.

If we set aside the mechanical capabilities of the model, it is time to talk about its dynamic qualities, which is ultimately what you will notice most once you get behind the wheel of this car, especially if you usually drive on mountain roads full of bends.

Truly, the qualities of this car are surprising, because at first glance its 1,558 kg of weight might seem to take its toll. Yet, surprisingly, and with a little cool-headedness, as Horacio Pagani used to say, you do not need to be Michael Schumacher at all to drive this car. You will be able to chain one bend after another without much difficulty, since to unsettle the car in a corner you would have to enter any bend or roundabout very far too fast.

On the other hand, it must be highlighted that this is a very comfortable car on the motorway and, above all, an economical one: on the motorway, at a steady speed of 120 km/h, our on-board computer showed a consumption of just under 5 litres/100 km, a figure well worth considering especially if you plan to use this vehicle for long journeys on open roads. That consumption may improve as the kilometres add up, since the units we tested barely exceeded 1,000 km on their odometer.

Full test at the INTA circuit

Once lunch was over and after an excellent technical talk, the event was supposedly over. I say supposedly because many had to leave in a hurry, as their flights or transport departed very early, something that fortunately, depending on how you look at it, did not happen in my case.

Thinking about the long afternoon wait that lay ahead of me at Chamartín, when it was just after 4 p.m. and my train left close to 8 p.m., I was pleasantly surprised when those of us who remained were offered the chance to try the Type S in both versions on a very technical circuit that INTA has at its facilities.

After deciding which vehicle I would get into, I was assigned the Sedan version. An instructor settled into the passenger seat to ride along, in the purest co-driver style, giving directions and corrections as I went around the circuit. Those tips were certainly very helpful, especially for improving my lap times and gradually getting more out of the 2.2 180-horsepower engine.

Honestly, it was in this setting that the Accord Type S surprised me most, above all for the power it is capable of delivering as long as we manage to keep the rev counter between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm, which, unless you are very clumsy, is not hard to achieve.

After five or six laps I got out of the sedan to take the controls of the Tourer, a model which, although heavier and less agile, keeps a behaviour very similar to the saloon, something its future buyers will certainly appreciate.

Now, has Honda got the Accord Type S right? In my view, yes, both for the extra power and for the aesthetic updates to its bodywork and interior. As a “but”, one might point out a suspension that does not do justice to a vehicle with such a sporty character. Despite all this, if what you are looking for in a sporty saloon or estate, even with a diesel engine, this is a very strong option to consider.