2013 Honda Accord Sedan & Coupe unveiled - bigger inside,smaller outside

Honda has dropped the first photos of the new 2013 Honda Accord. Dubbed as the sculpted Accord ever, the new Accord wears a more sophisticated exterior designed to last the test of time. The interior too is expressed as more luxurious and spacious. While the official dimensions is yet to be released, Honda has clearly stated that the 2013 Accord is smaller on the outside and bigger on the inside. The current model is quite humongous with its 4,950mm length (same as Lexus LS400 from last decade, clearly an S-Class challenger) so expect the new Accord to be slightly smaller, consistent with the trend set by the new Honda Civic.

The 2013 Accord wears a more formal looking face with distinctively sharp grille outline that link with the highly-tensioned looking hood character line.The headlamp is a toned down from the flamboyant current model, housed in more executive looking housing suit with prominent LED line-up. Looking at the side profile, it is clear that the new car has lost a lot of its fat. The side panel is more lean, athletic even.

The rear end has some Mercedes E-Class overtones in its rear light outline. However, Honda has a strong interplay of surfaces here, look at the rear bumper upper surface that blend with the vertical plane, and edged by the side panel that runs a crisp line that joins the trunk lid edge with is punctuated at the side by the line that runs down to the license plate chromed garnish.

The Accord Coupe gets a slimmer front fascia, with meshed grille, slimmer headlamp and sportier front bumper design. The rear end bumper gets a similar vertical meshed (with reflector) pattern on the outer edge.

The US version of Honda Accord is tipped to be powered by the new Honda's Earth Dream engine, which comprises the like to 2.4L direct-injection gasoline (at least 181bhp) mated to CVT or 6MT and 3.5L V6 with 6AT gearbox. The Hybrid version will be powered by the electric motor hooked to the 2.0L Atkinson cycle engine.

Typically, the Asian version differs from the US model by only the minor chromed garnishing. But as the new Accord is loaded with chromed trim already, and has a full length rear light, it is highly possible that our version of Accord will look just like this. But we might need to wait until the Asian car make it debut, probably as the new "Inspire" in Japan or some other market that is quick in introducing new model such as Singapore or China. Malaysian car is typically some 12 months late due to CKD program.

There is no release of interior photo, but from the previous spyshots HERE, the layout of the dashboard is clear to be seen. What do you think about the new Accord?

 

Kia Forte base model spotted in South Korea

After the typical unveiled of the highest specification and a series of glitzy studio shots of probably the most expensive variant, the base spec version of the new Forte K3 now spotted in South Korea. Among the main differences are the deletion of a string of LED DRL eyelid, no fog lights, smaller wheel (steel with plastic cap) and, wait for it, a totally different rear light minus the fancy LED strip lighting. These kind of transform the look quite significantly. What do you think?

Note the headlight "eyelid" without LEDs and no fog lamp. The side profile looks a bit bland with the tiny set of wheels. Glass house is as swoopy as the new Civic, but with an added panache of multi-contoured side panel.

Take a look at the rear light, and compared it with the launch version HERE. Some more photos after the jump.

Sportier Hyundai Sonata on offer & grab 1.88% interest rate

Hyundai has spiced up the Sonata range with the introduction of a sporty-look version and a low 1.88% interest rate for all Sonata variant. The latter is on offer until 30 September 2012. The new variant is available for both 2.0L and 2.4L, where cosmetic changes includes front lip, side skirt and rear bumper valance incorporating 4 exhaust(!). The rest of the exterior including wheels are retained from the current top liner of 2.0L Executive Plus and 2.4L Executive. 

Pricing is set at RM151,388 for the 2.0L version and RM169,388 for the 2.4L. This is RM2500 increased from the 2.0L Executive Plus and RM2,000 from 2.4L Executive respectively. Interior photo after the jump.

Scoop: 2013 Toyota RAV4 gone radically angular

The new Toyota RAV4 SUV has been spotted by the Toyota fan club up in Saudi Arabia. Although camouflaged, the exposed lighting and body ends revealed that the new RAV4 is set to adopt the new Toyota design language of distinct crisp angular lines. As can be seen with the recently scooped uncovered Auris, the front grille is dominated by large central portion housing the emblem, with a "whisker" going outward to meet the headlight. The rear light stands proud from the body, as per the Auris too. However, the interior is really revolutionary. Gone is semi-sporty RAV4 cabin, and in comes an even more distinctive with its layered dashboard.

More photos after the jump.

Lexus injects healthy dose of style into the 2013 flagship LS

The 6 year old Lexus LS-series has been given a serious dose of style injection to keep it afresh. The changes are so significant and altered the outlook too dramatically to be called a mere facelift. Although typically the life cycle of the LS series is around 6 years, Lexus has chosen to update the model in its sixth years of service, leaving us wondering if Lexus is indeed planning to extend its life a little further, judging by the sheer effort in restyling it.

For one, the exterior outlook has been brought aligned with the rest of the Lexus line-up. The sombre front fascia of the outgoing car has been dazzled by the huge spindle grille. Its mammoth, running all the way from the hood edge down to the air dam level. The crisp front fascia is joined by similarly sharply dressed headlight, which looks uncannily like the one on the new GS.

While the side profile is recognisably belong to the 4th generation LS, the rear end has been thoroughly tweaked. The trunk lid, lighting, garnish and bumper are all revised, with the chromed interlink between the more elaborate rear light bring on a harmonious look unfound on the previous LS. The character line that runs from the bumper, upwards into the rear light, narrowing before joining the trailing edge of the trunk lid has given a new found assertiveness as far as design impact is concerned.

Continuing the trend set by the new GS and updated RX, Lexus is also offering a sportier F Sport model. Similar in modus operandi to the Bimmer's M Sport model, the exterior outlook has been given an uptight of muscle contraction, firming up the look significantly. For the LS 460 F Sport, the front bumper is chunkier, with more pronounced curved and flared, especially around the lower air intake and fog lamp housing. The barely friendly face of the "normal" LS has been swapped for more angrier look, frumpy even.

The rear end tweaks are minimal. It is limited to the different lower valence design that features a few vertical strakes in place of the smooth item on standard LS car. The 10mm lower suspension and 19" alloy wheel complete the F Sport exterior makeover. The chassis has been tightened for the F Sport, featuring a stiffer shocks, Torsen LSD for the RWD and Brembo 6 pot caliper at the front.

If you want to find a reason why this 2013 LS is by no means a mere facelift, you just have to look at the interior. There's never been a facelift that gives the car a whole new dashboard! For the 2013 LS, Lexus has thrown the outgoing soulless dashboard to the bin, and in comes a more modern looking item. It gets a twin cowled top fascia which extend towards the middle of the car and house a gigantic 12.3" screen that housed the entertaintment and navigation system, complete with split screen hi-res functionality. The dashboard also gained a metal section that housed the classy analog clock, again similar in trend with the new GS and ES model.

The door trim has been updated too, although the basic moulded section remains the same. Lexus has replaced the wood insert with a more elaborate multi-section component, in-line with the look on the new Lexus GS. All in all, once seated in, you won't be recalling a 2007 Lexus LS anymore. The F Sport treatment meanwhile covers the trimmings and color scheme.

The updated LS series comes in four variant: LS460, LS460L, LS460 F Sport and LS600hL. Mechanically, these car are unchanged fundamentally, although the 4.6L V8 has been given a boost of power and torque, totally 386bhp and 497Nm. Drive is channelled via the 8 speed automatic gearbox, to the option of either RWD or AWD for the gasoline version. Performance can be described as scintillating, with century sprint can be completed in 5.4s while the top speed is limited to bizarre 210km/h only. The hybrid LS600hL continues to be powered by 5.0L V8 hooked to a pair of electric motor, making it an AWD only.

Full gallery of the 2013 Lexus LS can be found after the jump.