***OFFICIAL*** 2003 Honda Accord PICS!!! ***CONFIRMED!***

[UNCjigga]

LINKY FOR PICS

Official TOV link for new pics <-- Site is extremely slow right now...

OMG ITS SO FUGLY!!!! I HOPE THEY DID A BETTER JOB WITH THE COUPE!!!!

Official website for National Press Launch (login: honda, password: accord)
Temple of VTEC (click to Accord forum)
Car & Driver (click forums, then 'Mainstream')
HondaBeat (has '03 Accord dedicated section w/fakes and spy shots, but I don't know how frequently this is updated?)
Hollywood Reporter (notorious for fake pics, but hopefully they'll post the real thing once they've got it!)
College Hills Honda (notice their status says there will be no updates during the same timeframe as the unveiling...)
Autoweek (NFS4's favorite website!)
Edmund's (NFS4's second favorite website!)
*NEW!* Webcam of supposed launch area! (Resolution sucks, but hey if you're bored...)

What we know: [from Edmunds.com]

"What We Know: With much stronger competition from the new Camry and Altima sedans, the best-selling Accord will get a full redesign for 2003. Dimensions are expected to increase in every aspect, with styling that Honda officials have called the "most radical ever" for this nameplate. They've also hinted that it will get a V6 with upwards of 240 horsepower."

Confirmed?: [from College Hills Honda dealer]

All new for 2003 inside and out. Available with Satellite Navigation System. 6-spd manual for the V-6 Coupe and 5-spd Automatics will be available. New colors include Sapphire Blue Pearl, Desert Mist Metallic, Graphite Pearl, and Redondo Red Pearl. Expect the all new Accord in showrooms this September.
NOTE: V-6 Manual Transmission Coupes will not be available until Spring 03.

Sedan trim options

Coupe trim options

Spy Pics [from Temple of VTEC]

EDIT: Please feel free to post any additional info/pics in this thread! This thread will be updated with pics when available!

EDIT (6/19):

Okay I've heard rumors that:

1) The venue has been changed--amateur spies say there is nothing Honda-related going on at Hollywood & Highland or that hotel
2) Because there are two waves to accomodate all the press, an NDA is in effect until (AT LEAST) the end of Wave 2 (which ends this weekend) so that Wave 1 does not have a 'scoop' advantage.
3) The College Hills spec sheet is not entirely correct--apparently the 6-speed manual tranny being offered with the coupe will not be available on Accord Coupe EX--in fact it is reserved for the all new Accord Coupe Si, which will also be the only model with a high-output V6 (255 hp!) Apparently this signals that the Accord Sedan V6 will NOT compete with the Nissan Altima, as there are no plans for an Accord Si sedan.

 

[NFS4]

WOOT!!!

Any reason to get the Altima (or Camry for that matter) just went out the door

 

[SSP]

When will we see a pic of the real deal???

 

[UNCjigga]

SSP, I assume with a national press launch tomorrow we'll start seeing some pics at Edmunds, C&D online, R&T online, etc!!

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

W00T!! Finally another Japanese manufacturer that offers a manual tranny with its V6!! I hope they firm up the suspension for the Coupe version to make it somewhat competitive.

Also why isn't the sedan getting a manual??

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
W00T!! Finally another Japanese manufacturer that offers a manual tranny with its V6!! I hope they firm up the suspension for the Coupe version to make it somewhat competitive.

Also why isn't the sedan getting a manual??

Considering that the number of manual Altimas sold is probably less than 5%, I think there's your answer.

 

[RossMAN]

[regret phase starting]

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
W00T!! Finally another Japanese manufacturer that offers a manual tranny with its V6!! I hope they firm up the suspension for the Coupe version to make it somewhat competitive.

Also why isn't the sedan getting a manual??

madd, I believe the sedan will indeed be offered with a manual, though not with a 6-speed manual! Ahh, you were asking about V6 sedans. I guess the College Hills trim sheet shows no manual tranny with V6.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
W00T!! Finally another Japanese manufacturer that offers a manual tranny with its V6!! I hope they firm up the suspension for the Coupe version to make it somewhat competitive.

Also why isn't the sedan getting a manual??

Considering that the number of manual Altimas sold is probably less than 5%, I think there's your answer.

Probably, but that's what makes them special! Even the new 6 is offering a manual with their V6.

Btw, is the 6 hatchback coming here? Or just the sedan variant?

In any case, I'm excited about the new midsize car market that is going to blossom next year...most of the cars will offer the same excitement...Nissan, Honda, Mazda, etc.. hopefully Ford wil bring the Mondeo over to!

NOTE: this is from an enthusaists point of view, not from the common consumer.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
[regret phase starting]

Buahahahahah...should have kept that Corolla a little bit longer.

It always comes back to bite you in the ass

 

[crawford]

i wonder if i saw some of them the other day, i was in flagstaff, az and i was driving past this hotel and i see these cars. i was like wtf are those so i went over to them and looked in but all of the things that said what kind of car it was were gone. there were like 6 of them, all different trims with like leather, coupe, sedan, rims, hubs, everything like that.

Then i went over to one of them and the thing on the steering wheel that was supposed to cover the brand fell off and it was honda. i was like damn thats a sweet honda, and in the backseat there were all these computer things which i assume measure gas mileage and stuff like that. they were really good looking, at first i thought they were like alfa romeos or something.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: RossMAN
[regret phase starting]

Buahahahahah...should have kept that Corolla a little bit longer.

It always comes back to bite you in the ass

I know, I know but I just couldn't resist.

 

[BCYL]

Yes! Finally a manual transmission for the V6!!! I have waited so long for this....

any ideas on price?

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: crawford
i wonder if i saw some of them the other day, i was in flagstaff, az and i was driving past this hotel and i see these cars. i was like wtf are those so i went over to them and looked in but all of the things that said what kind of car it was were gone. there were like 6 of them, all different trims with like leather, coupe, sedan, rims, hubs, everything like that.

Then i went over to one of them and the thing on the steering wheel that was supposed to cover the brand fell off and it was honda. i was like damn thats a sweet honda, and in the backseat there were all these computer things which i assume measure gas mileage and stuff like that. they were really good looking, at first i thought they were like alfa romeos or something.

PICS? LOL, first we've got the 2004 Maxima w/Michigan plates running around, now its time for these Accord spy pics. I do believe someone posted Accord spy pics from a hotel parking lot last month.

 

[Pliablemoose]

pics?

pics II

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: NFS4
WOOT!!!

Any reason to get the Altima (or Camry for that matter) just went out the door

Let's not get TOO carried away yet. I was totally unimpressed with my last Accord (a '98 V-6 EX) - IMO they have lost a step in build quality and engineering, and the Accord has few if any sporting aspirations nowadays, regardless of how many cylinders it boasts. Hopefully the new Accord will not suffer from the wallowing suspension of its predecessor - we shall see . . .

 

[BCYL]

From the pics of the original post:

What the heck is with the taillights??? Those just look nasty.... and I was all excited about the 6-spd manual on the V6 too....

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: BCYL
From the pics of the original post:

What the heck is with the taillights??? Those just look nasty.... and I was all excited about the 6-spd manual on the V6 too....

I would assume they are masked to obscure the overall design of the car - I doubt very much that Honda would release the car with these taillights.

 

[RSI]

ROFL

 

[ElFenix]

the altima and maxima have a much much nicer transmission as far as smoothness is concerned than the current accord, and the altima has better suspension too. if the altima interior quality improves for next year to take over from the maxima (which is reasonable) i'd rate the altima to be better than an accord.

 

[crawford]

Originally posted by: uncJIGGA

Originally posted by: crawford
i wonder if i saw some of them the other day, i was in flagstaff, az and i was driving past this hotel and i see these cars. i was like wtf are those so i went over to them and looked in but all of the things that said what kind of car it was were gone. there were like 6 of them, all different trims with like leather, coupe, sedan, rims, hubs, everything like that.

Then i went over to one of them and the thing on the steering wheel that was supposed to cover the brand fell off and it was honda. i was like damn thats a sweet honda, and in the backseat there were all these computer things which i assume measure gas mileage and stuff like that. they were really good looking, at first i thought they were like alfa romeos or something.

PICS? LOL, first we've got the 2004 Maxima w/Michigan plates running around, now its time for these Accord spy pics. I do believe someone posted Accord spy pics from a hotel parking lot last month.

man I wish i took pics, but of course i didnt. i was hungry and wanted to get something to eat.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the altima and maxima have a much much nicer transmission as far as smoothness is concerned than the current accord, and the altima has better suspension too. if the altima interior quality improves for next year to take over from the maxima (which is reasonable) i'd rate the altima to be better than an accord.

You haven't even seen the new accord yet

The truth of the matter is, the Accord has more polish than the Altima. From the interior to its build quality to it's overall structure, and that's coming from a vehicle that was released in '97 vs '01. The Accord isn't the car with something to prove here.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the altima and maxima have a much much nicer transmission as far as smoothness is concerned than the current accord, and the altima has better suspension too. if the altima interior quality improves for next year to take over from the maxima (which is reasonable) i'd rate the altima to be better than an accord.

You haven't even seen the new accord yet

The truth of the matter is, the Accord has more polish than the Altima. From the interior to its build quality to it's overall structure, and that's coming from a vehicle that was released in '97 vs '01. The Accord isn't the car with something to prove here.

is the build quality sub-par on the rest of the altima? i thought it was just interior from looking one over... the rest of it seems like maxima parts. as for the rest of it, the VQ35 seems like a better engine than anything honda has, the drive train is definitely smoother than the current accord, the suspension is better (of course, from the boat the camry is to an accord is a step up ). i would not be surprised if the suspension is worse in the next accord, just as they did to the civic and integra/rsx.

 

[NFS4]

the rest of it seems like maxima parts

Aside from the engine, I believe that the Atlima is an all new platform with no other carryovers...in fact, the Altima uses a sophisticated multilink rear suspension and the Maxima uses a beam rear axle.

the drive train is definitely smoother than the current accord

More powerful, yes. Smoother, that's in question.

i would not be surprised if the suspension is worse in the next accord, just as they did to the civic and integra/rsx.

This I have never understood. The switch from double wishbones to mac pherson struts have NOT hampered the Civic/RSX's handling prowress (and was done from a packaging/cost standpoint). I guess people just have to have something to complain about. The Porsche Boxster, 911, and BMW M5 all use mc pherson struts up front. I don't see people bitchin' about them

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Glad I waited on buying a new car, although I would probably still consider an Altima though