Honda Gives European Lineup Extensive Revamp for Frankfurt Motor Show

Honda Europe Marks 2006 with Innovative Safety Features

This years Frankfurt Motor Show is going to be an event to remember for Hondas European division. Its the show that theyve chosen to debut their rather risqué, all-new Honda Civic hatchback at, one of the most important vehicles to the brand. While weve had a closer look at the new European-spec Civic, Honda will also be showing off several revised vehicles, responsible for keeping the brands image and product lineup current with the fast-paced European market.

The first product on the bill is the European Accord, sold in North America as the Acura TSX. It goes under the knife for the first time since its launch in 2002 taking up a mild facelift. New more angular headlamps, a revised grille with chrome trim outline, new bumpers and hood are a part of the visual update; the sharp-looking tail end features a new rear bumper, new bezels, and a new side sill garnish. While it is not offered in North America, similar changes plus chrome-plated quarter mouldings and longer roof rails will also be made to the Accord Tourer, the station wagon variant.

Inside, minor interior changes will be made to both the sedan and the Tourer. They include a new three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with thicker hand grips and chrome garnish, as well as new electroluminescent gauges that have easier to read fonts. New shift knobs for the manual and automatic gearboxes are also included. Navigation-equipped models will now feature an RDS function, which locates traffic jams or delays, and is able to recalculate a route automatically. Its similar to the AcuraLink found in the new RL sedan.

Mechanically, the 2.0 liter I-4 VTEC engine (Not sold in North America) receives electronic drive-by-wire which enables peak power and torque to be reached at 500 rpm lower, while the award-winning diesel (Hate it? Change it! advertisement included) now has a sixth gear in its manual gearbox.

The 2006 Accord will mark the first application of Hondas Advanced Driving Assist Systems program (ADAS) for short, which groups two new technologies together. The first of the two is the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), which uses a camera that sweeps the road, keeping track of the lane that the vehicle is traveling in. If the system detects that the car is traveling off the path, it uses the electrical power steering in combination with driver input to keep the car on course.

The second is an Adaptive Cruise Control system, a feature first seen on six-figure Benzes and Jaguars. The D-Segment Accord, when equipped with this option uses millimeter radar waves in combination with the vehicles speed to judge and slow the car down if a vehicle is detected in front. The system, which can be preset to several different distances, prevents the driver from having to apply the brakes while the cruise control is activated. Once the obstructing vehicle has passed, the ACC automatically resumes the original speed.

The second new product update that will be unveiled at the Frankfurt show is the S2000 two-seat roadster. With the cancellation of the NSX, this remains the sole rear wheel drive performance machine in Hondas lineup. 2006 model year S2000s gain a new throttle-by-wire drive system (see Accord for more details), and Hondas VSA Vehicle Stability Assistance program - the only new mechanical change which allows for better throttle control and engine management.

Visually, the car has been untouched from its 2004 update, where it gained a new lower fascia and bumper, but customers will be able to add a new Speedster hard tonneau cover option that has two moulded domes which streak back from the roll-bar for a classic sports convertible look. New ten-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and two new colors are also on the list: Bermuda Blue pearlescent and Dark Burgundy metallic. Inside, Honda has swapped out the silver alloy trim, replacing it with dark metal trim and has added a new trim color, two-tone Birch (brown) and Black leather. 60-watt speakers mounted behind the roll bars replace the option of in-headrest speakers.

Coinciding with the release of the North American Civic, Honda will also be showing the new 2006 Civic Hybrid at the IAA. Honda has fitted the latest IMA hybrid components into the US market four-door sedan, but will market it globally. It features distinctive new styling and a new 1.3 liter 3-stage I-VTEC engine coupled with a more efficient IMA system that is able to function in an electric-only mode. Advancements in technology have made it possible for Honda to reduce the size of the IMA package by 5%, while netting 20% greater output over the current system employed in the Civic Hybrid. At 95 hp, the new model gives the equivalent power of a 1.8 liter engine. Intrigued? Well bring you more on this fascinating Civic later in the week with a full-depth preview.

Finally, Honda will be showing its Legend sedan (Acura RL) at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A vast improvement over the previous RL, the new car is the most powerful Honda ever made, and features Hondas extremely advanced Super-Handling all wheel drive. The car will be used to gauge marketability in Europe, but will also be used to show-off several new technologies which will be introduced for 2006 model year cars. Many of these advancements have been already implemented in Hondas home market of Japan, but could soon appear in North American and Europe.

Like the Mercedes-Benz PRE-SAFE system, Honda intends on introducing the CMBS and E-Pretensioner system, an advanced sensor-based system which can help to prevent injuries and prime occupants for an inevitable collision. Using millimeter radar waves, it has the ability to warn the driver of an imminent collision by buzzing and showing a "BRAKE" message on the instrument panel. If a sufficient closeness is reached, the system will use the seatbelt pretensioner to tug on the drivers belt, and mildly apply the brake. If the collision is deemed to be unavoidable, the seatbelt pretensioners retract, eliminating slack, and the brakes are applied at full force to reduce impact speed.

A leader in pedestrian safety technology, Honda will fit the Legend with a pop-up hood to reduce potential injuries in a pedestrian collision. The system uses sensors, and if it detects a collision, it will raise the base of the hood (near the windshield) by 10 cm barrier between the engine bay and other hard components. Honda claims that this system can reduce the potentially lethal HIC (Head Injury Criterion) by up to 40%. Other impact-absorbing structures are located in the windshield wiper arms, fenders, hood, and bumpers.

The new Legend will also feature a heat-signature infrared night vision system which provides safer night time driving. However, Hondas system goes the extra mile, using an audible warning to alert the driver if the system picks up a signature of a person or object that is attempting to cross the path of the vehicle. Together with the standard adaptive front xenon headlamps, the new Legend should be one of the safest vehicles to pilot once the sun has set.

With products that demonstrate dynamic style, safety, and environmental friendliness, Hondas stands at this years Frankfurt show will be bigger and better than ever. Many of the model updates that have been listed in this news story aside from the European-destined Civic and the Accord Tourer will be implemented into effect into their equivalent models. It has yet to be announced when the 2006 model year products will make their North American debut, but it is expected that it will occur at a more local auto show such as LA, Detroit or New York.