Honda Sets 19 Word Records with Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport

New Honda Diesel Can Compete with Any Car in its Class

While Honda doesnt sell its Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport in North America, its impressive record setting credentials are enough to make those on the left side of the Atlantic green with envy - green because of the environmental benefits inherent in its turbodiesel powertrain, and envious because such performance has few equals.

On Friday May, 7, 2004, a pair of silver European-model Honda Accords (a version of which is sold in North America as the Acura TSX) broke an astonishing 19 world speed records for its class at the Papenburg high-speed oval test track in north-west Germany.

What made the feat most impressive is that the records fell to diesel variant Accord, not the powerful gasoline version. Whats more, this isnt a specially-tuned Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport, but a production model fitted only with a roll-cage, racing harnesses and car-to-pit radios as the only modifications.

The Accord was randomly selected off the assembly line by the FIA (Federation Internationale de lAutomobile) for this test. For it to fall within its class, it must be between 2.0 and 2.5 liters in displacement.

The Accord, piloted by British journalist and Le Mans 24-hours, American Le Mans Series and the BRDC British GT championship race driver Robin Liddell, improved on the following notable records - a 214.19 km/h (133.04 mph) top speed over a 1.61 km (one mile) flying start; 137.25 km/h (84.25 mph) speed over a 1.61 km (one mile) standing start; and over a 24 hour endurance test, the Accord managed an average speed of 209.91 km/h (130.38 mph).

To top it all off both Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sports also broke a new record for low fuel consumption, having driven a 674.59 km (419 mile) run from the Papenburg test track to Wiesbaden, close to Frankfurt. The route comprised of a mixture of highway and secondary road driving, during which one of the Accords achieved an amazing average of 3.07 L/100 km (76.6 mpg).

At the end of the test session driver Liddell stated, "The cars performance is very impressive, demonstrated by the records weve achieved. Honda has made real steps forward in styling, ergonomics and interior design with the new Accord Diesel and now has a package that can take on the best cars in its class."

So why cant North Americans get cars as efficient and powerful as the Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport? So far diesels havent been accepted by the U.S. buying public, despite major technological advancements in recent years to make them quieter and less pollutant.

Actually, due to the much improved fuel economy, an average of 30 percent better than equivalent gasoline engines, cars equipped with diesels lower emissions by an average of 17 percent while saving their owners thousands in fuel costs over the lifetime of the vehicle. The best part of the equation is that diesel is plentiful, easily accessible and as of 2006 scheduled to be much cleaner in the U.S. and Canada.

A full list of the 19 records the Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport set is as follows:

Imperial Results:

• Standing 1/8 mile: 68.584 km/h
• Standing 1/4 mile: 86.717 km/h
• Standing mile: 134.800 km/h
• Flying mile: 212.856 km/h
• 10 miles: 197.020 km/h
• 100 miles: 209.657 km/h
• 500 miles: 209.651 km/h
• 1000 miles: 209.257 km/h

Metric Results:

• Standing 500m: 93.875 km/h
• Standing 1000m: 117.243 km/h
• Flying 1000m: 212.984 km/h
• 10 km: 189.579 km/h
• 100 km: 208.696 km/h
• 500 km: 208.609 km/h
• 1000 km: 209.006 km/h

Endurance Results (averages):

• 1 hour: 210.011 km/h
• 6 hour: 208.784 km/h
• 12 hour: 208.604 km/h
• 24 hour: 208.606 km/h