Honda to stop producing Legend and Accord Inspire

2012 Acura RLX Concept

2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept

Breaking news! It appears that Honda Motor Co., Ltd will stop producing two luxury sedans by next month to allocate compact cars and minivehicles. Says here that Honda will stop producing the Honda Legend (known as the Acura RL in the States) at the end of June and the Honda Inspire (known in North American and Asian markets as the Honda Accord) this July! This is bad news, folks, this is bad news. We won't be seeing the Honda Legend or that CP3 Honda Accord Inspire again because they'll be dead. Yep. They'll be dead.

What about the production version of the Acura RLX? Some say that Honda has yet to decide to produce a production version of the Acura RLX sedan to its North American facility when a remodeled version is introduced next year.

Scoop:  http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120617b1.html 

Scoop:  http://carview.co.jp/news/2/167625/

So, what do you think? Post your comments below!

The 2011 Accord minor change arrived...9 months late since its Japan debut!

2011 Honda Accord Inspire

Yes, I know. The Honda Accord Inspire CP3 Phase II (the second phase of the CP3 Honda Accord Inspire launched in Japan since December 2007) was arrived in Japan since August 26, 2010 and it took us, Pinoy Honda fans, 9 months to wait till Honda Cars Philippines officially brought the Honda Accord Inspire CP3 minor change!

Scoop:

http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/honda-cars-philippines-launches-refreshed-accord

Let's see what's in store for the 2011 Accord. Well for some reasons, it sports a new grille inspired from the USDM Accord Coupe, and it featured Bluetooth connectivity exclusive to the 2011 Accord 3.5L variant. What remains the same is the interior, and the choice of either a 2.4L or the VCM 643 3.5L V6 i-VTEC engine.

Pricing starts at 1.7 million pesos for the 2.4L variant and 2.05 million pesos for the VCM 643 variant. If you guys don't know what's VCM 643, that's the Variable Cylinder Management that allows the V6 3.5L engine to run on either 6, 4, or 3 cylinders.

That was too close. And I'll mark the 2011 Accord's arrival as...

TARDY!

Super cool special edition Honda models (but offered in Malaysia only)

2011 Honda Concept M Series

Three of the best Honda vehicles in the ASEAN market; the Civic, the Accord (Inspire in Japan), and the Jazz (Fit in other markets) are all kitted out with some aero kits and dubbed as the Concept M.

Concept M stands for two of the famous modifiers from Honda such as Modulo and Mugen. These Malaysian-spec Civic, Accord Inspire, and Fit/Jazz special editions made us so envy, we, Filipinos, wish to have one of these hot Honda models because these three were kitted out with aero parts!

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2010/11/25/honda-malaysia-introduces-limited-edition-concept-m-models-accord-jazz-and-civic-get-all-dressed-up/

Honda Accord Inspire CP3 -Phase Two-

2011 Honda Accord Inspire

Upon the arrival of the fifth-generation Honda Inspire (known worldwide as the seventh-generation Honda Accord, not to be confused with the Honda Accord Euro sold in the North America as the Acura TSX) since the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and sales started since the 2007 holiday season, it seems that some people are loyal to the Inspire's executive looks, premium interior, and the innovative 3.5L V6 i-VTEC engine with the world's first Variable Cylinder Management, which allows the engine to be automatically set to either 3, 4, or 6 cylinders, depending on the driver's driving tastes.

In late August 2010, the Honda Accord Inspire gained a minor change to be more elegant, more beautiful, more luxurious, and more fuel-efficient than its pre-facelift predecessor. On the front, the Accord Inspire received a new face that looks similar to the US-only Honda Accord Coupe, providing an aggressive stance on Honda's flagship medium-sized vehicle. On the back, the Accord Inspire rear lamps getting minor improvements. The Inspire's rims have changed too. On the inside, the Honda Accord Inspire has faux wood paneling all over to further improve its modest status for the customers.

There are four available options to choose from;

1) Regular Package which features front-seat side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, front seat Active Head Rest, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) + TCS (Traction Control System), discharge headlamps, front fog lamps with auto light control, rain-sensing wipers, power seats, power steering, LED door mirror winker, instrumental cluster, telescoping steering wheel, rear sunshade, cruise control, steering audio switch, Honda Smart Key System with Immobilizer, Intelligent Dual Full Auto Aircon, available Honda HDD Internavi System, USB Jack, Active Noise Control, DVD/CD/AM/FM Player, and six speakers.

2) Leather Interior features everything from the regular package with two leather color choices; ivory or black. A front seat heater is added to give warmth to the passengers on cold nights.

3) Advance Package features everything from the regular package with Adaptive Cruise Control and Adaptive Collision Mitigation Brake + Seat Belt

4) The fourth package of the Inspire combines all three packages into one, providing this car with complete options to be more luxurious for the semi-wealthy.

My thoughts about the Inspire:
With the fuel economy of the Honda Accord Inspire CP3 raised from the previous 9.8km/L to 9.9km/L, there's still nothing special about the latest minor facelift for the Honda Accord Inspire. New look, same features. That's how I can explain more about the latest facelift for the CP3 Inspire. With the facelift now on sale in Japan since late August, could Honda Cars Philippines have a chance to bring the newly redesigned Inspire here to the Philippines? The Honda Inspire is the leading target of cars such as the Hyundai Grandeur, Kia K5, Subaru Legacy B4, Mazda Atenza/6, and even the Toyota Camry.