For all intents and purposes, the American mid-sized sedan market is dying.  With a slew of varied choices ranging from crossover utility vehicles to larger-than-compact compact cars to roomy sports coupe, there are less convincing reasons why one should settle for a Plain Jane Camry or Altima or Accord.  That is, until now.  Realizing that their bread-and-butter market is on its death row, manufacturers are racing to come up with new twists and gimmicks to swing the market back into their stable.

The importance of grabbing sales from the competition was highlighted by the recent debut of the Accord Coupe Concept at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit) this year--the first time ever than an Accord debuted with such glitz and fanfare.  What made the "Concept" extra special was the absence of any sort of styling gewgaws: no trick door handles, fancy lighting, hidden side mirrors and all.  With the exception of minor detailing (i.e. bumper mounted quadruple exhaust tips), this is the production version of the Accord Coupe.  The question is, do they have a winner?

In terms of breaking the mold, there's nothing strikingly different with the new Accord.  Unlike its rival, the Mazda6 for example, which will still be offered in 3 body styles (wagon, hatchback and sedan), the new Accord is expected to bow in only with a coupe and sedan version available.  Equally, styling-wise, there's nothing radically different with the 2008 model.  Sure enough, the contours from the previous model have been carefully reworked and sculpted, but its silhouette generally echo those from the seventh and sixth generation Accord.  Those comments notwithstanding, the Accord looks taut and athletic.  Whereas the Camry looked sort of a pseudo-Lexus, the Accord Coupe Concept looks like the Japanese interpretation of a muscle car.  The flanks have been extended, the wheel arches bulged and the greenhouse smaller than before.  Overall, it's a bit boring, but it looks strong and clean--like how a Honda is supposed to be.

Perhaps the Accord Coupe Concept's weakest point is the rear.  Like the previous two generations of Honda's best-selling vehicle, there's an apparent lack of imagination here.  The rectangular tail lamp treatment with clear covers plus the overtly large Honda "H" logo is reminiscent of the American Mitsubishi Galant--a car that's, controversial at best in its design. 

Like before, there will be Accords designed for different markets.  The one seen on these pages, the North American version, will be the one that most likely end up here.  There are talks that the new Japanese/European Accord will feature design cues from the Civic--a strong possibility since it's the Civic that broke the mold in compact car design.  Some Internet bloggers say so far that the new Accord will actually look like a "stretched Civic."

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