Home New Car Launches New variant added to Honda Accord line-up: 2.0 VTi-L

New variant added to Honda Accord line-up: 2.0 VTi-L

New Car Launches

by Kon - Jul 15, 2009

The two most popular variants of the Honda Accord, the 2.0 VTi and the 2.4 VTi-L, are priced a good RM30k apart. Now, a new variant is introduced to sit in between the two, powered by the engine of the 2.0, and armed with the features of the 2.4.

This brings the total number of variants for the Accord to four, with the 2.0 VTi-L joining the 2.0 VTi, the 2.4 VTi-L and the 3.5 V6. Honda Malaysia expects to sell 200 units of the 2.0 VTi-L per month, meaning that the new variant is set to account for 40% of total Accord sales.

Honda is pricing the new 2.0 VTi-L at a RM8,000 premium over the VTi. For that money, they are offering you a leather-finished interior, auto-cruise and signal lights built into the side mirror. The driver’s seat gets fully automated 8-way adjustment, power lumbar support and well-located (Honda’s choice of words) arm-rests.

Besides introducing this new variant, Honda is also making available additional options for buyers of existing variants of the Accord. A new colour option is added to the mix, called Taffeta White, shown in the images provided by Honda accompanying this article.

A state-of-the-art GPS-based security system, the Connex Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) is also offered for all versions of the Accord at a price of RM3,660 inclusive of installation. The price also covers the subscription fee and a Compensation Guarantee for the first year of usage.

Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director Toru Takahashi explained, “The additional options of new variant, color and security system are in response to customer feedback. We believe our sophisticated customers would appreciate greater value and luxury. It is Honda’s commitment to continually strive to uphold our Customer Satisfaction No.1 policy, meeting needs and providing more options.”

Since its launch in April 2008, this latest of version of the Accord, which is the eighth generation of the model, has sold 9,900 units in Malaysia, with a further 600 customers currently waiting for their cars.

In conjunction with the introduction of the new 2.0 VTi-L version to the lineup, Honda Malaysia has launched a fine art photography campaign called “The Perfectionist – Presented Exclusively by Accord”.

According to the Honda press release, ‘this campaign aims to cultivate aspirations and ambitions through six personas via fine art photography. Fine Art photography is used because it enables us to see certain elements and beauty that may not be immediately apparent at first glance’.

As part of the campaign, a five-day long exhibition in photography will be held in One Utama, Petaling Jaya starting on 29 July 2009. Besides the unveiling of a commemorative book featuring some of the best photos of the Accord, the exhibition will also see the new Accord 2.0 VTi-L displayed alongside its other brethren.

For the upcoming Autoworld Safety & Defensive Driving Course, we will be borrowing five demo cars from Honda, which will include the Accord 2.0 VTi & 2.4 VTi-L. Although we won’t be getting the 2.0 VTi-L, we will be pitting the 2.0 VTi & 2.4 VTi-L against each other, and we shall see how nicely would a 2.0 VTi-L will fit in between the range. Do stay tuned for that.

Until then, the new Accord 2.0 VTi-L is now available for viewing at all authorised Honda dealers. For more information, please call Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to Honda Malaysia’s website at www.honda.com.my for more details.