These are the first pictures of the US-market 2013 Honda Accord, due for release in North America in the fourth quarter of this year - and before you get too excited, bear in mind that the current model has nothing except the name in common with the Euro-spec Accord we get in South Africa.
That said, there's much of interest in these shots - and the publicity release that accompanied them.
Honda calls it 'the most sculpted Accord ever' but, truth to tell, the design language is evolutionary rather than all-new, with a new, heavier grille flanked by slimmer headlights with (optional) LED daytime running lights, multiple styling lines on the bonnet and a strong side character line flowing through the door handles and flaring upward toward the rear of the vehicle.
It's no bigger than its predecessor.
In fact it's noticeably shorter overall, but clever interior packaging allows increased passenger and cargo space.
Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda, explained: “Following Honda's long-held philosophy of 'man maximum, machine minimum,' the shape evolved from a focus on interior space and the needs of the people inside it.”
The shape has also been smoothed with low-drag exterior surfaces including nearly flush windshield glass, flush-mounted windshield wipers and careful under-body tailoring, to reduce fuel consumption.
The Accord will come with Hondalink, which uses your smartphone to access internet-based radio stations, podcasts and Facebook and Twitter posts.
MOTORVATION
American Accord customers will be able to choose between three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre four offering 135kW and 240Nm.
The top option will be a 3.5-litre V6 for which Honda quotes 231kw and 359Nm.
There will also be a plug-in hybrid with a two-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, a 120kW electric motor and an electric continuously variable transmission.
Honda says it will be able to drive 16-24km on battery power at up to 100km/h, and recharge in less than 90 minutes from a 220V socket.