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| Honda Accord generation 1982–1985 |
Debuting on September 22, 1981 in Japan and Europe, and as a 1982 model in North America, this generation of the Accord being produced in Japan, became the first to also be built in the U.S., at Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio. Since its first year in the American market, it also became the best-selling Japanese nameplate in the U.S., holding that position for about 15 years. In Japan, a sister model called the Honda Vigor was launched simultaneously with the new Accord.
Modernizing both the interior and exterior, the second generation Accord was mechanically very similar to the original, using the same 75 hp (56 kW), 1,751 cc (1.751 L; 106.9 cu in) EK1 CVCC engine. Fuel economy increased by nearly 15%. Vastly improved quality control however, made this one of the most reliable cars on the U.S. market, a position it still holds today. This automobile included popular features of the time such as shag carpet, velour cabin trim and chrome accents. An optional extra on the 1981 Accord was an Electro Gyrocator, the world's first automatic in-car navigation system. Models were available in Silver, Sky Blue, and Beige. The LX hatchback offered a digital clock and slightly higher fuel economy (due to its lighter weight).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration imposed stringent lighting requirements on U.S. models which prevented Honda from including the aerodynamic molded headlight units which were used on Accords sold outside North America. The U.S. NHTSA required the use of sealed beam glass units to prevent fogging and allow for easy and readily available replacement of units damaged by rocks or other road hazards. U.S. Accords were also required to have a side marker light installed on the side of the rear fenders. European Accords included additional rear fog lights embedded into the rear bumper (mandatory there since 1980), as well as headlamp spray washers. When Honda New Zealand won a government order for black-and-white traffic patrol cars, it included the European rear bumpers in the assembly kits and rewired fog lamps for additional rear red flashing warning lamps as part of the special police-pack equipment. Japanese Accords were unique from all other markets in that they included adjustable ride height control and side view mirrors installed on the mid-forward fenders.
In 1983, Honda upgraded the automatic transmission to a four speed, a major improvement over the earlier, three speed 'Hondamatic' transmission. The manual five speed transmission remained unchanged. A new 120 mph (190 km/h) speedometer replaced the earlier 85 mph (137 km/h) unit. The Special Edition (SE) featured novio-leather seating, power windows, power sunroof and door locks. Gray was added as a color option.
| Also called | Honda Vigor (Japan) |
|---|---|
| Production | 1982–1985 |
| Assembly | Sayama, Saitama, Japan Marysville, Ohio, USA Nelson, New Zealand |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 1.6 L EL1 I4 (CAN, NZ) 1.6 L EZ I4('84,'85 EU) 1.8 L EK1 I4 ('82,'83 US) 1.8 L ES2 I4 ('84,'85 US) 1.8 L ES3 I4 ('85 US) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |