Honda concept gives clue to Accord

• Sharp, aggressive styling
• Hidden exterior door handles
• New stability control system

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Honda is planning to make the next Accord a whole lot sexier.

Insiders tell us this Sports4 concept, which makes its debut at this month's Tokyo Motor Show, gives a clear idea of what the
new Accord will look when it arrives in showrooms in 2008.

The exterior appears to be almost the finished article, and is a sleek and muscular
development of the rather bulbous shape of the current car.

Honda hasn't pulled any punches with the design of the new Civic, so we wouldn't
be surprised if the sharp headlights, prominent bonnet crease and triangular exhausts
of the Sports4 all make it from the show floor to the showroom.

Rear door handles are hidden, as on the Civic, but so are those for the front doors.
Look closely at the pictures in our gallery and you'll find them in the B-pillars.

The Sports4’s windscreen sweeps over the heads of occupants in two uninterrupted
stretches of sunroof that run the full length of the cabin. This is likely to be an option
on the next Accord.

The interior is likely to be toned down and revert from the concept's four-seater layout
to a more traditional five-seat design.

Honda says its new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive stability control system, which
makes its debut on next July’s Legend, will also be fitted to the forthcoming Accord.

Honda will show two other new design studies at the Tokyo show. The WOW concept
is a dog-friendly MPV with plenty of baskets to keep four-legged passengers comfortable
and safe. The FCX is the next stage in the company's development of hydrogen-powered cars.

• We'll have all the news, pictures and gossip from the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show
on October 19-20.