Accord Series: The Groundbreaking Second Generation

Accord Series: The Groundbreaking Second Generation

Original by Honda Magazine
Published: Updated Today
Source: JDM Enthusiast Magazine


🌟 Highlights
💡 World’s First Consumer Navigation System
💡 Digital Dashboards & Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
💡 Fuel Efficiency Meets Cutting-Edge Tech
💡 Self-Leveling Suspension for Enhanced Balance

💬 What’s Your Take?
👉 Love vintage Honda innovation? 🚗
👉 Dreaming of driving this tech masterpiece? Share below! ✨




The second-generation Accord was officially released on September 22, 1981, and compared to its predecessor, its biggest advancements were not in mechanical engineering but in equipment upgrades. This generation of the Accord became the world’s first vehicle to feature consumer-grade in-car navigation. While the navigation system used a gyroscope mechanism, similar to early ship navigation—known as inertial navigation—it didn’t diminish its pioneering status. Other groundbreaking additions included digital dashboards, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS systems, and multi-point fuel injection, all of which appeared for the first time in this generation.

Pioneering Car Navigation

Today, multimedia systems with satellite navigation have become standard in modern vehicles, but the roots of car navigation date back to 1930. A system called Iter Avto was introduced, capable of displaying a vehicle's position on a map by calculating driving distance. However, it was rudimentary, offering only point-to-point navigation. Fast forward to 1981: the second-generation Accord debuted with the Electro Gyro-Cator, a collaborative effort by Honda, Alpine, and Stanley Electric. This device marked the world’s first in-car navigation system for consumer vehicles.

Technology: The Electro Gyro-Cator used a helium gas gyroscope to achieve inertial navigation. Even today, inertial navigation is used in satellite navigation systems to track movements when signals are obstructed, such as in tunnels.
Cost: Priced at $2,750, about a quarter of the Accord’s price at the time.
Features: A monochrome 6-inch screen paired with manually placed maps.
Although basic by today’s standards, it revolutionized the concept of driving, providing drivers with the ability to explore unfamiliar areas with confidence. In the tech-starved 1980s, owning such a device was a significant status symbol—arguably cooler than driving a Ferrari 308 GTB.

Mechanical Continuity with Refinements

Mechanically, the second-generation Accord largely inherited its layout from the first generation—a practice now common in the auto industry. However, during the 1980s, this was considered a "lackluster" approach. At the time, automakers had less financial pressure to chase profits, as market positions were already well-established, and societal norms dictated which cars were suitable for different social classes.

This generation featured a 70mm longer wheelbase (2,450mm), giving it a sturdier stance. While the overall length of the four-door version was 40mm shorter (4,410mm), it was 30mm wider (1,650mm) and 5mm lower (1,355mm), resulting in a more robust and grounded appearance.

Innovative Suspension Design

Although the second-generation Accord retained the front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and MacPherson strut suspension of its predecessor, Honda introduced a self-leveling suspension system for Japanese models. This system was not aimed at enhancing performance but rather aesthetics. It adjusted the vehicle's height based on axle load, ensuring a balanced look regardless of passengers or cargo, thereby improving handling, braking, and aerodynamics.

Powertrain Options

At launch, the second-generation Accord offered two engine choices:

1.6L EP Engine: SOHC 8-valve design with Honda’s CVCC-II technology, producing 90 HP and 13.5 kg-m torque.
1.8L EK Engine: SOHC with a three-barrel carburetor, delivering 97 HP and 14.3 kg-m torque. The U.S. version, however, was limited to 73 HP due to stricter emissions standards.
By 1983, Honda upgraded the engines, introducing 12-valve configurations and a PGM-Fi fuel injection system for higher efficiency and power, marking the Accord's entry into the fuel injection era.

Design Evolution and Global Expansion

Exterior Design:
The Accord underwent subtle but effective design changes, adding modern features like power-assisted steering, digital dashboards, and optional glass sunroofs in mid-cycle updates.
Market Penetration:
United States: Honda began U.S. production in Marysville, Ohio, in 1982, where the Accord became the best-selling Japanese car for 15 consecutive years. Its fuel efficiency, reliability, and advanced features appealed to cost-conscious American buyers.
Europe: While it couldn’t outpace rivals like the Volkswagen Passat in Europe, it dominated markets in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
Legacy and Transition

The second-generation Accord was produced from 1981 to 1985, experiencing one mid-cycle refresh. It laid the foundation for Honda’s global success in the mid-size sedan market, setting the stage for the third-generation Accord (CA chassis), which introduced double-wishbone suspension and ushered in Honda’s era of performance-oriented family cars.

Stay tuned as we dive into the third generation Accord in the next installment!