2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6

Honda's vision for its seventh-generation Accord was a fairly straightforward one: optimize its well-established practical qualities but add a long-overdue measure of pure visceral appeal to the mix. That mission was deemed particularly critical with respect to the two-door model. Whether its latest sheetmetal stylings went far enough remains open to debate, but there's precious little to fault in the comprehensive mechanical upgrading that's been wrought upon the rest of the package. Nowhere is that transformation more evident than in the hottest of the new Accords: the top-line Coupe EX V-6 with manual transmission. Easily the quickest, best-handling and most exciting variation on the basic theme ever to see a showroom, it picks up where the other two- and four-door models leave off, bringing a plethora of unique tweaks that turn it into even more of a driver's car.

Without a doubt the most dramatic change in the Accord formula comes in the powertrain department.

Without a doubt the most dramatic change in the Accord formula comes in the powertrain department. The good news starts with the base four-cylinder that has been comprehensively redesigned, rising in displacement from 2.3 to 2.4 liters. It gained twin balance shafts and intelligent VTEC (VTEC-i) in the process, the former adding a new level of smoothness, the latter bringing continuously variable timing in the intake valves, helping bump output from 150 to 160 hp and torque from 152 to 161 lb-ft while actually improving EPA mileage numbers.


It's at the V-6 level where things really get things jumping, though. Still displacing 3.0 liters, it now incorporates more precise electronic throttling and uses a compression ratio bump, high-efficiency manifolding and a more sophisticated 3-rocker VTEC configuration to help raise horsepower from 200 to a stout 240 and kick torque up from 193 to 212 lb-ft. Here too, the benefits go well beyond mere output gains. The latest iteration of this all-aluminum SOHC stormer now gets even better fuel consumption yet burns regular unleaded gas and still meet 49-state LEV II LEV smog standards--and even tougher ULEV specs in California.


To take full advantage of the extra muscle on hand, Honda backed both engines with an array of new transmissions. In LX and EX Coupes with V-6 power, the choice is between a lighter, more compact 5-speed automatic transmission that replaces the 4-speed unit used previously and a slick close-ratio 6-speed manual box that's only available on the top-echelon two-door. While shortish throws, a self-adjusting clutch, shock-attenuating dual-mass flywheel and multi-cone synchros in the bottom four cogs merit high technical marks, the empirical payoff comes in the form of 0-60 mph times that hover around the 6-second mark. Lest anyone fail to recognize the performance potential within, the V-6/6-speed package also includes a unique resonator in the intake tract that contours the sound upstream of the combustion process and a cat-back exhaust that imparts its own special sport sound downstream. On an even more pragmatic level, redesigned motor mounts allow for elevated levels of aural excitement while cutting the amount of vibration that gets transmitted back into the passenger compartment.

Only the 6-speed Coupe wears 215/50VR17 rubber in place of the 205/60VR16s that come on its autoshifted counterpart.

The Accord's decellerative capabilities also get suitably upgraded for '03, with ABS becoming standard across the line. Committing to best-in-class performance in this critical area, Honda fully reengineered the entire system, shorting the pedal stroke and fitting a larger booster for better actuation and a firmer feel. While all but DX and LX 4-cylinder models (which continue with disc/drum binders) gain Electronic Brake Force Distribution as well on their disc/disc hardware, the V-6/6-speed goes one step beyond, increasing the diameter on its vented front rotors from 11.1 to 11.8 inches. Out in the real world, this enhanced package performed as touted, consistently delivering short, straight and fade-free stops.