Though I wouldn't associate Honda taking its midsize sedan or coupe to the track, apparently the iconic Japanese brand has made its Accord Coupe a bit more race focused. While I don't think many of Honda's buyers are thinking about setting a better lap time in their Accord, I do think that buyers of the big "H" are victim to the same things that plagues any human — they want to be cool and have a certain image.
And that's why Honda's proud to announce the introduction of its Honda Factory Performance Package, which is now available for the Accord V6 Coupe. To be offered in limited quantities — 500, to be precise — it will offer some pretty standard modifications:
- HFP 19-inch wheel and "summer" tires
- Rear decklid spoiler
- HFP sport suspension — lowers the vehicle 15mm
- HFP front/side/rear underbody spoilers
- Red interior illumination
- HFP floor mats
- HFP badges (3)
- 3-year/36,000 mile warranty
Essentially these are the basics that any tuner would do to their vehicle. The question is with such a big JDM market for parts, why would anyone cough up the $4,620 — not including installation — that Honda is offering this for?
Honda's press release follows:
HONDA FACTORY PERFORMANCE PACKAGE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ACCORD COUPE V6
TORRANCE, Calif. - The limited-edition Honda Factory Performance® (HFP®) package for the Honda Accord Coupe V6 goes on sale today at select Honda dealers in the United States. First shown at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and recently performance tested by Honda's North American racing company, Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD), the HFP package adds significantly enhanced vehicle dynamics and distinctive styling cues to the already-sporty Accord Coupe.
To verify that the HFP package is more than just a pretty face, HPD, better known for its pinnacle racing efforts, was enlisted to conduct back-to-back track testing of the Accord Coupe V6 in stock and HFP forms. Their testing revealed that both cars are able performers, but the Accord equipped with the HFP package, utilizing a sport suspension package and 19-inch summer tires, felt more confident and stable and is capable of going around the track faster than the stock car.
"The new Accord Coupe V6 is already a natural on twisty roads, but the HFP package really takes it to a new level," said Lee Niffenegger, program senior engineer at Honda Performance Development. "With a lowered ride height, sport suspension and more performance-oriented tires, the HFP kit definitely provides more controlled body motions and enhanced stability."
The HFP package features 19-inch HFP alloy wheels; a decklid spoiler; HFP sport suspension (lowers height by 15mm and enhances handling); HFP front, side and rear underbody spoilers; red interior illumination; HFP floor mats and HFP badges for each side and the trunk. The HFP package, like all Honda Genuine Accessories, carries a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty when installed at the time of new vehicle purchase, and is engineered to be fully compatible with the vehicle. Enhancing its exclusive appeal, only 500 examples of this limited-edition HFP package will be sold for the 2013 Accord Coupe V6. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the package, not including installation, is $4,620.