Here's our first look at the rear of the new 2013 Accord along with KGP's commentary.

One of our friends has caught a 2013 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid night-testing on the streets of Los Angeles. The unclad prototype reveals a front fascia clearly inspired by Honda's Concept C show car from the recent Beijing Auto Show. The aggressive nose on this night-tested prototype looks very different from the first Accord sedan prototype that we caught testing last week. That first prototype, although significantly more camouflaged, had a more sedate grille treatment, with horizontal slats like those seen on the upcoming facelift for the Honda Crosstour. These latest flash-blasted shots suggests that a dual-styling strategy is likely in the works. This latest prototype has clear signs that it is, in fact, the plug-in hybrid version of the 2013 Accord, with its fuel-filler door on the rear fender and another round door to access a plug-in port on the front fender. The more "in your face" face revealed on this Accord plug-in prototype suggests that Honda is taking a cue from Hyundai's strategy with the Sonata. The standard Sonata's front fascia is sedate compared to the more adventurous gaping maw that defines the Sonata Hybrid's frontal styling. The Accord plug-in prototype reveals many as-yet-unseen details about the redesigned model's rear fascia. Beyond our first look at the Accord's tail-lights and its little duckbill spoiler poking out from the rear deck lid, we may also be seeing some redesigned elements exclusive to the Accord Hybrid, or at least the plug-in variant. Just as with the Sonata Hybrid, this Accord gets more angular, squared-off outer edges to the rear bumper. The styling detail likely improves aerodynamics. Whether this rear bumper design is exclusive to the Accord Plug-in Hybrid remains to be seen. The Accord's body side is also fully exposed on these night shots, revealing new surface development, and sleeker door handles. The overall effect is a bit less cluttered than the rather dowdy current model.

Last edited by JeffX on June 07, 2012 09:05