This just in from Brenda Priddy & Co:

Michigan's first snow has also brought the first look at this development vehicle for an ALL-NEW Honda crossover vehicle! An Accord-based crossover vehicle has been rumored for quite a while now and these pics are the first proof the project has finally been green-lighted. At first glance, this vehicle may look like nothing more than the European Honda Accord Tourer. Closer inspection reveals that is not the case. For starters, the U.S. market Honda Accord front end has been grafted onto the body. While most of the body on this mule is non-production, this front end may actually be close to the final design of the nose we see on the production CUV. We can also see fender flares that have been tacked onto the body and covered with tape that matches the color of the paint. These flares indicate that the wheel track has been widened slightly. Looking directly behind the rear doors, it quickly becomes apparent that a few extra inches of sheet metal and glass have been added to the body, suggesting the final product will be a few inches longer than the current European Accord Tourer. This development vehicle is also riding higher than a standard Accord Tourer and actually resembles and Audi allroad in person. Based on the Honda Accord chassis, this all-new crossover vehicle will start production in the 4th quarter of 2009 at the Marysville or East Liberty factory. We've been told to expect a concept vehicle that foreshadows this new Accord CUV at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Accord CUV will slot in-between CR-V and Pilot and will look to do battle with Toyota's new Venza CUV. Powertrains are not yet known, but the motors currently found in the USDM Accord seem like a likely bet. We observed this mule testing alongside an Acura RDX. We also noted this mule accelerated rather briskly, so the 2.3L, four-cylinder turbo motor from the RDX may have a chance of making it into the Accord CUV. One thing we CAN say for sure about this vehicle is that AWD will be an option. A close look at photo #5 reveals that this prototype has a rear differential. More than likely, this means the car has Honda's VTM-4 AWD system. "Latitude" is one name rumored for the badge on the back of this new CUV. Though that now seems less likely as Honda allowed that trademark to expire many months ago. Look for more details to surface as we near NAIAS 2009. Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Co.

Last edited by Jeff on November 24, 2008 10:29