The difference in materials is noticeable, I agree. But not £5K noticeable. The plastic's are the same, but the Audi does with more chrome fittings(most are extra's you need to pay for like the centre console air blowers). To me, it's an unashamed Polo in slightly fancier dress in the hope of parting the general public of an extra few more thousands. Fair play to VW, they found a market full of people who don't care, or that are plain oblivious to what is happening. Non too chuffed I reckon. I wonder what BMW and Mercedes could conjure together to counter the VW juggernaut? 1 series based A-Class in 2018? S-Class based 7 series in a few years? It may just happen if VW continue printing cash the way they are. When you compare Skoda to Audi the difference is stark in Price and Quality. When you compare VW to Audi, the difference is marginal on quality, and remains stark on price. EDIT: For the Audi fans out there, I mention sub premium, not sub standard.
If the antenna is obstructed by a tunnel, a parking garage or a tall building, an internal gyroscopic system and a speed sensor track the location of the vehicle so that the map information remains current and reliable. The vehicle clock is independently controlled by GPS data, so when time zones are crossed while driving, the clock will automatically set itself to the current time. To simplify phone pairing, Accord Touring trims are equipped with a Near Field Communications (NFC) system. To pair a compatible phone, simply tap the phone near to the NFC logo on the instrument panel, then follow the on-screen prompts. Once the phone has been paired with the vehicle, an additional tap on the NFC logo will transmit image data to the Accord's audio system, where it can be displayed on the Display Audio system. With a wide range of tech features, in the Honda Accord, connectivity is key. Based on trim level, the Accord has an expanding complement of connectivity features.
Based on a substantially stiffer unibody structure with new front and rear suspension systems and benefitting from a lower center of gravity and a lower front roll center height, the 10th-generation Accord's chassis significantly advances the dynamic performance of Accord. Handling prowess, steering and braking precision and ride comfort communicate a sense of "absolute confidence" to the driver and passengers in all driving conditions. The new Accord features larger front disc brakes, standard 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 225/50R17 all-season tires and available 19-inch wheels and 235/40R19 all-season tires. Shared with certain other 2018 Honda models are Straight Driving Assist, Agile Handling Assist, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold, Hill Start Assist, and an Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The 2018 Accord's new suspension system uses a combination of front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link with rigid subframes, including a lightweight cast-aluminum unit in front and floating type in the rear.
The strut-style front suspension improves the room available for crash reinforcement, and the compact multi-link rear suspension provides outstanding handling characteristics and ride quality - while also helping to maximize second-row seating and cargo space. Front and rear stabilizer bars on all trims improve turn-in response while reducing body roll during cornering. The stabilizer bars are now bonded to their mounting bushings and use low-friction connecting links for smoother operation. Sport trims have firmer spring and stabilizer tuning for improved responsiveness and a more connected feel, in keeping with the expectations of the Sport buyer. In a first for Accord, Touring trims feature an Adaptive Damper System with a wide range of damping capabilities. Controlled by a microprocessor using information from the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system's wheel sensors, yaw/G sensor, engine rpm and torque, and steering angle, the Adaptive Damper System can adjust every 0.002 seconds to adapt individual wheels to road surfaces.
This provides the Honda Accord Touring trims with the most composed and comfortable ride possible for the road conditions. By selecting NORMAL or SPORT setting on the center console, the driver can take advantage of ride and handling characteristics focusing on either a more comfortable ride or else more responsive handling. The Adaptive Damper System links to the ADS function; when in SPORT mode the Accord Touring's steering function firms up the dual-pinion variable-ratio electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering (EPS), adding a higher level of feedback and feel for the driver. The system automatically resets to NORMAL whenever the Accord is started. A new MacPherson strut front suspension is engineered to provide inspired handling performance and a responsive feel for the driver. New L-shaped aluminum lower suspension arms connect to the cast-aluminum subframe via hydraulic compliance bushings. Engineered to absorb both longitudinal and lateral forces, they provide the ideal combination of handling stability and ride comfort, along with maximum isolation from road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
