Autos.ca Reviews the 2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe V6

July 16, 2013

2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe. Click image to enlarge

Review and photos by Steven Bochenek.
Over the years, I’ve owned two Honda Accords – and they were nothing like the half hour spent with the 2013 Honda Accord HFP.

In late June, Honda hosted a manual driving school for the media, which featured two 2013 Accord HFP Coupes, one black, the other white, and both a virtual crack hit to pilot. (There were also four Civic Si HFP Coupes.) The main point of the half-day event was to teach novices how to drive stick. Those of us who already knew how were more than welcome – the HFP coupes were the bait.

The instructors, both racers, set up two tight courses with pylons in a private parking lot. Their entire distance, turns included, would have been less than 750 metres each. Fortunately we were given nearly forty minutes to continually lap.

The HFP package is steroids for your Accord: the big V6 engine, 19-inch HFP alloy wheels on Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires, an especially sporty suspension actually brand HFP, lots of HFP jewellery displayed throughout the car, and spoilers all over to promote aerodynamic harmony. The effect is very attractive in a badass way.

You know that feeling when you bump into someone you haven’t seen in years and they’re terrifically fit? “I’ve been working out,” is what the Accord HFP would’ve told me if it could talk. Instead it screamed.

2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe. Click image to enlarge

Driving the short course?
The 3.5L 24-valve V6 engine – it takes regular gasoline, thank you – is matched to a manual transmission and has dual exhaust for better airflow (the double exhaust pipes also look wicked). Capable of emitting 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque, the engine let rip with magnificent acceleration. Then, almost immediately, we were into a 90-degree turn, showing off the sporty suspension and carefully tuned steering with just a touch of thrilling drift. Those extra big performance tires behaved like rolling carpet tape when needed.

Actually, we were turning a lot with just two straightaways – both of which would be better timed using quarter-seconds before turning again. The longer of them was probably less than 70 metres. The tilt/telescopic steering wheel promotes better control and confidence. (I like to be upright and close to the action especially when driving stick, but dislike raising my hands north of the nipples to get the nine and three-o’clock grip on the wheel.)

On a short course, the temptation is to look closely in front rather than off towards the next turn. But after a few laps, you learn how to play with the inertia, exactly where to brake gently, hard or halfway between; where to down- and upshift, as well as where to turn and how hard. The course was wet. Hydroplaning, steering the Accord HFP become almost like waterskiing.

Despite the constant steering there was no shortage of speed coming out of the turns. The HFP package inserts spoilers in 360 degrees: at the front underbody, rear underbody, side underbody and the deck lid (atop the back of the trunk).

Those of us comfortable with standard transmissions weren’t quite given carte blanche to play, but had far less supervision. One of the instructors told me none of the newbies actually got into third gear during the morning’s lessons.

No wonder.

The course barely allowed us into third gear, being so twisty and short. Indeed, the Accord was happy to live in second gear – revving high as you please and dropping when your foot lightened on the accelerator. The clutch was sensitive; finding the sweet spot going into first gear was easy. Typically I stall at least once when getting used to a new standard transmission. It didn’t happen with the Accord HFP, shifting back and forth between gears felt completely natural.

It was also easy with the Civic.

Yes, for a bit of contrast, I did a few minutes of laps in one of the 2013 Civic HFPs. If any newbie were to get to third gear on the day, it would’ve been in this. The four-cylinder engine puts out 78 fewer ponies and 82 fewer lb-ft of torque than the Accord’s V6. It’s a fun ride but the extra $10,000 you pay for the Accord HFP explain themselves not with words but loud growling actions.

What else does the 2013 Honda Accord HFP come with?
With a sticker price of $38,290, the 2013 Accord HFP would make anyone who’s not an adrenaline freak think twice. The entry trim, EX, starts at $26,345 – a wide gap. But the HFP does come with sweet swag and interesting details. At this top level, they don’t hold back.

It was a monsoon-like day with thick clouds rolling along and the light pouring in through the sunroof was occasionally sharp and bright, displaying the inside of the Accord to its most dramatic effect. Getting in, you’re continually reminded what you’re driving. HFP branding contrasts keenly with the bright red of the floor mats it’s sewn into. The mats look cool but would require a lot of attention to keep clean.

2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe. Click image to enlarge

The instrument panel and infotainment centre are modern and no-nonsense. Everything is exactly where it should be. The bright red ON switch wantonly beckons like some lady of the night, amidst almost completely black surroundings. You can turn off the lane departure warning and vehicle stability assistance (VSA) buttons simultaneously, just inches from your left hand. Above them, the bright Econ button stands out like a sore green thumb amid the same ubiquitous black with heavy red accents. I didn’t test the Econ feature on the day but did disengage the VSA.

The leather-trimmed seats were an option my wife and I never had with our Accords. The HFP’s driver’s seat was comfortable and fit snugly to the bottom, supporting the lumbar region well, and encouraging upright driving behaviour. It was a power seat, moving all directions gradually but easily: a bit of a surprise in such an otherwise uncompromisingly sporty-looking car. (The Civic seats were mechanical.)

2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe. Click image to enlarge

Getting into the back was easy enough despite the two missing doors and there was ample legroom for an average-size gentleman. When expanding your storage capacity you go big or go home. The entire back seat flattens in a single flap, not your typical 60/40 split. You pull a lever in the trunk to put it down.

Honda only produced 400 HFP units but if you’re keen, you’ll be pleased to know that the 2013 Honda Accord, when accorded the HFP steroid program, is covered by the same factory warranty.

Related Articles: Test Drive: 2013 Honda Accord Sedan V6 Touring Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mazda6 GT First Drive: 2013 Honda Accord Comparison Test: 2014 Mazda6 vs 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Manufacturer’s Website: Honda Canada Photo Gallery: 2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe

Exterior Styling: 4/5
Interior Styling: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Fuel Economy: 2.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Pricing: 2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe
Base price (Coupe): $26,345
Base price (HFP): $38,290
Freight & PDI: $1,640
Total: $39,930
Competitors:
Ford Fusion Titanium
Mazda6 GT
Nissan Altima Coupe

Source;
http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/quick-spin-2013-honda-accord-hfp-coupe/?all=1