Honda showed off the Concept C at Beijing this month, a large sedan that—like all concepts shown in China this year—was inspired by dragons, according to Honda. And Chinese people sure love their dragons, it seems. Question is, will the Americans love dragons as well?
Lidded like a jack-o-lantern with a Depardieu schnoz, the Honda Concept C could harken the next Accord, based on the virtue that it 1.) has four doors, and 2.) the Accord is growing long in the tooth, which gives it at least one physical trait with the Concept C. But Honda needs this bout of inspiration, and attention: Detroit’s Accord Coupe Concept was merely the preview to a mid-cycle refresh, for a car that’s been fundamentally unchanged for five years. Five years. In the automotive realm, it’s about as old as an actual dragon.
The Concept C—which, according to Honda, does stand for “cool,” “challenge,” or “China”—has many coupe-like styling elements too, even though it’s not a true coupe: its knife-edged surfacing seems to recall the Hyundai Equus’s flanks, while aggressive, pointy tailights and hidden doors in the back give it more style than any previous Accord yet. In fact, we reckon it looks more befitting of an Acura flagship than the RLX does.
Honda loves to not disclose its future plans, but we won’t be surprised if its American design studio takes notice. Remember, the Chinese and American markets are surprisingly similar, with both favoring size and a certain level of Haagen-Dazs-infused cushiness in their midsize sedans. The aggressive vents might not make it into production, but we hope the rest of the shape will inject some newness into the Accord name. And if it comes to America, will it come with plenty of “bald eagle-inspired” detailing? Maybe some bald eagle stickers on and underneath its hood, à la Jeep Wrangler? Will its horn play Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American?” Hey, cultural heavy-handedness works on both sides of the ocean.
Source: Automobile
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