2012 SEMA Show: Production Appearance Packages Debut for 2013 Honda Accord

Backed by a long track record of success in the tuner community, Honda is working to recapture some of its old-school custom-car mojo with the decidedly new-school 2013 Honda Accord. And this time around, the automaker is calling on the in-house experts at Honda Performance Development (HPD) to trick out the car. Actually, it’s “cars,” since HPD came to the 2012 SEMA Show to premiere production-ready appearance packages for both the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan and the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe.

(Oh, and HPD also brought a few of its other projects, too, including a replica of the Indy 500 racer that it backed for this year’s champ, Dario Franchitti.)

"Honda … and HPD are on a roll this year, and the SEMA Show gives us a great opportunity to show off a bit," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of National Marketing Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With the new Honda Accord clearly excelling in all areas … and HPD building championship race cars left and right, it's clear that the magic is back."

2013 Honda Accord Coupe HFP

Introduced in Las Vegas and coming to dealerships this spring is the new Honda Factory Performance (HFP) package for the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe—just note that it won’t be staying around for long, as the upgrade will only be available to 500 drivers. Those lucky owners will get a full HFP body kit that includes front, side, rear and underbody pieces, as well as a decklid spoiler. The result is an aerodynamically enhanced sport coupe that rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, which also lowers its ride height by 15 mm. Interior ambient lighting  provides a new look to the car’s cabin, while HFP floor mats and badging deliver the finishing touch.

The HFP package also provides another bonus: Putting the “Factory” into Honda Factory Performance also means the upgrade is fully covered by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty if it’s added at the same time the vehicle is purchased. As for pricing, the setup will add a further $4,650 to the MSRP of the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe (not including installation costs).

2013 Honda Accord Sedan X-Package

To further accentuate the streamlined shape of the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan, Honda also brought one to SEMA with the aero-oriented X-Package. It takes the same approach as the HFP Package offered on the Accord Coupe, but without the suspension and wheel enhancements. Thus, the X-Packaged 2013 Honda Accord Sedan wears a full complement of aerodynamic body mods at the front, side, rear and underbody, along with an exclusive sport-style grille and a choice between a rear decklid spoiler or a rear wing. Pricing begins at $2,071 and, like the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan itself, the package is on sale at dealerships now. (And yes, it’s also covered by Honda warranty protection.)

It’s also worth pointing out that Honda offers the X-Package’s individual body pieces for sale separately, too, allowing owners further freedom when it comes to customizing the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan.

2013 Honda Accord: Two from the Tuners

Additionally, Honda teamed with a pair of its long-time performance-engineering partners to showcase fully SEMA-fied versions of the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan and 2013 Honda Accord Coupe, with each wearing its new factory-backed appearance package.

Bisimoto bolstered the performance of the coupe with a Nitrous Express wet-shot chemical supercharger, NGK iridium spark plugs, PurOl Elite Series synthetic motor oil, mufflers from Burns Stainless, and its own cat-back exhaust system. Thanks to these upgrades and more, Bisimoto’s 2013 Honda Accord benefits from a 44 percent boost in power and now makes 401 hp. Also, to handle that power surge, the tuning shop deployed a new coil-over suspension, racing-style brakes, Honda’s HFP body kit, a large rear wing, sports seats and—just in case—a JNP roll cage.

Then, in a team effort from DSO Eyewear and MAD Industries extreme-sport apparel, a visually striking 2013 Honda Accord X-Package Sedan took to the SEMA stage. With an eye-popping White Orchid Pearl finish, accented by a Matte Blue Metallic wrap, the car has an equally sumptuous interior that’s been reskinned in premium Suedezkin and Katzkin leather. For premium performance, the DSO/MAD Accord rides on Falken rubber, 20-inch TSW matte-black alloy wheels and Eibach springs (that also lower the car by more than an inch). The soundtrack here is provided by 800 watts worth of premium audio equipment from Lightning Audio.

The party line: “Tuners were asked to push the limits of performance and style with their builds, and the vehicles on display demonstrate the personalized potential of the Accord Coupe and Sedan.”