Honda loves to recirculate its names across different markets and continents with the Inspire moniker being used for a variant of the latest-generation Accord in China.
Thanks to China’s MIIT, we now have our first look at the next generation mid-size sedan. Just like its predecessor, the sixth-gen Honda Inspire will be exclusively offered in China, since the nameplate has been discontinued from Japan. Predictably, the model has a lot in common with the eleventh generation of the Accord that is already available in the US market. The differences are focused on the front and rear ends, as is the case with most Honda twins in China.
Read: New Honda Integra Gains Hatchback Bodystyle As A Civic Twin For China
While other China-specific Hondas are admittedly more attractive than the global versions – like the Integra / Civic duo – this is hardly the case with the Inspire. The midsize sedan retains the slim LED headlights of the Accord (minus the US-spec indicators), but the different grille makes it look like a Star War’s Stormtrooper-themed vehicle. The horizontal slits on the grille might have looked nicer on an SUV, but they don’t do justice to the four-door sedan. The rest of the front bumper has also been redesigned with separated intakes reminiscent of the smaller Honda Civic.
At the back, the Inspire has slimmer taillights than the Accord, doing away with the trim that connects them. The tailgate has an integrated lip spoiler, while the bumper is also different with vertical instead of horizontal reflectors and a sportier diffuser. The latter can be body-colored or gloss black, depending on the trim. The rest of the bodywork including the clamshell bonnet, profile, doors, and greenhouse, are shared with the Accord.
According to the spec sheet from the MIIT, the Honda Inspire measures 4,979 mm (196 inches) long, 1,862 mm (73.3 inches) wide, and 1,449 mm (57 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm (111.4 inches). This makes it 9 mm (0.4 inches) longer than the Accord – due to the different bumpers, with the rest of the dimensions being nearly identical.
The Honda Inspire comes fitted with the non-electrified turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that is widely used in Honda’s Chinese range, being locally produced by Dongfeng. The mill produces 189 hp (141 kW / 192 PS) and is mated to a CVT gearbox sending power to the front axle.
In a few months, we’ll get to know more about the Honda Inspire as the company plans to formally launch it in China. It will be offered by Dongfeng-Honda as an alternative to the Accord by GAC-Honda, which is also expected to receive updates this year to align with the US-spec Accord
