Refresh (1984-1985)

By 1984, Accords sold in the eastern U.S. were produced at the new Marysville plant, with quality considered equal to those produced in Japan. In late 1983, for the 1984 model year, the Accord body was restyled with a slightly downward beveled nose; and, the slightly more powerful ES2 1,829 cc (1.829 L; 111.6 cu in) CVCC powerplant was used, bringing 86 bhp (64 kW). The redesign in late 1983 is often called the second series of the second generation. Honda integrated side marker lights into the side of the tail light units which satisfied the D.O.T.'s side marker requirements and ended the difference between cross market tail light configurations. European Accords, however, now included signal lights on the forward fenders, just behind the wheel well. The U.S. Accord still lacked the molded head light units.

The LX offered velour upholstery, auto-reverse cassette stereo, air conditioning, cruise control, power brakes, power steering, power windows & power locks (sedan only), a digital clock, and roof pillar antenna, along with thick black belt moldings, integrated bumpers and flush plastic mock-alloy style wheels covers that resembled the trend-setting Audi 5000. Supplies were tight, as in the Eastern states, the wait was months for a Graphite Gray sedan, a then-popular color. The LX hatchback was the only 1984 version of the Accord to include dual side view mirrors.

The 1984 sedan was available in four exterior colors, Greek White and three metallic options: Columbus Gray, Regency Red (burgundy), and Stratos Blue (steel). The regular hatchback was available in Greek White, Dominican Red, and the metallic Stratos Blue. The '84 LX hatchback came in three metallic colors only: Graphite Gray, Regency Red, and Copper Brown. These models were on U.S. roads well past the turn of the century.

In 1985, the Special Edition returned as the SE-i, capitalizing on the final year of the second generation's production. A fuel-injected, 110 bhp (82 kW) non-CVCC ES3 engine was exclusive to this model. The moniker, SE-i, was adapted from the SE trim, but included the "-i" to signify the higher trim level's fuel-injected engine. This 12-valve, 1,829 cc (1.829 L; 111.6 cu in) engine was the first non-CVCC engine used in an Accord, and was the same basic engine design used by Honda until 1989. Like the previous SE trim in 1983, the SE-i featured novio-leather seating, power moonroof, bronze tinted glass, a premium sound system with cassette, and 13" alloy wheels.

Available options differed from market to market. The 1.8 liter engine, updated four-speed automatic transmission, and 'EX' trim level options were first made available in New Zealand during the 1984 refresh, alongside the 1.6 liter 'LX' model.

Japan generally received more options earlier than the rest of the world. In 1981, the Accord offered an adjustable ride height air suspension in the Japanese market. From 1983 in Japan and 1984 in Europe, the second generation Accord was available with anti-lock brakes (called A.L.B) as an option. This braking system was the first time that an Accord used four wheel disc brakes. Fuel injection became available in 1984 in Japan market with the earlier introduction of the ES3 engine in the SE-i, taking a year to arrive in North American and European markets. Others with less stringent emissions laws continued using carburetors throughout second generation production.

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