Just posted on autoblog a few minutes ago:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/30/autoblog-drives-the-2008-honda-accord-sedan-and-coupe/

Photo Gallery (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-honda-accord-launch/)

I'm not really digging the wheels on the sedan. But the coupe in red looks pretty hot!

Highlights:
According to the presentation, the Accord's most serious competitors
are the Toyota Camry and the Nissan Altima. The Altima is considered more
sporty, the Camry more luxurious, and the new Accord is meant to slot
comfortably, and perfectly, between the two.

Along with the can't-be-missed side cut line and lower door line, there
are quite a few instances of very subtly shaped bodywork: the merest hint of
lines around the lower front fog lights and on the rear bumpers. Even the side
mirror cover curves, seahorse-like, from a gently rounded top to the
sculptured flick of a tail near the bottom, then curves again around the lower
portion to the trim. In the flesh it's a good looking car, with silver and black
suiting it exceptionally well in our opinion. It will more than hold its own with
its competitors.

The coupe, however, is where the real action resides. The coupe isn't
the sedan's sibling; it's more like the third cousin by marriage twice removed.
The 6-speed manual mated to the 268 hp doesn't just transform the car, it
transmogrifies it.

That red coupe looked great. I was surprised that the reviewer had not been in an accord for decades.

the wheels actually look huge. First time i've seen a photo of the sedan's 17-inchers up close like that. I likey.

It's interesting that Autoblog gave the test drive job to someone who's never driven an Accord since 1989. Trying to get the most unbiased response, perhaps?

Well, it seems like the new Accord is a winner according to the critics, not that one would expect otherwise. Does anybody know if the coupe is getting a sportier suspension than the sedan? (and I'm not just referring to the 6MT V6 coupe, but all coupes)

"From the first stoplight I understood why the gents who had the car before me took so long to bring it back. I think every stoplight after that had me setting off the ESC, a little yellow triangle flashing furiously as the front wheels did their best not to come unstuck. It has so much jump, in fact, that you need to hold on to the steering wheel quite firmly in order not to let the car torque steer into a regrettable sidestep. "

That sounds like a very bad thing to me. Hooray for FWD and people paying for power w/o considering the fact that they are buying a fwd car w/ an open differential (as cool as that is...). Sure, it's fun for a couple of stoplights till you are actually just trying to get from point A to point B and don't want to have a kung fu death grip on the steering wheel at all times. Even when you are pushing it more frequently, constantly battling a steering wheel is plain annoying. Bottom line is that there's simply too much torque for FWD here as long as they lack an appropriate LSD. Though, most people who will buy the accord (MOST people, not all) probably won't have any idea what torque steer is or how to explain the tugging on the steering wheel they experience.

"From the first stoplight I understood why the gents who had the car before me took so long to bring it back. I think every stoplight after that had me setting off the ESC, a little yellow triangle flashing furiously as the front wheels did their best not to come unstuck. It has so much jump, in fact, that you need to hold on to the steering wheel quite firmly in order not to let the car torque steer into a regrettable sidestep. "

That sounds like a very bad thing to me. Hooray for FWD and people paying for power w/o considering the fact that they are buying a fwd car w/ an open differential (as cool as that is...). Sure, it's fun for a couple of stoplights till you are actually just trying to get from point A to point B and don't want to have a kung fu death grip on the steering wheel at all times. There's simply too much torque for FWD here.

You know, the TL-S with all its torque does have an issue with staying in a straight line at launch. However I've experienced no slip or wheel hop thanks to the stiffer suspension and better rubber. Its probably all the coupe needs to perform a little better.

And WTF???? Which is it, 268 or 273???? Its been speculated 268, C&D said 273, now these guys say 268....

You know, the TL-S with all its torque does have an issue with staying in a straight line at launch. However I've experienced no slip or wheel hop thanks to the stiffer suspension and better rubber. Its probably all the coupe needs to perform a little better.

It'll help, but even w/ the tires and suspension upgrades I don't see how it will help w/ acceleration on anything but a flat, even surface. As fun as little dips are under throttle in my 7th gen, after considering the fact that I am dealing with considerably less torque I am thankful.

I also have zero wheel hop...which is great. Just power to the wheels.

If I want AWD...I'd buy a MDX (I love the new design) or a truck....

The right combination for me is a used S2k and a truck...that would be sweet.

I also have zero wheel hop...which is great. Just power to the wheels.

If I want AWD...I'd buy a MDX (I love the new design) or a truck....

The right combination for me is a used S2k and a truck...that would be sweet.

How's your torque steer steve?

It really isn't very existent...but....you still know the power is through the front wheels. It is hard to explain...I've had much less powerful cars have much more torque steer.

It still will jerk the wheel sometimes...but to be honest...you just get used to it. I also hear the ASPEC suspension helps mitigate this problem. I haven't spent much wheel time behind a regular 6MT TL.

I think 300hp would be fine through the front wheels if done right. 10 years ago...if someone was told we'd put 270 through the front...they would have laughed....

The TL is a great car to drive.

I think we'll be seing sh-awd on the next gen TL...Buh bye FF...