By Chad Simon
 The ’13 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe were made available to SEMA-member manufacturers last week at American Honda headquarters in Torrance, California. |
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 Gavin Horlick of Voxx Products (right) says that Measuring Sessions refresh his enthusiasm for the industry by allowing him the chance to get back to the basics of the aftermarket community. "After inspecting the cars, SEMA members lingered and reconnected with industry friends, which provided valuable personal integration not often facilitated by modern online social platforms," he said. |
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 Sportier and slightly more upscale than its predecessor, the ’13 Civic EX Sedan lends itself to accessorization. |
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 Several wheel and tire manufacturers showed up to measure the all-new Acura ILX 2.4L. |
Twenty-four manufacturers turned up to measure the completely redesigned ’13 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe, Civic EX Sedan and all-new Acura ILX 2.4L during last week's SEMA Measuring Session at American Honda's headquarters in Torrance, California. With four different models available, manufacturers were eager to obtain the specs needed to prepare parts for a vehicle that is projected to be accessory-friendly.
SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an integration platform for different sectors of the aftermarket community. Members acquaint themselves with new vehicles before their release or immediately following their debut. Participants can question manufacturer representatives and offer their feedback regarding the new vehicles.
SEMA acquires first-production or pre-production test vehicles for the sessions, allowing wheel companies, performance groups and cosmetic restyling businesses to shorten the lead-time for new products. SEMA often gathers two or more vehicles for each session, increasing the value of each event. In this case, four Honda and Acura models were made available for specialty-parts manufacturers.
The Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe are all-new for 2013. The exterior length and wheelbase are slightly more compact; however, the inside is more spacious than the previous generation, with increased rear legroom and trunk volume. Fuel efficiency is also improved, with EPA-estimated highway ratings of 36 mpg for the four-cylinder model and 34 mpg for the V6. New technology includes Honda’s Earth Dreams, which is designed to further enhance fuel economy. The Sedan is available in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and new Touring trim levels, while the two-door Coupe comes in LX-S, EX, EX-L and EX-L V6 trim levels.
Standard features include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink with audio streaming, USB/iPod integration, a rearview camera and an audio/information screen, dual-zone climate control, Pandora Internet radio integration, an SMS text messaging function and an Eco Assist driving system. Two Earth Dreams powertrains are currently available: an all-new 2.4L four-cylinder with direct injection, and a 3.5L V-6. In early 2013, the Accord lineup will add a new Earth Dreams 2.0-liter four-cylinder/two-motor plug-in hybrid system in the Accord PHEV Sedan.
The ’13 Civic EX Sedan is sportier and looks slightly more upscale with a sculpted front end and new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent. It’s powered by a 140hp, 1.8L four-cylinder engine that is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating is 39 mpg. The Civic Sedan features 16-in. alloy wheels and a 105.1-in. wheelbase. Technology features include XM Satellite Radio, Pandora Internet radio, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a rearview camera with guidelines and an SMS text messaging function.
The all-new ’13 Acura ILX 2.4L entry-level luxury sedan is designed with the youth market in mind. It is powered by a four-cylinder engine with 201hp mated to a six-speed manual transmission. EPA-estimated city ratings are 22 mpg and 31 mpg on the highway. Technology features include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, Pandora Internet radio, a rearview camera and an SMS text messaging function. The ILX is equipped with 17-in. aluminum wheels and a 105.1-in. wheelbase.
“Honda owners virtually created the import tuner movement in the late ’80s
and early ’90s, and vehicle personalization continues to be a big part of
the Honda scene,” said Honda’s Chris Martin. “With an all-new Accord, a significantly updated Civic and the brand-new Acura ILX each winning new customers every day, we know that many of those buyers will look for opportunities to accessorize their
vehicles. As a SEMA-member organization, we're glad to be able to offer
vehicle Measuring Sessions to help the development of more quality
personalization options for our customers.”
“I find Measuring Sessions to refresh my enthusiasm for the industry by allowing me the chance to get back to the basics of the aftermarket community,” said Gavin Horlick, vice president of Voxx Products. “Instead of sitting behind a desk selling product, answering questions or reviewing data reports, I can interact with the latest vehicles, which allow me to stay informed of advances in the OEM industry and think of ways to improve or expand my product offerings. The Measuring Sessions add value to my SEMA membership. Come and see for yourself what the Measuring Sessions can offer.”
Measuring Sessions have also been a valuable part of SEMA’s Tech Transfer program, which grants SEMA manufacturing members access to vehicle CAD files provided directly from participating OEMs. The intent of the program is to help streamline production by minimizing or completely eliminating the necessity for reverse engineering. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Scion are currently participating in the program. SEMA Measuring Sessions and Tech Transfer Program are functions of SEMA's OEM department.
In addition to access to upcoming vehicles, SEMA Measuring Session participants can also ask questions of the participating OEM staff to learn more about the vehicles, the automaker's marketing plans, the intended audience and more.
The next SEMA Measuring Session features the ’14 Mazda6 and will be held January 30, at Mazda North American Operations Western Region Training Center in Irvine, California.
For additional information on Measuring Sessions, Tech Transfer and additional programs available through SEMA's OEM Relations department, visit www.sema.org/oem.
The ’13 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe, Civic EX Sedan and Acura ILX 2.4L Measuring Session participants included: