How will the new Accord drive?

RUSSELLS POINT, Ohio (WDTN) - If the trip down the street is as smooth as the trip down the assembly line, then you'll have nothing to complain about.

"We want to get it to market as soon as possible," says Honda's Anna Engine Plant Manager John Spoltman.

Honda's new Accord isn't due out until next month but already the work on what's going underneath the hood has started in the Miami Valley.

"We feel this is our comeback," Spoltman says. "A lot of people are questioning Honda out in the market."

What's powering that comeback is the new Earth Dreams Technology being used for the engines produced at the Anna Plant and the Transmissions being made in Russells Point.

2 NEWS is told Earth Dreams is designed to improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent, so if you're buying 20 gallons of gas a week, this will save you two.

"We've really balanced that fuel efficiency and maintained that sporty feeling customers like in Hondas," says Denis Kovacs, the Accord Engine New Model Leader.

But those at Honda say what you won't feel are the car's shifts. That's because Earth Dreams includes what's called a Continuously Variable Transmission

It's meant to make for a smoother trip.

"You won't have shifting from one gear to the next gear," says Michael Fagan with Honda Transmission Manufacturing.

Those at Honda are hoping the Accord makes for an easy drive because a lot is riding on it.

"We've put a lot of time money and effort into what we consider to be the benchmark sedan," Fagan says.