Honda Ascot CE, 2 generation 10.1993 - 05.1995

The first-generation Ascot could rightfully be called the brother of Honda Accord. But in 1993 the second generation Accord was released, which already had a body of the third size group, which betrayed its desire to become a real prestige car - orientation to the North American market largely affected. Ascot in the second generation received its own platform (an upgraded base of its predecessor) with a factory index of CE 4/5. The mechanical part was mainly of a character borrowed from the Accord machine, but the body was not the 3rd but the 5th size, the layout was high, the wheelbase was increased (up to 2770 mm). The model was equipped with a 5-cylinder engine with a longitudinal arrangement. A characteristic feature of the second-generation Honda Ascot is the relatively long front, while the front wheels are moved closer to the cab (“long nose short deck” style). I must say that over the next 10 years, a similar concept of a car class "sedan" became widespread. Therefore, we can confidently say that Honda was in the top ten, as they say. However, the longitudinal arrangement of the engine under the hood and the shorter body actually nullified the advantage of a longer wheelbase - the length of the car’s interior was even shorter than that of a previous generation car (1895 mm versus 1930 mm). However, the new Ascot (CE) had all the makings of a normal middle-class family car. The basic package included: full power accessories, climate control, additionally - fog lights, alloy wheels, rear spoiler. In the top-end Ascot 2.5S, foglights and a rear wiper, cassette player, leather steering wheel, 15-inch molding were installed regularly, and for a surcharge, a rear spoiler, sunroof, leather interior and navigation were offered.

 In the second generation, the Honda Ascot model was equipped with a 2 or 2.5 liter engine, while the engine was located along the body in the front middle part. Both units have a 20-valve 5 SOHC design - these are the G20A (2.0 L, 160 HP) or G25A (2.5 L, 180 HP) engines. The weight distribution of the Ascot CE between the front and rear axles is 60:40. Motor 2. 0 could work both with “mechanics” and with an automatic, and a 2.5-liter unit only with automatic transmission. Fuel consumption in the 10/15 mode was 8.8-9.1 l / 100 km for the base models and 9.8 l / 100 km with a more voluminous and powerful engine.

 The chassis of the Honda Ascot (CE) actually retains its previous design: a double independent linkage suspension allows you to call this car a family sedan with Honda driving characteristics. The sedan has front ventilated disc brakes, rear drum or disc brakes. The sedan body length is 4555 mm (115 mm shorter than its predecessor), width and height are 1695 and 1425 (+ 45 mm). Wheelbase 2770 mm (+ 50 mm). The rather compact sedan body, the special suspension setup and the shape of the bumpers (slightly narrowed in all four corners) provided a small minimum turning radius of 5.5 m, the actual minimum radius (to the curb) reaches 5.79 m. Interior dimensions: 1895 x 1385 x 1155 mm (L x W x H). For comparison, the previous Ascot interior dimensions were 1895 x 1385 x 1155 mm. The luggage compartment is quite roomy, as befits a family sedan - its volume is 420 liters, the lid opens a wide opening with a small loading height.

 Speaking about car safety, it is possible to note the presence of driver and passenger airbags, stiffeners in the doors, three-point belts (front with height adjustment), the anti-lock braking system was also present in the list of options (options for 2. 0T, 2.0S, 2.5S) and traction control (option for 2.5S). On the 2.5S model, a rear wiper was installed as standard, cleaning the glass at the location of the additional brake light.

 The second generation Honda Ascot (CE) was less successful than the previous one. A slight reduction in the amount of space for the rear seats partly served to reduce the popularity of the car. In addition, the car was developed after the collapse of the Japanese financial “soap bubble”, so equipping it was a bit compromise - for example, there were no models with the 4WS system that Ascot offered in the first generation, and versions of the sports type “CS” appeared only after restyling. However, the car was comfortable, quite powerful and frisky to accelerate, perfectly manageable. Considerable expensive parts (body parts, suspension), low ground clearance, owners of the “diseases” note the current distributor and power steering, rotting rear arches.