For the 2013 debut of its 9th generation, the Honda Accord Coupe takes a much bigger risk on style than the sedan, but it doesn't get the hybrid option. Of course that's no big matter, since both all-new engines are revised for best-in-class fuel economy, according to Honda, and with the option of a 6-speed manual for either one, an engaging ride is almost guaranteed. However, looks and performance are just the tip of the iceberg for this highly promising redux of an American staple.

While the sedan only hints at its growing muscle with a few streaming lines and well-placed swoops, the coupe takes its 9th-generation style to the nines with rally-inspired skirts, chrome-accented vents and a gracefully toned look you were more likely to see in a dancer's legs than a car—until now. Head- and taillights are thinned and elongated, adding to the aggressive first impression and reminiscence of top-shelf sports cars, and a dainty tailfin tops it off without getting in the rear-view.

No word on what we might find on the inside except for a few new gadgets. Newly standard features across the board include Bluetooth, text-to-voice, LCD display and streaming connectivity with Pandora and Apple's iPhone. As for safety, there's no sure word whether the new forward-crash and lane-departure warning systems will be included in every Accord coupe, but the new blind-spot monitoring systems and multi-angle rear-view camera are definitely just options.

Although performance will remain relatively unchanged—gaining just 5 or 10 points on horsepower and torque—the new engines are supposed to top the fuel-efficiency charts when coupled with the continuously variable transmission for the smaller 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, or the 6-speed automatic for the bigger 3.5-liter V6. Supposedly both get the option of a 6-speed manual in the Accord Coupe, but not the sedan, while a new Eco driving mode enters every Accord for 2013.

Honda also hinted at some improvements to driving dynamics, but didn't single out the Coupe or provide any specifics. The sedan is smaller and lighter than previous years, so Honda may have been speaking only of the sedan's expected performance improvements from its smaller size, and without any deeper detail from the maker it's tough to guess whether these improvements carry over to the Coupe.

Honda likewise neglects to mention what will change about the interior materials, and given the recent step back in the Civic, the omission leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Drivers of the previous generation have a lot of unanswered questions, too, like what's up with all these silly issues after 5,000 miles? Hopefully Honda has fixed the trunk seal and tire shimmy with this latest iteration, but as always, the proof is in the pudding.