Honda Accord SE and Sport GT

On sale September 2007

I went to a colleague’s retirement party last night. I don’t think he’ll be ‘retiring gracefully’. He announced that he had fulfilled a lifelong ambition and bought himself a sports car. As a company car driver he said he has always had to compromise and choose a car with low CO2 emissions, low list price and low fuel consumption. Whereas what he has always wanted was a sporty exterior and interior look and a performance to match.

With the launch of the new Honda Accord Sport GT in September there really is no need to compromise. Aimed specifically at the company car driver, the white hot GT delivers performance car styling and high grade equipment with sharp nimble handling.

Fleet sales of the Accord are already up by 68 percent and Honda wants to continue the momentum. So to attract new buyers, the company is introducing two new versions on 1st September. The Sport GT and a new entry level diesel – the Accord SE. This version offers a high spec but at an extremely competitive price of £18,600 otr, with low running costs. 16” alloys, stability assist, six speed gearbox and Bluetooth Hands free telephone are all fitted as standard. Not only that, but with the cleaner, low consumption 2.2 litre diesel engine on board and the low list price, benefit in kind is reduced – meaning lower costs for company car users.

The current Accord, in its various forms, is the most popular mid sized family saloon car on the planet. It is stylish and good looking and spacious inside.

The interior has very interesting lines and shapes and attractive coloured trims including a carbon-effect inlay fitted within the dashboard and centre console and red illuminated dials. Most of the components are made from recycled plastics and the fascia is one hundred percent recyclable.

The new Sport GT saloon priced from £20,767 otr, features as standard, dark chrome door handles and front grille, 17-inch alloy wheels in Dark Graphite finish, a Premium White Pearl paint option – exclusive to this model, sports suspension, rear boot spoiler, smoked headlights, and foglights, , voice-activated Satellite Navigation system, premium audio system that includes a 6CD changer, cruise control and Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone.

Both models are powered by the very torquey 2.2 litre diesel engine which will reach 62mph in 9.3 seconds and says Honda goes on to a top speed of 132mph. It will achieve a fantastic combined 51.4mpg and CO2 emissions are 145g/km.

The Accord is a great car to drive with precise steering and with a good turning circle for easy manoeuvring. One of the things I didn’t like is the very jittery ride on country lanes. Once on the motorway though the ride is very smooth.

Honda says it has launched both models in response to customer demand. So whether you want an entry level car with high specification or at the other end of the scale, a sporty looking performance car which was voted Executive Green Car of the Year in the Environmental Transport Association awards in 2006, then the Accord will have a version to suit.

By Sue Cooke