HONDA'S features and design criteria for its all-new Accord saloon should firmly position it as a leading contender in the quality sports saloon market.

Two lively DOHC i-VTEC engines and a tauter, more finely tuned chassis are designed to increase driving pleasure.

As we are used to with Honda, and as amply demonstrated in the cars built at the company's South Marston plant, quality of product is the over-riding factor.

This, along with a roomier cabin, increased levels of safety, greater refinement and high fuel efficiency, augers well for the new Accord, particularly in the all-important fleet market, where Civics and Accords have always done so well.

In an acknowledgement of Europe's dominance in the sports sedan market, the new Accord's driving credentials have been developed extensively within Europe to create a package capable of competing in the international arena.

Emphasising the new Accord's technological sophistication and performance, power is provided by two all-aluminium DOHC i-VTEC engines of 2.0 and 2.4 litre capacity matched to new five- and six-speed manual transmissions respectively or a five-speed automatic with Sequential Shift.

Particular attention has been directed at the driving environment and full adjustment of the highly supportive seats, a steering column adjustable for reach and rake, plus striking 'black face' instrumentation with back-lit dials.

Built in Japan, the Accord saloon offered on sale in Europe will be similar to that on sale in Japan.

Available at launch as a saloon only, the simplified line-up makes its public debut at the Paris Salon later this month, with sales commencing in early 2003.

It will then be joined by an estate model and, later in the year, the range becomes the first to be offered with Honda's in-house developed diesel engine.