SINCE those days of the late 19th century when the likes of Herbert Akroyd Stuart and Rudolf Diesel laid down the principles of the diesel engine, the oil-burning power source has steadily evolved to eventually make an indelible mark in the motoring world.
In fact, the past decade or so has seen such acceleration among the engine-makers of the world that today's diesel engines bear little or no resemblance to what has gone before. The performance and refinement of most oil burners is now up there with their petrol stablemates.
The proof of this particular pudding is in digesting the fact fact that in 1982, around 14,500 diesel-powered cars were registered in the UK, a figure which, last year, had shot up to nearer the 700,000 mark.
This, coupled with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) forecast that oil-burning registrations for this year are likely to represent around 30 per cent of the new car market total has, no doubt, prompted the biggest enginemaker on the planet to finally arrive at the diesel party.
Surprisingly, Honda has never manufactured an entirely in-house diesel engine to power its own passenger cars, that is, until the arrival in February of the Accord 2.2-litre iCDTi.
While there is still a touch of that familiar diesel sound on start-up of the Accord, you do move off to the accompaniment of barely a whisper from an aluminium-cased engine that is the virtual epitome of refinement, and much, much more.
For, while the sotto voce environment, thanks to some clever sound-proofing, makes for a peaceful cabin, this second generation common-rail diesel provides much more than simply refined progress - this turbo diesel pot provides 138bhp at 4000rpm and is hugely torquey with 251lb ft kicking in as low down as 2000rpm.
Mated with a smooth-shifting, specially designed five-speed manual gearbox and fully automatic self-adjusting clutch pedal, the set-up delivers the 0-62mph dash in 9.4 seconds en route to a maximum speed, where legally allowable of 130mph.
In addition, while there is the promise of 50+mpg over a combined driving route, the Accord's 2.2-litre iCDTi CO2 rating is also wallet-friendly to company car drivers. It complies with the latest Euro 4 emission standards and, with CO2 emissions of 142g/km it attracts only a 15 per cent Benefit in Kind levy, the lowest in its class.
The latest generation Accord, in Saloon and Tourer forms, swept into the UK marketplace during last year, with two-litre and 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engine options, and the addition of diesel power has boosted Honda's long-term aim to head up-market in the D segment, to take on the likes of BMW, Saab, Jaguar and Audi.
This diesel version has inherited the front and rear suspension revisions of the new generation Accord which, complemented by a bodyshell with higher levels of dynamic stiffness than its predecessors, provides a highly agreeable handling performance.
While the interior styling is perhaps not as exciting on the eye as some of its contemporaries, the Accord is generously kitted out and the iCDTi Executive test car included electric windows all round, powered sunroof and door mirrors, dual zone climate control and cruise control.
In addition, leather upholstery with heated front seats, eight-way electric adjust for the driver's seat, rain sensing wipers and headlamp washers - invaluable at this time of year - also complement the impressive list of standard fittings.
Driver and passenger safety, too, has also been well addressed with twin, side and curtain airbags on board while ABS braking with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), plus Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) are also on hand to assist the unwise and the unwary.
Overall, the new generation Honda Accord is a comfortable, roomy and refined family car and the diesel engine, which will also appear in the Accord Tourer at a showroom near you later this month, further strengthens the range of the Swindon-based carmaker's wares in the medium car sector.
FAST FACTS
Honda Accord 2.2 iCDTi Executive
Price: £20,000.
Mechanical: 138bhp, 2,204cc common-rail turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max Speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 9.4 secs
Combined mpg: 52.3
Insurance Group: 12
CO2 emissions: 143g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Waranty: 3yrs/90,000; 3yrs paint; 6yrs antirust