HONDA is hoping to attract a new breed of customer to its acclaimed new Accord with the addition of its first in-house diesel unit. The signs are that it's been worth the wait.
In Tourer form the efficient Accord succeeds in looking a classier and curvier estate than many on the road. But the lack of a convincing diesel made it impossible to compete head-on with the likes of Audi's A4 TDI and the BMW 320d.
The new arrival, once you can look beyond the welter of initials, proves a very credible attraction for the business customer.
The promise is one of combining high torque and low fuel consumption with low emissions and class-leading driving comfort. And first impressions are very, very impressive.
The challenge was to take on the engines offered by Honda's rivals head on - no mean feat when you consider the excellence of units like the VW Group's tried and tested turbodiesels.
Yet the Tourer now boasts a power plant generating great torque at low revs, returning a combined fuel consumpton of 48.7mpg while maintaining impressive mid-range pick-up.
With its huge luggage area and ample cabin space, the Tourer already has an appeal as a long-legged cruiser for high-mileage customers, and this turbocharged common rail unit doesn't let the estate down.
Those looking for low-stress ways of getting from A to B will appreciate the way the responsive engine complements the car's excellent handling characteristics without undermining the peace and quiet of the cabin interior.
Around town, the revs tick over in a reassuringly laid-back way, and the engine doesn't get much more agitated when you put the foot down on the motorway, either.
Any additional noise is well insulated from the driver and the standard spec runs to such luxuries as leather seats, rain sensitive wipers, a DVD satellite navigation system and dual-zone climate control, so there's no skimping on the quality of life.
Estates don't get much more practical than the Tourer, with the rear seats flipping flat to extend the flat load floor. The tailgate is a touch heavy for easy opening, but there's always the option of a powered version.
It's taken Honda a fair time to respond to the steady growth of diesel sales in recent years, but the Japanese manufacturer is choosing a good time to jump on the common-rail bandwagon, with diesel-engined cars frequently outselling their petrol counterparts in the Accord sector.
The trend shows no sign of slowing down, which means Honda's contender is better late than never - especially if it turns out to be the class-leader the company is hoping for.
Since its launch last year, the Tourer has won friends quickly and given some of the prestige marques a run for their money.
The timely launch of an impressive diesel should help consolidate fleet sales and give the German prestige brands a few sleepless nights.
Long applauded for its reliability record, Honda has been steadily moving the brand in an upward direction, enhancing the spec while keeping the price sufficiently competitive to undermine rivals with long lists of expensive add-ons.
It's a formula that's winning friends fast, giving the Accord a fighting chance of muscling its way into company car parks around the country by this time next year.
FAST FACTS
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2i-CTDi Executive
Price: £21,213
Mechanical: 138bhp, 2,204cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 123mph
0-62mph: 10.1 secs
Combined mpg: 48.7
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 153g/km
BiK rating: 16%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust