##hondacc.jpg --Right##HONDA'S divorce from Rover seems to have done the Japanese manufacturer no harm whatsoever. A cynic could even argue that Honda's three-year, 90,000-mile warranty will last longer than Rover itself. While Honda's Swindon plant has recently celebrated the production of its 500,000th car, question marks hang over the future of Rover's factories.

The separation of the two manufacturers has certainly had no adverse impact on the new Accord, which is gliding effortlessly along British roads while the Rover 75 is delayed in the factory with production hick-ups. These were erstwhile sister cars in the guise of the old Accord and Rover 600, but the new Accord is a Honda through and through.

Fake wood is used sparingly in its slush moulded dashboard, and a quality feel pervades throughout. This is reinforced by a generous specification package which represents good value in anyone's book. Even in LS trim the Accord is well specified, featuring as standard an electric sun roof and air conditioning, twin front and side airbags, ABS, electric windows front and rear, electric heated door mirrors, and a height and lumbar adjustable seat.

The only flaw is the Accord's terribly fiddly radio controls, and the only real omission a compact disc player. This is disappointing because a high quality hi-fi would be a good investment in the whisper-quiet Accord. Its 1.8 litre engine is astonishingly refined, and the sound deadening smothers all but the most energetic races through the rev range.

The 135bhp VTEC engine is more than happy to push on to the red line, but delivers maximum torque of 175Nm at just 4,500 rpm. On the road this translates to rapid progress when required, or peaceful driving if conditions dictate a more leisurely approach. This is nothing new from Honda, which has long given its cars a wolf in sheep's clothing appeal, hiding top-of-the-class performance in cars of uninspiring design.

The new Accord, however, has sharper lines and a more sporty profile, which are matched by a fine ride and excellent handling. And the best news is that the new model is cheaper than its predecessor. List price is likely to become an even more important element of company car tax in the new regime which debuts in April 2002, and fleet drivers with one eye on their tax bill and the other on a new company car should beware that a car delivered on April 7 will finish a typical three-year fleet life under a new benefit-in-kind tax. On these grounds the Accord seems a reasonable proposition for the long term, and a good short term bet.

Jonathan Manning