THE all-new American-built Honda Accord Coupe goes on sale in Britain on August 1 with fleets having a choice of three models. The cars are powered by two new VTEC engines - a 2.0-litre 146PS four-cylinder unit and a 3.0-litre 200PS V6.

The 2.0i ES manual costs £20,795 on the road, the 2.0i ES automatic £21,795 and the 3.0i V6 automatic £23,895. The two-door coupe, which will compete directly with the all-new Ford Cougar and the Peugeot 406 coupe, is related to the new Accord saloon (which goes on sale in Britain on October 1) by a common platform, but has its own engine, specification and model line-up.

Honda says the new car will be positioned as a refined, affordable, long-distance touring coupe which will be sold alongside the more overtly sporty Prelude. Larger than its predecessor with five-seat capability, standard equipment includes power windows, power and heated door mirrors, ABS, alloy wheels, cruise control, air conditioning, twin airbags and heated leather seats. The range-topper gains twin exhaust tailpipes, gas-filled bonnet support strut and larger alloy wheels.