CLEANER diesel engines are being introduced in Honda's Accord and estate models to make them more appealing to company car drivers.

Improvements to the 2.2-litre engine used in the Accord bring CO2 emissions on all models below the crucial 160g/km threshold which gives companies additional tax advantages.

The manual diesel saloon now has a CO2 rating of 138g/km while the automatic falls from 170 to 159. The estate is rated at 143g/km.

Tweaks have also been carried out on the two-litre petrol engine used in the Accord which sees its emissions drop to 159 from 168.

Fuel economy is up on all the models with the manual diesel saloon now averaging a claimed 53.3mpg.

The new Accord line up will make its first appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March with the cars due on sale in the UK in the summer.

As well the revised engines Honda has carried out some subtle style changes with new headlamp designs and a different looking grille.

There are also trim improvements inside while the new models can be fitted with ‘look round corner' headlamps and on cars fitted with ultra-bright xenon lamps an automatic main beam function which uses a camera to detect oncoming traffic at night.

Prices have still to be announced but the current range costs from £21,350.