Honda will be making its first bid for a share of the growing diesel market in January with common rail diesel versions of the Civic. The Civic 1.7 CTDi will make its first appearance at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, and Honda is promising class-leading refinement and emissions below the lowest threshold for company car tax.

Honda claims the three-door version's fuel consumption on the combined cycle will be 57.7mpg. Power output is 98bhp at 4,400rpm, while maximum torque of 162lb-ft comes in at 1,800rpm.

Honda's new small car, the Jazz, will be making its first European appearance at Frankfurt, and will be competing with the new Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and Citroen C3 for the limelight, while the HR-V sport utility vehicle, revised for the 2002 model year, will also be on the stand. (September 4, 2001)