Honda has added a Sport derivative and new engines for the Type V models in its Accord range as part of a mid-term facelift.

Stephen Hollings, Honda UK's head of marketing, said the Accord had been “tweaked, freshened and improved rather than given a radical overhaul”. A new model is a few years away.

The 1.8i VTEC Sport in both 4dr and 5dr is new to the line-up. At £15,495, it is the same price as the 2.0i SE.

The Type V – also available as 4dr and 5dr – features a new 2.3-litre engine that has CO2 emissions and fuel economy similar to a 2-litre engine.

Mr Hollings expects the new engine to take sales away from rival six cylinder engines because of its better CO2 emissions and lower tax penalties.

The Type V sells at £19,495 for the manual and £20,495 auto. Five door versions of the Accord range cost £150 more than 4dr models.

The UK is now Honda's fourth largest market worldwide, with sales last year of 68,736.

“This is the most important year in our history,” said Mr Hollings.

The mini-MPV Stream “which tackles Vauxhall Zafira head on” will arrive in June, followed by the Civic 3dr and Type R in late summer. The all-new CR-V, which will be built at Swindon and exported to the US, will be unveiled at the Tokyo motor show in the autumn and a Logo replacement will arrive in February.