Honda UK has secured a fleet deal on the strength of its new 1.6-litre diesel engine with 18 cars ordered for Essex-based design and publicity agency The Co’dair Group.

Dealers have been waiting for the new engine to allow them to compete in the market against other smaller capacity diesel engines from mainstream rivals.

The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine is the first to be launched in Europe under Honda’s flagship Earth Dreams Technology environmental programme.

Maximum power output is 118bhp at 4,000rpm and maximum torque is 300Nm at 2,000rpm. CO2emissions are 94g/km and the manufacturer quoted fuel economy of 78.5mpg.