It could so easily have backfired, sending us on a 90-mile, sometimes challenging route which would show up any flaw in a car. Instead, it showed just what the all-new seventh generation Honda Accord can do.

The route from Wicklow town, took in Gorey, Bunclody, Aughrim, Rathdrum and Roundwood village right in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. A chance for us to sample all sorts of roads.

The car we drove was the 2.0-litre Executive which had automatic transmission. That certainly came into its own when we diverted up some hilly routes to test the manual sequential shift which allows engine braking and therefore better control on steep twisty roads. It’s an option I would wholeheartedly recommend.

While the 155 bhp 2-litre engine will suit almost everyone’s daily needs, those who prefer a more sporty journey will opt for the more powerful 190 bhp 6-speed 2.4-litre model. This new Accord is a lot of car, and it is clear why they avoided including a 1.8-litre option.

On the road, the suspension showed itself to be well able to deal with rough roads, and without any sound and fury while doing so. The steering - hydraulic in this version - was totally accurate and gave a good feel of being in total control.

This flagship Accord’s introduction signals a move from mass market to the top end of the D segment, the ‘quality sport’ area, not the level where fleet buyers and rental operators are important. Key competitors now include the Audi A4, Alfa 156, Volvo S60 and the Lexus IS200.

There’s a definite look of the BMW about the new Accord. The importers admit that the styling of the new car is ‘quite Germanic’, which would reinforce the effort by Honda to move the car’s positioning upwards. The indicator repeaters on the door mirrors also emulate BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The new car is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model. The large grille has a big unmistakable H logo in the centre, and a new lights design clearly shows a higher-level image than in the old car.

Inside, it comes with bigger and better seats than before. The Optitron-type illumination of the instrument display lights up when the door is opened, and proves to be exceptionally bright, with large clear white numbers.

The sheer luxury of the interior is pretty impressive, with warm honey-colour leather, black quality plastic, and lots of wood trim in the version which we drove. Lesser-spec versions have a metallised finish where the wood is in the Executive range.

Customers can chose from six options in the new car - the 2.0-litre SE (here in April), SR, Sport (also due in April), and Executive; or 2.4-litre S and Executive models.

Standard equipment on the basic entry level 2.0-litre version includes six air bags, dual zone climate control, and an in-dash CD with six speakers. Move up to the 2.0-litre SR - expected to be the main volume seller in the range - and add on 15-inch alloys and an electric sunroof.

The 2.0-litre Sport version (no sunroof) features a mesh front grille, hydraulic power steering, cruise control, red dashboard illumination and 16 inch alloys.

Add rain sensor wipers, ultrasonic alarm, front fogs, electric front seat adjustment, ultrasonic alarm, eight speakers and leather seats for the 2.0-litre Executive.

The 2.4-litre Type S comes with 16 inch alloys, vehicle stability assist (VSA), twin chrome exhausts, and 6-speed manual transmission. In addition to the 2.0-litre Executive, the 2.4 Executive has 16 inch alloys, twin chrome exhausts, and vehicle stability assist (VSA).

It all makes for a comprehensive and competitive range.

"The package is attractive enough for customers driving 1.8s to move up to this new car," Frank Kennedy of Universal Honda Limited suggested, and while he expects to lose a few 1.8-litre customers he anticipates moving 450 units in total this year and possibly 600 in a full year.

Some 50 of the Accord Tourer wagon (due in July/August 2003) is included in this year’s total. He said that the price of the basic entry SE model represents less than a 10% upshift in price over the previous model.

However, he added that it is difficult to forecast sales of the more powerful 2.4-litre in a segment dominated by the Toyota Camry. Kennedy expects 25 - 30% of new Accord sales to be for the automatic version which only costs ¤1,500 more than the manual.

Honda are aiming for a 4-star front impact rating and a 3-star pedestrian impact rating in the Euro NCAP tests. "Honda say that it is extremely hard to achieve a 5-star rating in impact if you want a 3-star rating for pedestrians," Frank Kennedy concluded.