The VRT registration changes have been welcome news for Honda in the Irish market. Civic IMA Hybrid, Accord and CR-V diesel options, Jazz and the fuel-efficient Civic petrol options all deliver significant customer benefits both in terms of reduced vehicle registration and road tax costs.

Honda is now offering the Civic model with a 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine to deliver low CO2 emissions and impressive fuel economy figures.

In addition, the new VRT structure opens doors to introduce new products, which up to now could not be considered. And the first of these is the new Honda Civic 5 door option equipped with Honda's much acclaimed 2.2iCTDi whispering diesel engine.

The Civic diesel adds another environmentally friendly model to a range already recognised for its low emissions. With its 2.2-litre performance i-CTDI engine this new Civic has CO2 emissions of 135g/km in the category B tax band range and an attractive annual road tax tariff of €150. Fuel consumption figures in the combined cycle are an excellent 5.1 litres/100 km.

Frank Kennedy, Sales and Marketing Director of Universal Honda, commented: "The introduction of a Civic diesel is testament to Honda's global commitment to improving its average CO2 consumption... Considering that Honda only introduced a bespoke diesel programme in 2004 it is encouraging that this year alone the limited range of diesel options available to us accounts for 15 per cent of total sales. The diesel share will increase dramatically in the coming years as the new tax programme favours the low emission diesel options."

Supply this year will be restricted but advanced production is already secured to ensure that sales will commence in earnest for 2009. The target competitor vehicles for the new Civic Diesel option are BMW 1, Audi A3 and VW Golf. The price of this new economical Civic is high at €27,995 before delivery charges.

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