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Jon Hardcastle October 26, 2007 10:52 PM

Why are you so impressed with this cars fuel economy?

This is the smallest and therefore one of BMW's lightest cars, with a fairly large and powerfull diesel engine that would not have to work too hard in hauling the cars weight around.

My previous Accord iCDTi regularily returned over 47 mpg in mixed driving conditions, and on a run would see over 55 mpg. All this on a less powerfull engine than the BMW and a larger and heavier body to lug about.

Rory Lumsdon October 29, 2007 8:09 AM

I'm impressed because of the nature of the power delivery, and the power, too.

The BMW produces 201bhp next to the Honda's 138bhp, 295lb ft compared to 251lb ft and 138g/km next to the Accord's 143g/km.

It's also a smaller engine, at 1995cc next to the Honda's 2204cc.

And as the Accord in SE Exec trim weighs in at 1523kg, and the 123d as tested (M Sport) at 1495kg, it's a marginal weight difference (28kg).

If your Accord was the Sport GT, of course, then it would have been lighter, at 1398kg. Despite this, the Accord Sport GT is 2.3sec slower to reach 62mph.

That's not to say that the Honda i-CTDi isn't an impressive engine, but when running both an Accord i-CTDi and then a Civic i-CTDi, we never managed to get close to the official combined economy claim (which, incidentally, is 52.3mpg, next to BMW's claimed 54.3mpg).

Matt Rigby October 31, 2007 3:07 PM

Just wait until Honda brings over the 180bhp i-DTEC diesel with next year's new Accord… (still love that 123d's motor, though)

ferraris November 7, 2007 2:42 PM

So when can we expect to see a review of this car?

Simon

ben_folliard November 10, 2007 12:51 PM

Nice armchair comments above, I have a 123d 3rd and I have to say its a great drivers car. My last car was a Subaru wrx ppp and the 123d is almost as much fun. It is very similar to the larger petrol engine BMWs to drive but you don't need to fill up so often. the way forward especialy with fuel prices on the rise again!