IT MIGHT have been the best-selling car in the world at one time but in recent years, the Honda Accord has been struggling - especially in Singapore - to keep up with the competition. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, it had been the class leader in its segment here until the Nissan Cefiro and Toyota Camry started showing it a clean set of heels.

Size and fashion-conscious Singaporeans never took to the 'do nothing wrong but nothing fantastic either' Accord - it just became too understated and bland. Hopefully, that will change after the 2008 model was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor show last week.

Sold as the upmarket Honda Inspire in Japan, the new Accord is significantly bigger and more luxurious than the outgoing model. More importantly, it is much bigger than the Toyota Camry and Nissan Cefiro - its two biggest competitors. With a whopping 2,800mm wheelbase - 60mm longer than its predecessor and 25mm longer than the Camry - the Accord boasts even more interior room than Honda's flagship Legend sedan.

To be assembled in Thailand, the Honda Accord will be offered with three engine options. Two four-cylinder engines - a 156 hp two-litre and a 180 hp 2.4-litre - will be joined by a 3.5-litre V6 with 280 hp. All three iVTEC powerplants will be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, and the 2.4 and 3.5-litre models will feature steering wheel paddle shift controls.

Styling-wise, the new Accord breaks no new ground and that could again be its Achilles heel. But authorised Honda distributor Kah Motor believes customers in this segment will be more impressed by its new-found cabin space and luxury. In fact, it is targeting average monthly sales of 200 units when the Accord is unveiled locally early next month - more than four times what the old model used to do.

At Honda's Tochigi test facility in Japan last week, there was an opportunity to briefly put the new and visibly larger Accord through its paces. The cabin is hushed and insulation levels have apparently been greatly improved. Even at 140 kmh around the high-speed oval, there is little wind noise and the car remains rock stable. It is difficult to judge the new Accord's suspension on the artificially smooth surface of the test track. But what is certain is that its new Variable Gear Ratio steering is accurate and there is little high-speed float.

The 2.4-litre engine can do with more verve but is reasonably hushed, while the 3.5-litre unit makes all the right noises when still cruising with nary a squeak. Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), together with Active Noise Control (ANC), must surely help in this case.

The VCM system operates the 3.5-litre engine in full six-cylinder mode for power, and four- and three-cylinder modes for efficiency. Meanwhile, ANC uses the 270-watt stereo system to help cancel out engine noise, thus ensuring a whisper quiet cabin.

Whether or not the new Accord can regain its place at the sharp point of the pack depends on the public's acceptance of its still unexciting styling. But if space equals sales, then the Accord looks like a potential winner.

Honda Accord 3.5 V6

Engine: 3,498cc six-cylinder
Gearbox: 5-speed automatic transmission
Max power: 280 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Max torque: 360 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
0-100 kmh: 8.6 secs
Top speed: 240 kmh
Distributor: Kah Motor, tel 6841-3333