the width which allowed them to remain in the favorable tax class, the 2.3-litre Innovas were wide, as the engine displacement didn't allow them to remain in the lower tax band, and buyers in Japan were also liable for a higher annual road tax bill also. A 4-wheel steering system like the one in the Prelude was made available for the 2.0i, 2.0Si, and 2.3Si-Z versions. Apart from the cheapest 2.0iC version, which came with a 5-speed manual transmission, all Ascot Innovas came with a 4-speed automatic. The Ascot Innova range started at ¥1,558,000 for the 2.0iC in the Tokyo sales area, while the most expensive 2.3Si-Z fetched ¥2,992,000 in Sapporo area, not including extra charges for options such as 4-wheel steering, moonroof, passenger airbag, cornering lamps or ABS. The television advertising campaign was built around the slogan "Hardtop Innovation" and featured the American actress Geena Davis. The Ascot Innova itself remained a JDM-only model, and a Honda Primo exclusive, with no JDM sister cars. It was the result of shared efforts with British partner Rover Group, and the car was sold as the European Accord, which was made in Swindon, UK and marketed in Europe as Honda Accord instead of the North American version. The European Accord and the Ascot Innova differ only slightly, with the Euro-Accord being wider and featuring framed windows. Normally, this type of vehicle with a sports car influence would have been sold at Honda Verno, however because of its strong similarity to the Prelude, and Honda Verno already had a luxury sports sedan called the Honda Vigor, the Ascott Innova was assigned to Honda Primo instead, as Honda Clio had the Honda Legend. The European Accord was in turn the base for the Rover 600 saloon, developed under Honda's long-standing relationship with the British Rover Group. The Rover 600 and the Swindon Accord also shared two engine options not available for the Ascot Innova - Honda's F18A 1.8-litre unit and Rover's 2.0-litre L-series turbo-diesel. The Ascot Innova remained in production until 1996, while the European Accord saloon continued until 1998, with a facelifted model in 1996. In 1998, it was replaced with an all-new model. Trim Levels 2,000cc SOHC F20A engine (135 PS) 2.0i･C 2.0i 2.0i･4WS 2,000cc DOHC F20A engine (150 PS) 2.0Si 2.0Si･4WS 2,300cc DOHC H23A engine (165 PS) 2.3Si-Z 2.3Si-Z･4WS 2.3Si-Z･TCV 2.3Si-Z･TCV･4WS Second generation (CE) The next-generation (CD) Accord grew in size