No other car in its class is better qualified to meet the challenges of escalating fuel prices, benefit in kind taxation and environmental concerns. With 214hp (157kW) at 4,100rpm, the new D3 Bi-Turbo unit is especially powerful and unusually high-revving with a massive 450Nm (332lbs-ft) of torque from 2,000 to 2,500rpm. As such, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is operating in V8 or large-displacement six-cylinder diesel engine territory. The exceptionally smooth power delivery can be enhanced further with the optional SWITCH-TRONIC automatic transmission, with the capability of switching instantly to manual utilising buttons on the back of the steering wheel.

The manual version will get you 5.4l/100km (in US that’s about 44mpg), while the auto still pulls a respectable 5.6l/100km (or 42mpg). A few more pictures after the break.