14 Sep 04
Six engines are available, two diesels and four petrols. The pick of the diesels is the smaller 1.6-litre 110bhp unit also found in the hottish 206 GTi HDi. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, it musters 60mph in just over 12 seconds and top out at 117mph. There's plenty of torque available, rated at 180 lb ft at 1,750rpm or 192lb ft when the overboost function kicks in upon nailing the throttle. The larger 2.0-litre 136bhp diesel gains an extra ratio in the gearbox and shaves two seconds off the 0-60mph sprint and top speed is higher at 125mph. Exhaust emissions and overall fuel consumption are very good at 50mpg and 148g/km for the 1.6, 47mpg and 155g/km for the 2.0-litre.
Three four-cylinder petrol engines are offered in 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2-litre guises. An automatic-only 3.0-litre V6 is also offered as the flagship model. We've only tested the 2.2-litre so far, with the six-speed manual gearbox (it's also available with the 4-speed auto), and it will reach 60mph in 9.5 seconds and go on to 129mph. Both manual gearboxes have well-spaced ratios although and while the movement can be a little clunky, it's better than that found in the Renault Laguna.
