15 Feb 05
When it goes on sale on April 10th, there will be a wide range of petrol and turbodiesel engines and all meet the Euro IV emissions standards. The petrol range comprises two Twinport fuel-injected units - an 89bhp 1.4-litre and a 104bhp 1.6-litre, and a 123bhp 1.8-litre. For now the quickest Sport Hatch from launch gets the turbocharged 167bhp 2.0-litre, but later this year the tuned-to-240bhp 2.0-litre VXR model will arrive, with a sub-£20,000 price tag. The turbodiesel line-up - all commonrail units - starts off with 98bhp 1.7-litre, and two 1.9-litres that develop 118bhp and 147bhp. There will be a choice of six-speed manual, five-speed automatic and Easytronic clutchless automatic transmissions.
Prices start at £13,795 for the 1.4-litre SXi and top out at £18,145 for both 150bhp diesel and 170bhp petrol flagships with Sports Pack. An optional £650 Styling Pack adds 18-inch alloy wheels, body kit and a roof spoiler.
Standard equipment levels are high across the range: six airbags, air-con, sports seats, anti-lock brakes, traction control, remote central locking, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sports suspension, 16-inch alloys and a CD stereo make it into every Sport Hatch. The list of options is long, too, with several gismos to keep drivers engaged and safe: a Sports setting recalibrates the electronic maps of the steering and throttle for a more dynamic driving feel, while Understeer Logic prevents things getting out of control. Other extra kit includes electronic damper controls, adaptive headlamps, tyre deflation warning and a panoramic roof, which is not so much a glass roof as an extension of the windscreen up and over to the rear.
