| PERFORMANCE RATING: |
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One of our only reservations on this score is the 1.4-litre petrol, which does feel quite weedy on the open road or motorway. Overtaking is not something you take-on lightly. However, once up to speed, the car shows much more competence. Moving up the range, the 1.6 is a fine petrol engine, refined and smooth, better than the 1.8 or the 130bhp 2.0-litre, although they do offer more torque. The 2.0-litre ST170 is quite a good engine but the car still feels like it can handle more power. The RS gets that, but is a bit unruly. We've reviewed it separately. The earlier TDdi turbodiesels, although they have plenty of torque and are economical, are behind the pace. But we would highly recommend the newer 1.8 TDCi 100 and 115bhp common-rail turbodiesels. In fact, they're the pick of the range. With diesel clatter only at idle, they're smooth once underway and very driveable and quiet, with excellent power-spread throughout the rev-range. Darned economical too.
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