THE fallout from the near meltdown of General Motors in 2009 is still being felt across the motoring world.

Previously owned by the Stateside giant, Saab looks to have made its last car after the independent Dutch firm that rescued the company failed to secure a partnership deal, and essential funds, from China.

Some are still pointing fingers at GM for the Swedish company's demise after it refused, rightly or wrongly, to licence some technology still used in Saabs to the potential Far Eastern saviours.

The same fate could have awaited another US big hitter, Chrysler, had the Fiat Group not shrewdly stepped in to broker a deal to save the iconic brand.

The Italian car maker is now busily re-inventing these one-time American gas-guzzlers as economical, Europe-friendly motors.

Hence we have the Delta, representing a first foray into the ultra-competitive family hatchback market for Chrysler and aiming to combine its trademark big car space and luxury with Fiat's small car expertise and economy.

And to a large extent, you would have to say the mix is a success.

The Delta is undoubtedly one of the roomiest cars in its class - even using some of the thinking you'd expect to find in an MPV to make its spacious interior more flexible.

The 60/40 split rear seats slide forwards and backwards individually offering the choice between some really capacious legroom for rear passengers or an absolutely enormous boot.

Even with the seats in their normal position both the boot and rear head and leg room are at the top end of the scale. And the rear seat backs also recline, if so desired, offering extra comfort.

The premium interior on this SE trim model is put together to an impressive standard with quality, soft-touch plastics prevailing on the dash and door interiors and gloss piano black surrounds on the facia controls - which are chunky and easy to use.

There are also controls on the leather clad steering wheel to avoid the need to take your eyes off the road.

Powered by the 120bhp, 1.6-litre version of Fiat's impressive MultiJet diesel powertrain the Delta proves frugal and largely refined while at the same time offering plenty of oomph.

A top speed of 120mph and 0-62mph sprint time of 10.7 seconds are thoroughly respectable and make motorway cruising an absolute doddle.

Tootling around town at slower speeds is no problem either, as the Delta proves mild-mannered and unruffled in traffic.

The drone of the diesel can occasionally be heard but, I found, was rarely if ever intrusive and it certainly offers some good fuel efficiency.

You can expect up to 60mpg on average and carbon emissions of just 122g/km, far removed from the thirsty Chryslers of old and ensuring that running costs should be very reasonable.

Road noise was also well contained although wind noise was occasionally evident at motorway speeds, while the ride was settled and comfortable with some excellent feedback through the steering wheel and nimble and precise handling making the Delta quite enjoyable to drive.

This is no doubt helped by what Chrysler calls an Absolute Handling System - a package of the latest stability control technologies which is standard across the range.

Equipment levels are good too, with an MP3 compatible stereo, air conditioning, electric windows and follow-me-home headlights included on entry level S models.

The SE I dorve featured 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles and window surrounds, ambient internal lighting, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, rear air vents and a refrigerated storage compartment.