IF you are searching for a well engineered hatchback with a frugal diesel engine and a sporty nature to its performance then the Chevrolet Aveo 75ps 1.3 VCDi could be the answer.

Priced at  £12,345 the LT trim, five door hatchback in particular, has a top speed of 101mph, can reach 60mph in 14.2 seconds, and has a definitive sports style suspension that belies the bread and butter zone  in which it competes.

This is definitely a family hatch dedicated and designed for the town but when you get behind the wheel of the LT version, you discover it has some hidden depth.

I liked its uptake to accelerator commands, the smooth, slick gear changes, the positive steering and I certainly fell for the firm sports car feel of the suspension.

But the performance side, which showed its full potential on the open roads, is not all the assets found in this model.

Its specification is comprehensive for a car in this sector with 15-inch alloys, power steering, air conditioning, electronic stability, cruise control, and a good entertainment system which includes Bluetooth, RDS radio and a CD player.

Five people could just about fit comfortably inside the 'squared off' cabin and the luggage capacity reaches 290 litres. With the rear seats folded this rises to 653 litres.

However although the Aveo may have a leaning towards a race track power play its fuel figures are highly frugal. According to Chevrolet it will average 74.3mpg, whilst its CO2 emission rating is a low 99g/km.

The new Aveo has a lot going for it. It is competing within an overcrowded sector and amongst some superb rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.

And whilst it has a fight on its hands amongst such established competitors, it has plenty of potential if only due to the sporty feel of its structure.