TINY turbo engines are transforming modern cars and the latest from Vauxhall sets a new standard.
Smooth, refined yet significantly powerful the 1.0-litre three cylinder ECOTEC engine is making its debut in a new version of Vauxhall's ADAM hatchback.
It is Vauxhall's answer to Ford's award winning EcoBoost 1.0-litre turbo and one of no less than 17 advanced powertrains the company will be introducing over the next four years.
Developing 115ps and mated to a new six-speed gearbox it takes small car driving to a new level.
Not only is it pleasantly powerful at low revs - and that's in any gear - it can cruise comfortably in top at less than 2,000 revs.
The result is lively performance of 0 to 60 in less than ten seconds, a top speed of 121mph and an official fuel return of 55.4mpg.
Those are top grade statistics and with emissions of 119g/km it drops into the 16 per cent tax bracket for business users or £30 a year from private motorists after the first 12 months.
Of the three engines now available in the ADAM it is the pick of the bunch, outshining the bigger capacity 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrols used in the car since it was launched last year.
Vauxhall is making no secret that is has big ambitions for its new turbo and it will feature strongly in the new Corsa which is due to be released in the next few months.
In the ADAM the new ECOTEC model will be coming on stream in October priced from £15,335 or £16,695 in the new ADAM ROCKS AIR - a beefed up version of Vauxhall's fashionable three door baby which comes complete with a retractable canvas roof.
Sitting higher than the regular ADAM the ROCKS comes with a revised suspension and steering which improves ride and handling by some margin.
With bold bumpers, wheel arch and sill extensions, underbody protective panels and a large exhaust nacelle the ADAM ROCKS has a more macho appeal - chunky and purposeful yet still capable of being personalised with decals and different trims inside and out.
All round it is an intriguing proposition - slotting even into the booming compact crossover market - and gives Vauxhall another string to its bow in its quest to unsettle Ford from the top of the sales charts.
On the road the turbo treatment makes the ADAM ROCKS much more nimble and quick through the gears.
We managed to notch up an average of 45 to the gallon in general use and with some careful driving more than 50mpg is realistic.
The new engine has stop/start as standard to help its eco credentials and while it has that distinctive three pot rasp it's audible only at low speeds. Get it going and you can't tell the difference from a four cylinder engine.
Vauxhall's engineers have elected to fit the new engine with a balancing shaft to iron out undue vibration and the difference it makes is very noticeable. So is the power delivery which is surprisingly prompt yet in no way obtrusive.
It is a step forward in the way new cars are meeting the needs to clean up emissions while not taking away a driver's potential for fun.
The new ADAM ROCKS AIR will be available priced from £14,695 for the 1.2-litre, £15,075 for the 1.4 and the 1.0-litre turbo will be the flagship of the range. Metal topped versions without the opening roof are slated for next year and are expected to cost around £800 less.