Urban Allure

What we like:

Improved performance (over the diesel)

Ride comfort

Space

Still front-driven

What we dislike:

Interior fit and finish could be better

Cat B COE makes the car a little more expensive

Compared to the diesel we tested earlier on, the 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol makes do with a little less torque of 240Nm, but available a little lower down the rev-range at 1,400rpm. While a little less with the torque, we certainly loved how quick this engine is to respond to your throttle inputs. Power too sees an increase, and the petrol engine reaches 100km/h in just 8.9 seconds, executing this from a well-sorted six-speed automatic.

Gone from the car is the grip control selector (seriously, we couldn’t see the need for that gismo). While the Pug does not like to be rushed, it certainly feels a tad more nimble in the front, compared to the diesel. Without any diesel chatter, cabin noise is actually minimal.

There is also a good rubber/rim ratio, where the 18” rims and 225/55 tyres supply sufficient grip, while providing enough dampening from road niggles.

While the initial diesel model was like a showcase of what the car could be, with its massage seats and terrain climbing trickery built-in for a front-drive car. We feel that the 1.6 turbo makes up for the missing extras with more sprightly performance. Unfortunately the Cat B COE is not something which works in the Pug’s favour.

Credits: