In our books, the Peugeot TUD5 engine is still one of the better engines to have burned diesel in the country, and in its class, is still the best. The indirect injection 1527cc oil burner develops 57bhp at peak revs of 5000rpm and torque of 95Nm at 2250rpm, the torque curve being relatively flat from 2250rpm to 3500rpm and then tapering off. Per litre output of the engine is 37.3bhp while a kerb weight of 930kg translates into a power to weight figure of 61.29bhp/ton.

The same Esteem gearbox has been carried on with identical ratios. It's only the final drive ratio that has been varied to better optimise the 'box to account for the increased weight. I say better optimised and not perfectly optimised to the weight and power characteristics of the engine. Shift action though is simply superb and it was great to get re-acquainted with that classic hot-knife-thru-butter shift quality.

As regards refinement, the less said the better. Only the deaf person will have difficulty in identifying this as a diesel car. The clatter at start-up is near deafening though it does come down to tolerable levels once warmed up. The distinct impression though is that MUL haven't put in any effort in tackling the NVH levels and bringing it down to what we have come to expect from even entry-levels cars.