Volkswagen Golf GT TSI 5dr

I PICKED at the seams of this engine, poked it with a stick, tried to provoke it into that moment where I triumphed.

I drove on part throttle, full throttle, lifted off suddenly, accelerated suddenly, generally in the wrong gear, and did everything I could to be able to say to you: ‘Yes, it might seem clever with its fancy turbo/supercharged engine, but in fact there’s a flaw.’

But the result of all my cunning schemes was that yes, it might seem clever with its fancy turbo/supercharged engine, but that’s because it is.

The Golf GT produces 170bhp from its 1.4-litre TSI engine thanks to the aforementioned modes of forced induction, and manages fuel economy in the high 30s mpg, and CO2 emissions of 178g/km.

That’s a pretty good combination for a high mileage company car driver and, unusually for a petrol, is challenging diesel’s traditional strengths of economy and performance in the same package.

The supercharger does all the brawn, providing low-down torque at a diesel-like sub-2,000rpm while the turbo, cutting in a later point, does the sprinting and the 170bhp bit.

Direct injection also helps the fuel economy, meaning that when the turbo is resting at a 70mph cruise, the 1.4-litre engine – which in a conventional set-up would be working its little heart out – is using the bare minimum of petrol.

The inspiration for this engineering wizardry is emissions. Lowering the amount of carbon dioxide produced by their cars is the European Union-enforced goal of all carmakers and logically, using smaller engines is the basic first step.

But Volkswagen’s approach is commendably bold. It knew that to bring this technology in, and make it stick, going down the super-economy route was not right. So we get the GT, a powerful, but sub-GTI model. How better to prove that small is beautiful than by making it sexy?

The GT looks more like a standard Golf than a GTI, because Volkswagen is hugely protective of the GTI brand, seeing it as a separate entity from other Golfs.

So some discreet GT badges, a slightly more aggressive-looking grille, 17-inch alloys and twin exhausts are all that indicate this car has some go.

Inside the sports seats, a three-spoke steering wheel and turbo boost gauge hint at the fact this car will do 0-62mph in less than eight seconds.

On the move, it doesn’t make the most edifying sound in motoring. I think functional is an apt description, and it does indeed do its job.

It’s a sporty drive, still manages a healthy 36mpg average, and is smooth without being whisper quiet. In fact, at motorway speeds it can get a little boomy.

But overall you cannot escape the feeling that this is the future of engine technology.

P11D value: £18,407
CO2 emissions (g/km): 178
BIK % of P11D in 2006: 22%
Graduated VED rate: £150
Insurance group: 16
Combined mpg: 38.2
CAP RV (3yr/60k): £7,600/41%
Monthly lease (3yr/60k): £362