Overview

ONE of our most eagerly awaited drives this year has been a diesel – but not any old eco clunker created to eek the most out of an oily rag.

No, the twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-pot torque-fest found in the 123d Coupe and hatch overseas has finally landed in Australia, promising sports car levels of performance combined with low fuel consumption and a fraction of the CO2 emissions that some equivalently priced petrol rivals can offer.

So are we disappointed?

Does the 123d deliver?

And should we consider taking on a second job to afford one?