Diesel delights

ONE interesting response to the re-classification of COE Category A has been the proliferation of turbodiesels. The diesel engine typically offers low power with high torque, making it ideal for meeting the government's engine output limit of 97 kW or 130 hp for cars below 1,600 cc.

One of these models is the Volvo V40 Cross Country D2. The Volvo V40 Cross Country is already familiar here in T4 trim, with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 180 hp and 240 Nm.

The D2 version, however, has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with 115 hp. But it is able to muster up an eye-popping 270 Nm of torque to send to the front wheels through the six-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission.