It might have its limitations in the city but you’ll find that this small petrol motor feels right at home on the highway. It returned a fuel efficiency of 12.79kmpl in our city test. The Rapid will also be easy on your pocket. The surge in torque is surprising, but you can easily modulate it using the throttle once you get used to it. So if you are driving around sedately, you’ll have to work a little to make quick overtakes, like dropping a gear. Prod the throttle and hold it there and you’ll suddenly be greeted by a huge surge of torque that comes in at around 2200rpm.

Nothing that won’t get you around town but you won’t have any power on tap. However, drive constantly below 2000rpm and you will find that the Rapid feels sluggish. It revs quite cleanly and power in the top part is quite evenly spread out. Get going and you’ll find that the Rapid TSI is an easygoing partner in the city. And that is where you’ll find that ‘small’ three-cylinder story come to an end. This is something you can expect from a three-cylinder engine. Strangely enough, the only vibrations you’ll feel are at idle, and that too, tiny amounts from the seats. Slot that key into the ignition and turn it (yes, you still don’t get push button start/stop) and the new engine comes to life with a thrum that your ears will instantly recognise as the clattery noise of a three-cylinder engine. The only transmission option for now is a 6-speed manual, although a 6-speed torque converter will be offered in the near future. And the turbocharger helps it dish out a healthy 110PS and 175Nm of peak torque. Your only option now is a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine.

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