The Hyundai i20 CRDi Blue is an excellent car that delivers economy and a good drive in a well polished package. It has plenty of equipment and feels solid and stable on the road for such a small car. Yes, it lacks the character and style of some competitors, but it’s not short on talent around town – and that’s where it’s meant to be driven.

The new Hyundai i20 CRDi Blue is set to be the most efficient non-electric, non-hybrid car on the market, with its 74bhp 1.1-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel emitting only 84g/km of CO2.

This pips the former best of 85g/km in the Kia Rio, which features a less developed version of the same engine. The i20 also offers class-leading 88.3mpg economy.

The production car will be based on the Classic trim, which means 15-inch alloys, remote central locking, air-con, electric front windows and six airbags are standard. It also adds stop-start, as well as energy-saving tyres.

It still sounds like a diesel, but the i20 is remarkably refined. Unlike some rivals there’s little vibration at idle, and you won’t hear the turbo, which has variable geometry to increase efficiency and boost throttle response.

The car isn’t fast yet it’s quite at home in town, as it has plenty of poke and changes gear smoothly. Add in light steering plus strong brakes, and the i20’s easy to drive.

Short, economy-focused gearing means you’ll need to change ratios mid-manoeuvre during overtaking, but the engine is a gem. It lacks the verve of the VW up!’s three-cylinder, yet is more efficient and feels more substantial on the road.

The CRDi Blue goes on sale for £11,795 around a month after the new i20’s 7 May release.