The all-new suspension has brought about a high level of stability and road-holding. Steering is light and accurate with adequate self-centering action, and its rack and pinion gear does not exhibit the ‘stickiness’ found in some models so equipped. When fast cornering is indulged in, the behaviour is predictable and the car plays no tricks; wet or dry, one never feels any doubt that the car will get around. However, oversteer can be produced by too-fast cornering with a full complement of passengers and a loaded boot – some caution in these circumstances would be natural enough with any family car as small as this.
Riding comfort is very good, without any indication of the so-called “small-wheel” effect – irregularities of British main roads are effectively absorbed and damped. The brakes have ample power and are progressive and fairly smooth.
The engine is a very flexible unit, the car pulling away smoothly from 14mph in top. At full throttle and a maximum speed of little over 70mph, the engine remained smooth and showed no signs of distress; 50mph is reached from standstill in 16.9sec. The clutch is light and sweet, and the whole transmission feels as smooth as in a good conventional front-engined, rear-drive car.
