Vauxhall's mid-sized people carrier, the £19,995 Zafira MPV, is heading into the home straight this month powered by a new turbocharged engine, making it the fastest and hottest people carrier on the road.

With Citroen's Picasso and Renault's Scenic at the moment proving the more popular buy, Vauxhall see their new hot MPV as a potential winner, a car that is aimed at the family driver who also values the sports side of motoring.

This new model, with its 192PS Ecotec engine has a top speed of nearly twice the legal limit, and can complete the 60mph dash in an head-jerking 7.6-seconds.

Since its launch in 1999, the Zafira has enjoyed lots of awards, mostly for its flexible layout, but with the impact of certain rivals, was in obvious need of a boost, and it was decided the development of a fire-breathing seven seater was the answer.

A GSi badge on the tailgate and Turbo lettering on the pillars announce the way the car is heading, but the external changes help emphasise this fact by including a deep front spoiler with large air intake, individual styling of the bumpers and side sills, a rear tailgate spoiler and low-slung 17-inch alloy wheels.

Even inside the sporty look continues, with Recaro seats for the driver and front passenger, and a two-tone leather covered steering wheel and white instrument dials.

Overall, the Zafira range offers three models, the entry level Club, the higher specification Comfort or the top-of-the-range Elegance, itself now topped by the GSi Turbo.