I would imagine that the 2.0 HDI engine is the same in all or most of the Peugeot range.
Anyone with the RCZ HDI and presumably people with 208s etc. would know it is very torquey, 320nm @ 2000rpm. Pick up actually starts at 1500 rpm. Which is great for pulling away.

Thing I do not like is 2nd gear when crawling through traffic.

It's sort of too revvy, like you have to dip the clutch to reign it in. And then forced to drop into 1st.

Maybe I am a crap driver. I have never had a sporty diesel before, is this just something that you have to live with?