I think the analogy was between a 1.2T and other, larger capacity engines which require less thrashing to attain the same "flat out" speed/acceleration of a 1.2T.
Take for instance the Top Gear fuel economy test (although not scientific admittedly) between the Prius and an M3 (iirc) which depicted that the Prius aquired lower MPG whilst being thrashed compared the the M3 which had to keep up with it.