In order get reasonable power and acceleration from the Atkinson cycle engine, engine speed needs to be in the 3000+rpm band.
In my view, the problem of poor performance only really occurs with Manual cars, simply because the engine is revving usually way below that figure, when the need to accelerate arises.
With a CVT car as soon as you put your foot down the engine speeds up into the power band and away you go!
On the odd time when, for whatever reason it does not respond, then a quick flick of the downshift paddle, soon sorts it out.
Make no mistake, the Atkinson cycle engine can be made to perform, when the need arises, it's just a slightly different technique that is required and I'm quite happy to accept that, in the interests of overall fuel economy.
Just for interest the 'History of trip A' results for the last 3 tankfuls of fuel have been 53.1, 51.2, 52.9 mpg and I'm very happy with that.