DESCRIBED as a tribute to 1960s chic the Floride special edition of Renault's Megane Coup-Cabriolet won me over from the off.

It's one of those cars it's hard not to notice and it also has that Marmite factor so there's a good chance you'll either love it or hate it.

Though I don't like Marmite I loved this fitting flashback to the halcyon days of motoring summed up by cool sixties dudes and chicks at the wheels of stunningly stylish convertibles that always seemed to be navigating Alpine passes to a suitably swinging soundtrack.

The Floride is essentially about colour with its ivory paintwork and red and ivory two tone interior.

The colour contrast works incredibly well though it's worth noting the overall effect is distinctly bright and eye-catching.

Although I have to confess I don't remember the original sixties Renault Floride the modern Megane take on it certainly captures the spirit of the era.

Its defining characteristic is that ivory and red colour scheme that does indeed evoke a bygone era and it was a combination shared by more than one marque at the time.

Which is why for me it evoked memories of the classic 1960s Mercedes-Benz SL and there's nothing wrong with recreating the flavour of a car like that.

The Floride is the sort of car one might take one look at and decide to buy there and then on sheer impulse. And despite its brightness that elegant trim is the sort of thing one is unlikely to tire of.

The ivory paintwork itself has a distinctly premium look and feel to it, being finished to perfection and a nice added touch includes hand painted ivory alloys.

There is also funky Floride badging that helps set the car apart from the standard model.

The Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet is one of many mid market convertibles with a folding solid roof (remember when there were just a handful).

One of the problems with folding roofs is the physics involved and creating a car that looks good with the roof up is no easy task. All that folding metal and machinery has to be tucked away somewhere and there are some that look somewhat odd and cumbersome with the roof up.

The Renault looks good with its roof up or down though, in part through the clever use of glass as part of its structure rather than metal.

The mechanism operates easily and swiftly too and with the roof up the panoramic glass roof is another feature that delights.

The Floride has just one engine option Renault's TCe 130 petrol engine. Renault say this 1.4-litre highly efficient unit punches well above its weight with the torque of a 2.0-litre and the power of a 1.8-litre. In truth it's a boast that's not too wide of the mark and makes the Floride a potent little performer.

It is also an incredibly smooth, quiet and refined engine too - so much so that on one occasion I actually left it running when I got out - thinking I'd pushed the button to turn it off while in reality I had pushed it off and then on again and not noticed.

It handles well with a nimble sporty feel and a ride that's on the firm side but by no means jarring or unpleasant.

Technological features include an integrated Carminat TomTom Live Satellite, automatic parking brake, rear parking sensors, front heated seats, Bluetooth, USB connection and a pretty swish radio that featured 3D Sound by Arkamys.

All enhance the overall driving experience though I found the radio somewhat difficult to get to grips with.

That technological frustration was my only real gripe with the Floride and I made sure I spent as much time as possible with the roof down in between the fairly persistent rainfall that seems to have characterised this eminently forgettable English summer thus far.

Renault are past masters at turning out special editions of popular models and the Floride carries on this tradition with aplomb.