PEUGEOT has made no secret of the fact it has big ambitions for its 208, a car touted as the spiritual successor to the unforgettable 205 of the early eighties onwards.

While it might seem odd Peugeot has waited almost 30 years to deliver a supermini whose star is expected to shine quite so brightly it arguably says much about just how good the 205 was.

Until the 205 came along superminis by and large tended to be staid and functional.

In many senses it proved a game-changer, helping to create a market where small cars could be fun, stylish and sought-after. And it did much to help redefine Peugeot as a brand.

Quite why Peugeot has never quite managed to replicate its success in the intervening years is anyone's guess, but whatever the case it hasn't, meaning it will be interesting to see how well the 208 fares.

Not all small cars can go down the retro design route of the MINI and the Fiat 500 but their success has in turn rejuvenated the sector and inspired manufactures to think a little more creatively.

In some respects it's where automotive cutting edge design is currently at and those managing to cut the mustard are carving out a successful niche for themselves.

As far as the 208 goes it has the sort of presence that the 206 and 207 never had.

It looks good with an undisputed air of instant desirability, whether in three-door or five-door guise.

Overall it's modern and cutting edge too, with a raft of creative and carefully crafted design flourishes that help set it apart.

My favourite is the cutaway shape of the windscreen where it meets the roof, but there are plenty to choose from.

Cabin quality overall is noticeably good and though it's an added extra on many models the multifunction colour touchscreen navigation system allows you to control everything from music files via a USB connection to a Bluetooth hands-free kit in remarkably easy fashion.

One of the unusual features of the 208 is its very small steering wheel, part of a set-up designed to enable its instrumentation to be viewed over it.

It has caused some controversy but I didn't find it unpleasant or inconvenient in any way and once I had got used to it rather liked it.

Though smaller than the 207 it cleverly offers more interior space. The five-door is certainly more practical and this car was certainly up to the job as a family motor - even the boot was a decent size.

One of the big improvements over the 207 is a weight loss regime (an average of 114kg) that would delight the most desperate New Year dieter trying to shake off the seasonal excess.

It does much, along with some significant engineering enhancements, to ensure the 208 is a sharp and snappy car to drive.

Though the 1.6-litre diesel engine might add more weight to a slimmed down model it more than makes up for it when it comes to offering a blend of performance and economy that takes some beating.

A combined cycle figure of 74.3mpg might seem like a tall order but in the real world you'll probably get fairly close to it, which is impressive.

And though 12.2 seconds to reach 62mph might seem sluggish in today's fast paced world this 208 boasts a top speed of 115mph and again in real world driving its smooth power delivery right through the range and noticeable pace at higher speeds will not disappoint.