A FRIEND of mine summed up this car in a nutshell when he said: "Is that your daughter's motor?"

And, although said in jest, he was quite right - this is a car for a twenty-something rather than one knocking on the door of fifty.

However, I found you can teach an old dog new tricks as I zipped around town in a city mini fit for a fashionista.

Like the popular 107 it replaces Peugeot's latest urban warrior is a joint venture - built in the same Czech Republic plant as the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1.

But once again Peugeot has ensured it stands apart from its siblings with a host of tweaks and stylish additions that give the car an identity of its own.

The three-door model I drove came with the buzzy, tax-free emission rated 1.2-litre three cylinder engine strutting its stuff under the bonnet.

The petrol power unit's performance - there's also a 1.0-litre version - is helped by an efficient five-speed transmission and seems a lot sharper than the 11-second 0-62mph official time recorded for the car. It zooms around town with aplomb sipping fuel with pleasing frugality.

Motorway driving is surprisingly smooth as well with the car having the necessary oomph to cruise happily along.

Get to your destination and the 108's compact dimensions make just about any parking space a feasible option.

But it's the ability to personalise, as well as a price-tag and running costs that don't break the bank, that has made cars at this end of the market so appealing to the young.

And the 108 is an enticing option with a host of eye-catching paint jobs, including the natty two-tone version on this car, as well as a host of decal trims - called Dressy, Kilt, Diamond, Tattoo and Barcode each costing £350 - to make the exterior and interior stand out.

The upshot is a city motor with more than 5,000 different ways of making it your own featuring four trim levels - Access, Active Allure and Feline.

No self-respecting member of the younger generation though would consider a car these days where onboard connectivity wasn't one of its strengths.

So the 108 sports a seven-inch touchscreen with a hi-tech feel offering USB, aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity for audio and phone.

There's also a digital radio and a multifunction leather steering wheel plus a Mirror Link function for use with Android smartphones.

There are plug in points situated in the centre console and, knowing my daughter's penchant for leaving things lying around, a plentiful supply of handy cubby holes, door pockets and a natty glovebox.

The Access and Active models come with the 1.0-litre engine, sourced from Toyota while the 1.2 block is available with the better equipped Allure and Feline versions.

The Allure model gets air con, a neat rev counter on a digital display next to the speedo, 15-inch alloys, automatic lights, starter button and a reversing camera, with the Feline adding leather upholstery and dual zone climate control.

The 108 is a touch longer than the 107 and easily accommodates four adults. Access to the rear seats is a cinch thanks to wide-opening doors and a simple mechanism that shoots the front seats forward.

On a pre-Christmas hook up with the wife's family the boot proved pleasingly practical as it was able to swallow all the presents within the 196-litre limit of its luggage capacity. The rear seats can be folded increasing load room to 868 litres.

The 108 is a prime player in the city car market and looks certain to attract a legion of fans.