WITH more than 100,000 UK sales since it was launched three years ago, Peugeot has just added to the appeal of its fun, funky and very striking best-selling 208 model.

There are more efficient engines, styling enhancements, personalisation packs, improved safety features and a stunning new trim level which oozes sporting know-how and appeal.

Priced from £11,695, buyers can select from four trims called Access, Active, Allure and a new GT Line. In addition there are three special GTi models (GTi, GTi Prestige and GTi by Peugeot Sport) and these cars deliver the awesome driving dynamics and edge-of-the-seat performance associated with the GTi name.

New eye-catching design traits across the range include a redesigned front bumper with wider grille, two-tone headlights, separate fog lights, a choice of wheel options and rear light clusters that show off Peugeot's 3D claw motif. There are also more colour options bringing the total to 13 along with textured paint and a range of personalisation packs so buyers can really stamp their mark on the car.

And that new GT Line priced from £16,095 is guaranteed to stand out from the crowd with its Equalizer grille with red 3D markings, a gloss black grille and front fog lamp finishers, specially designed 17-inch alloys, chrome trim and GT Line badging. The interior has black and red sports seats with a leather flat-bottomed sports steering wheel and aluminium pedals.

The 208 is available in three or five-door styling with a choice of four petrol engines - 1.0-litre (68bhp), 1.2-litre (82bhp), 1.2-litre (110bhp) and 1.6-litre (208bhp). And diesel models are powered by a 1.6-litre engine with three output choices of 75, 100 or 120bhp.

That revised engine line-up means all 208 models across the range meet stringent Euro 6 emissions standards. And when it comes to economy the 208 recently earned a place in the record books when a 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100bhp diesel recently set a new long distance fuel consumption record. A total of 1,337 miles were covered using just 9.45 gallons of diesel which equates to a staggering 141.2mpg.

Admittedly this is an achievement few owners will repeat or even attempt to replicate, but it is a clear sign that Peugeot takes economy and efficiency very seriously indeed.

Another area Peugeot has looked at is safety and new models can feature the likes of a reversing camera and Active City Brake, along with a comprehensive array of more traditional safety specifications.

So the new 208 looks the business, is packed to bursting with techno treats and offers very tempting economy stats but have performance and driving dynamics been compromised in the pursuit of such impressive figures? We took to the long winding roads and steep inclines of Austria to find out and we weren't disappointed.

First up was the 1.2 PureTech 110 S&S five-door model with automatic transmission in Allure trim. This model priced at £17,095 can deliver fuel efficiency of 62.8mpg but the driving dynamics are as sharp as ever. It attacks bends for fun, there is ample power on tap and the road-holding is sublime.

The automatic gearbox is beautifully smooth and responsive making light work of long sweeping inclines yet the car also behaves in a very refined manner too delivering excellent comfort levels and a very quiet cabin environment.

Next up was the three-door model powered by the same engine but mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. This model is priced at £15,495 and can achieve combined efficiency of 62.8mpg.

Once again the 208 was excellent fun to drive and it appeared a little edgier than the auto version. It seemed to have a little more fizz and there is something about driving a three-door hatchback that adds to the enjoyment of tackling hairpin bends!

Finally, the 1.6 BlueHDi 120 S&S five-door model with six-speed manual gearbox in the dazzling new GT Line trim. This car which costs £18,245 can deliver a whopping 78.5mpg on a combined run and has cash-saving carbon emissions of just 94g/km.

When it comes to looks and styling the GT Line is definitely worth exploring with its chic and gorgeous features. And despite the outstanding economy capabilities it easily lives up to the 208 name-tag.

To be honest all three models had their own individual appeal and it really is up to each and every buyer to work out what is on their wish-list and mix and match models to suit.

Gilles Vidal, head of Peugeot design, summed up the car perfectly when he said: "The new 208 is a sleek ball of positive energy."

And who can possibly argue with that?