Peugeot's nippy 108 packs a lot in

FOR a car that has only been with us for a short while, the Peugeot 108 has packed a lot in.

The latest 108 first came to light on St Valentine’s Day at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

If the idea was that punters would fall in love with this little pocket rocket on a day when everyone was supposed to be loved up, then the French carmaker proved to be on to a very good thing.

Now the car is available in a truly dazzling model range — so much so that Peugeot has helpfully provided a list for the 108 range “made simple”.

But before we get to that I have to say that after a quick spin in a brand new — that is, 66 plate — cracking little Peugeot 108 GT Line in smart Raven Black livery, I am still a sucker for this car.

What I like about it is that when you get behind the wheel, the car somehow dictates that you are not there to mess around.

You get straight on with it once you strap in and shift the 108 into gear. You are off — and I mean “off” at a brisk lick.

Figures tell you this whippersnapper takes you from a standing start to 62mph in 10.9 seconds. Not particularly quick, you might say, and you would be right.

But boy does take-off seem nippy as the rasping 1,199cc petrol engine quickly eats up the miles.

And that is what this little Peugeot does best, keeping on keeping on, as the mellifluous Alan Bennett might put it.

So to the promised list. This is Peugeot’s “extensive 108 range made simple”:

l 108 Hatchback — four trim level choices: Access, Active, Allure and GT Line

l 108 TOP! — two trim level choices — Active and Allure

l Special Edition — 108 TOP! Roland Garros

l Personalisation — six themes, six dual (two-tone), eight interior ambiences

l Price range: from £8,495 to £13,985 (on the road)

l Engine choice: three petrol engines, 1.0-litre 68hp, 1.0-litre 2-Tronic 68hp, 1.2-litre PureTech82hp

l Popular models: Active, 1.0-litre 68hp

l Interesting: Allure in Laser Red; Purple Berry is the most popular metallic colour

So there you have it. Dual, by way of explanation, is a range of six two-tone paint finishes including four new lower/upper colour variations: Carbon Grey/Raven Black, Laser Red/Zircon Grey, Diamond White/Zircon Grey, Diamond White/Tahoe Blue.

No wonder Peugeot says this city car is “affordable chic”.

The 108’s advanced infotainment system is based around a fully integrated seven-inch touchscreen display, mounted at the top of the centre console for ease of use by both front seat occupants.

Standard on Active, Allure and Feline trims and intuitive to use, it acts as an interface for the USB/AUX/DAB digital radio-equipped audio system, trip computer, vehicle settings and Bluetooth connectivity. Simple.