The new Peugeot 208 does not look like other cars

That the new Peugeot 208 was going to be stylish was obvious — Peugeot’s design department has been on a roll, of late, and it has really pulled out all the stops for the new French Fiesta competitor.

Indeed, so avant-garde is the new 208, that you could almost imagine some people being put off by the dramatic, angular styling. That’s true too of the cabin. Where most rival cars make do with some plain, grey, plastic the 208’s interior is a riot of angled, surfaces, and textures. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do you wonder why more car makers don’t make ‘em like this.

It’s also rather special in that it’s one of the few car ranges in which you can choose from petrol, diesel, or electric.

A basic 208 with the 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol engine is a lightweight, high-revving joy to drive — frugal, but enormous fun.

The electric e-208 is a different thing entirely. It’s much more expensive for a start, but it makes up for its cost with some remarkable all-round performance. Peugeot claims 350km between recharges and you should be able to manage a realistic 280km in day-to-day driving.

It’s also smooth, refined, and yet still good fun to chuck about the place. In fact, it’s one of the best new electric cars currently on sale.

Incidentally, if all of that sounds good but you still can’t get on with the 208’s styling, then check out the new Opel Corsa — all the same mechanical bits, and the same electric option, but with slightly quieter styling inside and out. Both cars are pretty much equally impressive.