THE SUPERMINI market is big business. Since none of them are actually that mini these days they actually make fine all-rounders for single people and young couples, and the number sold every year reflects that.

Peugeot has renewed its assault on the sector with a bit of fresh thinking – relatively speaking. The size and weight increases from 205 to 206 to 207 have been reversed with the new 208. The basic model at launch is one solitary kilogram heavier than the entry-level 206 was.

It’s also 7cm shorter than the 207, a little less tall and slightly narrower, but despite the extensive surgery there’s more interior space. The doors have had unnecessary thickness taken out of them, the seats have been slimmed slightly and the space has just generally been used more effectively.

Joining the line-up is the 208 Style - Special Edition on sale now priced from £13,445

Based on the best-selling Active trim level, it features eye-catching and desirable extras, a strong visual appeal and excellent value for money.

Includes are the following additional items of equipment:

- Cielo panoramic glass roof

- Satellite navigation

- Parking aid

- Leather steering wheel

- Chrome door mirrors

- New seat trim

- Style badging

In total, that package is worth more than £1,400. Yet at just £750 more than the equivalent Active model, this 208 Style represents exceptional value.

The 208 Style is available with a range of engines, the PureTech 1.2-litre VTI, the 1.4-litre HDI or the 1.6-litre e-HDI Stop & Start engines. It is priced from £13,445 in three-door body style and £14,045 in five-door.

The 82bhp 1.2-litre VTi three-cylinder petrol engine forms the entry point into the 208 range, but as the car’s newest engine it has some tricks up its sleeve to tempt buyers in. For a start there’s the noise of the triple-cylinder layout, which has the sort of off-beat thrum that gives a car a bit more character compared with a four-cylinder equivalent.

With a fairly ample output, more natural torque than a 1.2-litre four-pot and less weight to contend with versus the 207, the 1.2 is actually pretty nippy around town. Urban surroundings are where it belongs, really, with its five-speed gearbox optimised so that the smooth engine can cruise happily at 30mph in fifth.

On the motorway you see the other side of the coin, with around 3,300rpm showing at 70mph. That’s quite a lot and its fuel economy will suffer with a lot of high-speed driving, but remarkably at that pace – and those revs – the engine is inaudible. Impressive stuff.

Despite that, it works best in town. It has excellent visibility all around, and an arrestingly tiny steering wheel helps add to the nimble, small-car feel. It’s not that it feels less mature than the 207, but you could say it feels a lot fresher.

The 208 is a very likeable car, and despite the diesel being in some ways the better choice the petrol has price and character on its side.

At a glance

Model: Peugeot 208 Style

Price: from £13,495

Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol producing 82bhp

Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels

Performance: Top speed 109mph, 0-62mph in 14.0 seconds

Fuel economy: 62.7mpg

CO2 rating: 104g/km.