IT has a badge that evokes memories of a classic hot hatch and should make
anyone over 40 quiver in excitement at the mere mention of its name.

But if you expect the new Peugeot 207 GTI to be anything like the original
Peugeot 205 GTI of the early '80s, then the real relic is you.

The 207 GTI name bears some resemblance to that iconic car, but it seems that
is all it shares.

For one, the 207 GTI is very pretty. It has great curves, especially on its
nose and around its large, mouth-like air intake.

Its rump is rather neat too and unlike its immediate predecessor, the 206, the
207 has proportions that can only be described as near perfect.

Like all things French, the 207 GTI is certainly as chic as they get.

Even the chrome-finished door mirrors with their white turn indicators at the
base exude a certain Gallic charm.

The interior is equally stylish. The sports seats are great to look at and
unlike other more hardcore bucket seats, they are actually comfortable. And
getting in and out of them is easy because the side bolsters are flexible.

Under the bonnet lies the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine found in the
current Mini Cooper S.

In the French car, this joint-venture unit is more refined than it is raw and
almost makes you wonder if it's too genteel for the "GTI" label.

It is a gem, revving smoothly and sweetly as it powers the large-ish supermini
pretty effortlessly. It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox (the Cooper S
has a six-speed shifter).

But the refinement of the engine doesn't quite match the suspension.

Tuned to be more aggressive than the previous car's, it results in a choppy
ride on normal roads (it is said to be brilliant on the track though).

Another bugbear is the steering, which feels inert, especially at low speeds.

As eye candy, the Peugeot 207 has no equal. The visual delight it offers is
also matched by great pace.

But its speed can also be its undoing unless you steer clear of any bumps.

Engine: 1,598cc turbocharged
Gearbox: 5-speed manual transmission
Max power: 175 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 240 Nm @ 1,600 rpm

0-100 kmh: 7.1 secs
Top speed: 220 kmh
Price: $96,900 (with COE)
Distributor: AutoFrance.
Tel: 6376-2288