IF THERE is ever a petrol-driven car that attests to the popularity of diesels in Europe - France in particular - the new Peugeot 308 Turbo is it.

The Pug's engine is derived from the same block found in BMW's Mini Cooper S, but is tuned to produce less tacho-busting peak power.

Instead, it is made to produce a prodigious amount of torque, with the engine hardly breaking into a sweat.

Just like a diesel.

If you glance at the specs, it says peak torque of 240Nm is available from 1,400rpm. The pulling force does not taper off till after 4,000rpm. That is more than what some sport utility vehicles have.

It is not paper torque, either. The 308 is truly one of the most responsive machines we have tested of late.

This responsiveness is not measured by a stopwatch, but by an impressive level of flexibility and driveability the car offers in various real-world conditions.

Typical of many turbos, there is a split second the 308 is in suspended animation when you floor it. But once the engine gets to its sweet spot - and it does not take long to do so - the car takes off like a good hot hatch should.

From there, the car continues to mimic a diesel.

Power delivery is akin to water from a tap, and the speedometer climbs faster than the tachometer. In fact, the car exceeds highway limits dangerously quick.

Most of the time, you find yourself applying only the slightest pressure on the accelerator. And because things get moving at such low revs, you hardly hear the engine or its exhaust.

The 308's autobox, although 'merely' a four-speed job, is adequate. It is one of the more intuitive transmissions around.

That makes negotiating twisting roads a lot more fun and somewhat less taxing than it normally would with an automatic. But it is rather abrupt when downshifting to first gear as you come to a stop. You can actually feel it going through the cogs.

And its 'Tiptronic' mode is tuned more for refinement rather than sportiness.

The 308 is built on a modified version of the 307's platform. It has a competent chassis that manages to deliver dynamism with loads of comfort. Maybe in a somewhat sterile fashion, but it gets the job done.

The car's steering, while not the most communicative in town, allows you to partake of whatever driving pleasure the car affords.

But driving pleasure is probably not the only thing that you will think of when you see the 308.

Many things will go through your mind, including sex. Yes, the car is sensual.

Peugeot is obviously on a roll here. Ever since the 306, it has been designing hatches you want to sleep with.

Every which way you look at it, it is beautiful. Even its shark-nosed front, designed to minimise injury to pedestrians in an accident.

The car is decently equipped. It comes with four airbags, rear air-con vents (unnecessary but nice), five three-point seatbelts (with individual warning lamps), dual-zone climate control, grippy disc brakes all round (ventilated in front) and auto-retractable wing mirrors for the Turbo.

But really, the car's unique proposition is how it manages to deliver the performance of a turbodiesel without being one. That, and the sex.

PEUGEOT 308 TURBO
Price: $89,900 with COE
Engine: 1,598cc 16-valve inline-4 turbo
Transmission: Four-speed automatic with manual select
Power: 140bhp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 1,400rpm
0-100kmh: 9.3 seconds
Top speed: 202kmh
Fuel consumption: 11.4 litres/100km (city-highway)
Agent: AutoFrance

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jun 7, 2008.