I HAVE MIXED feelings about Peugeot 206s. Small and cute, they're as practical as a hatchback and zippy in traffic. But there's something about their driving position that suggests the French physique is ... well, different. The steering wheel is so high and horizontal you have to lean forward to achieve the 12 o'clock position - bus driver-style. The pedals aren't heel-and-toe friendly, either.
Other quirks prove as annoying in the 206 GTi 180. There's a piece of interior plastic that gets in the way of my right foot's movement between the brake and the accelerator pedals. I have to bury my foot behind it to operate them. This is quite disconcerting, particularly when the 206 GTi 180 is such a natural talent in cornering, where quick and precise footwork is required. At the same time, you might want to lean on the seat's side bolsters to feel every bit of the car. But you can't because your torso has to lean forward to reach the steering wheel.
Over the entire test drive, I'm never quite confident that I can get my pedal actions right, which hampers the fun of this hot little hatch. And then, when you place your right foot on the brake pedal, sometimes you can feel the steering column twisting at the tip of your toes.
It's strange that you seem to be able to laugh all this quirkiness off as endearing Frenchness.
The 206 GTi 180 has much to whet enthusiasts' appetites, though. The GTi 180 model is immediately recognisable with its body-coloured bumpers, a restyled front mesh-screen grille, faux-carbon door mirrors, new 17-inch alloys with low-profile tyres and a fibreglass winglet on top of the rear window that generates some down force at speed. The smart aluminium fuel cap and twin exhaust pipes also attract boy racers.
The interior is exciting, too. The new leather and alcantara suede seats have much bigger thigh and side bolsters. These prove body-hugging, and the front seats have new levers for easier access to the rear compartment. There are aluminium pedals and an aluminium gear stick, which has been shortened by 20mm and has revised mechanics to enable shorter shifts. The new three-spoke steering wheel and instrument binnacle are wrapped in pronounced stitched leather.