| Hands up those who remember rollers skates, the | | | | which gives decent fuel economy  a claimed |
| forerunners of those annoying trainers kids scoot | | | | 39.2 on the combined cycle. Brakes to are worthy of |
| silently round supermarkets on these days... Little things | | | | special mention, being very efficient which is what you |
| with four wheels that you strapped on your feet and | | | | need when you're motoring quickly across country. |
| which gave you an often uncomfortable ride down | | | | When you arrive at a bend that's a little bit tighter than |
| paths and over manhole covers. The modern day | | | | you initially anticipated, you don't want an overly sloppy |
| equivalent could well be the new Peugeot 207 GTI, | | | | pedal. It isn't. The cabin is well laid out, as are all 207s, |
| only in this case you strap it to your nether regions and | | | | and very neat, with the instruments having a new look |
| prepare for a hell of a ride. Which it will give you. | | | | chequered background to complement the red needles |
| Although there are times you need to have your teeth | | | | on the chrome edged dials. Neat touches abound, like |
| firmly clamped together to avoid the risk of biting the | | | | the satin chrome finish door mirrors that tuck in as you |
| end of your tongue off. The ride is, shall we say, | | | | activate the centre locking. And it comes with a pair of |
| without compromise. Firm perhaps doesn't quite sum it | | | | front seats that have a definite competition feel to |
| up, a fact you'll discover at the first pothole you | | | | them, their ergonomically shaped frames giving superb |
| encounter and you wonder if there is any suspension | | | | lateral support from the base of your back right up to |
| travel at all underneath. In fact it can sound like you've | | | | your shoulders. Legroom is so-so, with height |
| broken something underneath, such is the noise that | | | | adjustment your only real alternative if you find your |
| reverberates back through the chassis. But yes there | | | | knees are higher than your rear end. To be honest it's |
| is suspension, and the big plus from the set up is that | | | | not uncomfortable. I managed a lengthy trip down the |
| on a cross country route the GTI is very directional. It | | | | A34 without too much discomfort. But mile after mile |
| goes where you turn the wheel, with classic | | | | after mile on the motorway leaves your arms taking a |
| understeer if you push too hard, and there is very little | | | | pounding as everything the GTI encounters is fed back |
| body roll to worry about. Just what a small hot hatch | | | | through the steering. And tyre roar, on poor surfaces, |
| should be, you're thinking, and you'd be right. It corners | | | | can be tiresome. But if most of your mileage is |
| like its on proverbial rails, it looks like it's taken an | | | | non-motorway orientated, then you'll in all probability find |
| overdose of steroids with its purposeful front end, | | | | it a hoot if a small point-and-squirt type of car is your |
| 206WRC inspired flat wheel arches, side skirts, rear | | | | thing. It costs £14,995 - small price for a sporty |
| spoiler and big 17 inch alloys, and it goes like muck off | | | | look that enthusiasts will dribble over. First small GTI |
| a shovel. Its 'developed with BMW' 175bhp 1600cc | | | | Peugeot I ever drove was on a motor industry test |
| engine sees to that, making it very quick off the mark | | | | day and I steered clear of the track, preferring to go |
| and while you might wonder why there are only five | | | | for a run on a country lane route that had been |
| gears in the box, there are plenty cogs in there to | | | | marked out. I figured the 205 GTI, the 1.9 version, would |
| keep you occupied if you need to get from A to B | | | | be more fun and I wasn't wrong. It brought a great big |
| quickly. It's a relatively small engine with a high output | | | | smile to my face, and so did this one. |