It seemed rather . . . well, inappropriate, on one of the most hectic weekends in the motorsport calendar, to be tootling around in a vehicle which would probably come out very well in an audition to find alternative transport for Postman Pat.But that's the Hyundai Amica. A cheery little machine, based on the Atoz but with a lower roofline, front and rear restyling, and a revised version of the one-litre Epsilon engine which Hyundai also installs in its slightly bigger city car.It's nippy around town, easy to park because it can get into slots many drivers shy away from, and it's roomy. There's plenty of space up front, although tall drivers may find the pedal positions awkward. Excellent headroom in the back, fairly generous kneeroom too, and a good sized boot, although I didn't like the look of the rather flimsy parcel shelf attachments and left the shelf in place instead of removing it so as to get my tank of pet piranhas on board.There's the high stance which older people, especially, like, plus pretty good all-round visibility and pleasant upholstery in the GSi, but that dull grey vinyl trim on the fascia and door cappings than which there must surely be something a bit livelier.But the engine's lively, within its limitations. It revs enthusiastically, although you have to remember what size it is and don't try to labour up hills in top. Fortunately, there's a surprisingly slick gearchange, and it's no problem to snick down a ratio or two.People who look at a car like the Amica and think "body lean" are, of course, quite correct. You can provoke quite a bit of it. However, if you owned an Amica you would hardly drive it on the doorhandles all the time.The other side of the coin is that the supple suspension, and the tiny wheels and tyres, let the little Hyundai cope easily with bumpy and potholed roads. In fact, this is one of those small cars which you can enjoy because they can be driven pretty well flat out. But it's no toy, despite the rather optimistic rear spoiler above the tailgate.City car, family runabout, weekend jaunting car - the Amica could fill most of these roles. And it doesn't feel as if it's built down to some cheapo price.Air-conditioning is standard on the GSi, although not on the entry-level Si, which is a full £1000 less expensive. So are power steering, alloy wheels, central locking, front foglamps and a split-fold rear seat. And the instrument cowl continues that jokey Hyundai habit of looking like a batch of cupholders turned through 90 degrees.Or could that resemblance be accidental? What are those curious things crawling up the office wall, and abseiling down the curtains? Maybe I'm hallucinating. Bye.Second opinion: "Plenty of space up front"? Not from where I was sitting. Even with the seat as far back as it would go I was nearly bent double driving the Amica. That made it awkward to drive - surely the last thing you want from a city car. I also thought the throttle was too hair-trigger in its operation, requiring a more sensitive right foot than demanded by almost anything else I've driven. In other respects it's okay, but the Vauxhall Agila has raised the game in this class. David Finlay. Engine 999cc Power 55bhp Fuel 44.8mpg Acceleration 0-62mph: 15.1 seconds Top speed 88mph Price £7799 Details correct at publication date
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