Peugeot's 108 is possibly the most conventional-looking and perhaps the most elegant of a trio of new-for-2014 city cars which also includes the Citroen C1 and the Toyota Aygo.Aside from differences in styling, they are all much of a muchness, but the two French cars are distinguished from the Japanese one in that they are offered with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine as an alternative to the universally employed 1.0, and you can specify a fabric sunroof if such a thing takes your fancy.The semi-convertible 108 is called the Top! and its roof can be opened or closed while the car is on the move, though this mild distraction from more important considerations while driving might best be avoided. Since a lot of the bodyshell's basic structure is retained there's no scuttle shake (or if there is I haven't noticed it) and even when the roof is open air disturbance inside the car is minimal.Choosing a Top! over a solid-roofed 108 means accepting some restrictions. It's not available in the lowest or highest trim levels (called Access and Feline respectively), Allure models such as the one tested here don't come with a space saver spare wheel, there's no Sport personalisation option (though you can still have Barcode, Diamond, Dressy, Kilt or Tattoo) and if you want a two-tone colour scheme you're going to have to buy some paint and do it yourself.You also have to pay £1000 more for a Top! than for an equivalent 108 hatchback, but if you really want that partly alfresco feeling it's probably going to be worth that much to you.The 1.2-litre engine produces 82bhp, a respectable hike over the one-litre's 69 which makes the car really quite spritely, but I think I'd avoid it. For a start, the extra performance doesn't really matter if most of your driving is in urban areas, and the 1.0 is quick enough in the country already.The larger engine also makes the 108 feel even less refined than it already is because it makes the whole car shake even at tickover. 1.2s also feel less secure on the open road, as if all that power is too much for them, and my impression - gained from driving this car shortly after a one-litre Aygo - is that they are more difficult to get away smoothly from rest, which isn't good for a car that will spend a lot of its time being asked to do this.And, as before, there are restrictions. There is no such thing as a 1.2 with automatic transmission, and you don't get start/stop, though even without this the more powerful 108 - like all the others, and like every C1 and Aygo too - has a CO2 rating below 100g/km and therefore avoids Vehicle Excise Duty under the current regime.More generally, the 108 is far better than Peugeot's last city car, the 107, which was already substandard when it was introduced in 2005 and whose continuation on sale could barely be justified nearly a decade later.Like the C1 and the Aygo, however, things like the lack of refinement and limited room for rear passengers and luggage put it well behind the more recently launched Renault Twingo and the older Hyundai i10, SEAT Mii, Skoda Citigo and Volkswagen up!More positively, it almost exactly matches the Citroen, Hyundai, Renault and Toyota in terms of crash safety, all of them having been given four stars by Euro NCAP. And the graphics on the 7" touchscreen, available on higher-level versions of this car and its close relatives, are attractive and clear.That touchscreen, along with DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, rear headrests and a height-adjustable driver's seat, are shared with the cheaper Active. The Allure also gets alloy wheels, automatic headlights, front foglights, a speed limiter, heated electric door mirrors, a much-needed reversing camera, a modest amount of interior leather and keyless entry and start. LED daytime running lights, six airbags, hill start assist, remote central locking and rear ISOFIX seat mountings are shared with all 108s. Engine 1199cc, 3 cylinders Power 82bhp Transmission 5-speed manual Fuel/CO2 65.7mpg / 99g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 11.0 seconds Top speed 106mph Price £12,395 Details correct at publication date
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