Road Test: Peugeot 308 1.2 e-THP 130 PureTech GT Line 5dr

Not content with just sitting there and polishing its European Car of the Year trophy, Peugeot has now decided to throw a 3cyl into its award-winning 308.

It's the first car to use PSA's 1.2-litre turbo direct-injected triple, which, being more powerful, lighter and cleaner, will soon replace the 1.6 four. Considering
it's not the smallest car, the 308 handles the diddy engine incredibly well.

Available in two states of tune (108 and 128bhp), the more powerful version is impressive. It's buttery smooth throughout the rev range and offers dollops of 170lb ft of torque low down with little lag.

More than that, lopping off a cylinder has given this austere and polished Frenchie a bit of personality, thanks to the chirpy and characterful soundtrack of wastegate flutter remixed with a wonderfully gruff 3cyl thrum.

But considering we could only manage high thirties at the best of times, the claimed 58.9mpg seems impossible for people lacking hydrogen-filled feet.

It also doesn't drive as well as the equivalent Ford Focus. But it's a little bit quicker, coughs out less CO2 (110g/km) and has a posher interior. Making it a welcome member to the new, trendy three-cylinder club.