THERE'S a scene in the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi move Total Recall when our hero catches a taxi on Mars.
The Peugeot 1007 doesn't remind me of the taxi, but I did find myself grinning hugely like the robot in the film as I drove off in the car.
With it's electric doors and tiny proportions it simply has a lovely, quirky, fun-feel about it.
I can see why it won awards for the Best Small Car in 2005 and Idea of the Year in 2004.
Peugeot is claiming it is the first car in the world to feature two front electric sliding doors.
You have to hand it to the French manufacturer. It saw how much the small car market has increased in the past ten years - by more than 59 per cent - and decided it was the area on which to concentrate.
Unveiled as a concept car called Sesame at the Paris Motor Show in 2002, it developed under an innovative design which makes it:
But it is those doors which are the car's major feature. They are designed to make life simple by making it easier to get in and out - particularly in a restricted space. They also give uncompromised side visibility and enhance safety.
A press on the remote control key slides the door rearwards in five seconds - without exceeding the overall length of the car - to reveal a maximum opening of 920mm.
But does it pass the mum test? I have to say yes. If my mum, who is partially disabled, finds it easy to get in and out of a car - and she did - it definitely gets the thumbs up.
There are two petrol engines and a diesel in the range, with me taking the latter. You get two trim levels, Sport or Dolce, again this one being the second.
It performs perfectly and, given that the engine size is modest, it is always perky and responsive.
Particularly impressive is what Peugeot calls modularity - the different configurations available for the seats. Adaptability such as on offer here has to be a big plus when drivers insist on practicality as well as comfort.
With several possible combinations which change the vehicle very quickly from four to two, or even one seat, without them having to be removed and stored, you can alter the vehicle easily to suit your circumstances.
It sounds complicated but, rather like the car in general, it is not. In addition, you get lots of little storage spaces to keep the vehicle clutter free.
And the boot, while modest with all the seats up, can be extended considerably depending on the configuration of the seats.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 1007 Dolce 1.4 HDi
Price: £11,550
Mechanical: 70bhp, 1,398cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 15.4 secs
Combined mpg: 60.1
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: 124g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust