A DIESEL with a GTi badge! Well how uncool is that? When I was a lad that would be about as trendy as giving your dad's old Marina a Starsky and Hutch paint job.
But times change and the latest generation of diesels are nothing like the chattering, smoky and sluggish old Joe's. And the Peugeot 206 GTi, complete with HDi, engine is the epitome of that technology.
In a car of these proportions, this is about as good as you can get. On paper the performance looks nothing to shout about in the true hot hatch stakes.
Top speed is a reported 118mph and the 0 to 60 sprint takes 9.2 seconds. The fun with this GTi is contained in mid-range acceleration and there this 206 moves like a rocket.
Most diesels red line at about 4,500 revs. This one goes all the way to 5,500 and that makes all the difference. It may be only a 1.6-litre engine but it develops 110bhp and, more importantly, 180lb/ft of torque at just 1,750 revs. That means a big, broad power band and the 206 GTi laps it up.
Neither is it expensive to buy or run. At £13,770 it is priced alongside the likes of run of the mill versions of the Renault Megane, VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra. In terms of the fun that can be obtained from the Peugeot, none of those can hold a candle to it.
Fuel consumption is an amazing 59 miles per gallon on average, emissions a low 126g/km and when it comes to kit there is little missing. Auto wipers, auto headlamps and climate control are all standard and so are front and side airbags.
No GTi is complete without some special bits and the 206 has plenty. Sixteen inch, nine spoke alloy wheels, and mean front end with mesh grille, spoiler and an air intake cut into the bonnet, chrome exhaust and flared rear bumper make it look a mean machine.
Inside the trim is posh leather, cloth and alcantara and the seats have all the right support for sporty driving. Then there are a few GTi hallmarks such as an aluminium gear knob, drilled metal pedals, leather covered steering wheel and silver-rimmed instrumentation.
Smart and trendy to say the least, and this is what the 206 GTi is all about.
The only gripe - and it is nit picking - is in the design of the door pockets which, as this is only a two door car, are so far back they are impossible to get at.
The door trim also bulges out to almost touch the sides of the seats - and on more than one occasion that fouled the seatbelts while strapping in.
When it comes to handling this car is almost as much fun as the legendary Peugeot 205 GTi - and that was like a go-kart with a roof.
But the 205 was petrol powered, not diesel. Let nothing be taken away from the qualities of this high performance diesel.
It has GTi on the tailgate and in every aspect it is worthy to carry those letters. The HDi logo on the front wings proves it is bang up to date and just a pointer to where diesel power is going.
This is a car that will amaze your friends when chatting over a pint about 60 mile per gallon sports hatches. They won't believe a word of it - and that just shows who the mugs are.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 206 GTi HDi
Price: £13,770
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 9.8 secs
Combined mpg: 58.9
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 126g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust, 6yrs paint