FOR most blokes becoming a dad is one of the greatest moments of their lives.
The joy of bringing a new life into the world, the satisfaction of knowing the family will live on, the warm feeling the unconditional love of a child brings and, let's be honest, the affirmation of our virility that comes with fatherhood.
But then comes the realisation of the effect that this new life will have on that other great symbol of our testosterone levels - our car.
There's no room for baby seats in that smart little roadster and the miserly boot space in the beloved sports coupe won't hold the baby buggy, nappy bag, bottles, food, spare outfit and everything else that has to accompany you and your new addition every time you leave the house.
And then there is the lovely lady who bore this new life for you. She'll be whispering in your ear about having to drive much more carefully now that there is a little prince of princess on board.
So that's that then! No more fun behind the wheel for you. No more sporty little number that has all those adolescent boy racers turning green with envy.
Well, think again.
The Peugeot 308 SW Sport could be your saviour.
This is an estate car, with plenty of room for the family, but it has the looks and performance of a hatchback.
And Peugeot certainly knows a thing or two about the hot hatch.
Although Volkswagen Golf enthusiasts might dispute the point, you could argue that they started the phenomenon with the seminal 205 GTi back in the mid-1980s and have been flying the flag ever since.
All that tradition is brought to bear in the 308 SW Sport VTi 120.
An incredibly solid build and aerodynamic design not only mean the car looks good and sticks to the road like glue but the firm suspension means that is really good fun to drive too.
You needn't be afraid to throw it into the bends on those winding country lanes (probably not with the kids on board, though) and it'll respond smoothly and quickly when you ask it for a little extra on the motorway, while around town you will find it crisp and nimble.
The zippy feel is carried on with the car's looks.
The sports front grille on the VTi 120 mirrors that of it's hatchback stablemate and gives it the look of a muscle car when viewed from directly in front - as it would appear in the rear view mirror of other motorists!
And inside the cabin the hot hatch feel continues too with the interior design and facia panel from the hatchback model also being retained.
It will cost you an extra £1,350, but the RT4 multimedia system in my test car incorporated colour Sat Nav, GSM phone and MP3 music storage as well as the usual CD and radio functions.
In practical terms the high-spec Sat Nav will ensure that you always know where you are but, for the gadget freak in you too, it's just a really desirable piece if kit.
But what of the members of your clan less interested in how much poke or how many gadgets your motor boasts?
Well, ease off the gas a little and the VTi 120 becomes the perfect mild-mannered family estate.
There is plenty of rear leg room, the generous boot space (674 litres under the rear load cover) should cope with the weekly shop or the trip to the park with the fold away pram, trike, etc with equal ease and the low load sill and split tailgate are incredibly convenient for loading and unloading in a variety of circumstances.
You could even take grandma and grand-dad out for the day too with two optional third row seats (£495).
You'll lose much of the boot space with these fitted but they are more than capable of carrying your kids in the comfort to which they are accustomed while freeing up the rear for up to three extra adults.
This car truly can offer you all the fun of your coupe or hot hatch but with the added space and practicality to cope with your growing tribe.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 308 SW Sport VTi 120
Price: £17,495
Mechanical: 120bhp, 1,598cc 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 117mph
0-62mph: 12 seconds
Combined mpg: 39.7
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 169g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles