THE Peugeot 406 is to motoring what Madonna is to the music business.
Both are getting on a wee bit compared to the competition, but they still have what it takes to make an impact.
The gadget-packed 406 is also exceptional value for money. As I drove the sleek model along efficient French motorways in scorching sunshine, the on the road price of £16,700 looked a bit of a steal - especially with numerous tasty titbits spicing up the cabin in the two-litre SE saloon.
No, Peugeot didn't supply some scantily clad supermodels off the Riviera (the wife wouldn't allow it, and anyway it wouldn't sway my judgement of the car - much). Rather I refer to the satellite navigation, six CD autochanger, cruise control and top notch air conditioning system included as standard.
Normally this level of extravagance is the preserve of the Koreans, but hats off to Peugeot for realising that for some of us, having lots of buttons to press for no extra cost is a top attraction.
During my 2,000 mile odyssey through France the weather was hotter than Nell McAndrew reading her hotmail in a hot tub eating a hot cross bun, so the car's climate control was vital. I don't think we could have survived through the old technique of winding down the windows as the baking breeze simply made you sweat more.
The downside occurred emerging from a chilled atmosphere to a sun-baked 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It was similar to the breathtaking effect the credit card bill had on my return to Blighty.
Cruise control also came into its own on my trip down the highways and toll motorways of France.
Having a country more than twice the size of the UK with the same population means traffic heaven for yours truly. There's actually room on the roads to employ cruise control as the designers intended. Set your speed then forget about it for an hour or two. In Britain you're lucky to reach the next junction before you have to avoid a road hog or cope with the next set of contraflows.
The car's other features include automatic rain sensing front wipers and automatic headlamps - handy for the many tunnels our Gallic friends insist you light up for. There is a heat reflective windscreen, front and side air bags, 16-inch alloy wheels plus electric front and rear windows.
The car is also a joy to drive. The two-litre diesel engine is punchy. I'm sure the official 0-62mph time of 12.5 seconds is a mistake as the car gives the impression it is more fleet of foot than that.
It also uses fuel like an alcoholic uses tea bags. The 50mpg official combined figure is on the conservative side as I frequently achieved more than this. With diesel (and wine) in France also sold at ridiculously cheap prices, I'm surprised I bothered to return home.
Peugeot also offer a 2.2 diesel power unit as well as 1.8 and two-litre petrol engines.
Coupled with an impressive power unit the ride on the 406 is smoother than a billiard table. This is a car that refuses to roll in corners. It stays so level Bob the Builder could lay bricks on it. Stopping is taken care of through the initials ABS with EBFD and EBA which basically mean you can brake quickly and safely.
The interior has recently received a bit of spit and polish with new aluminium finish on the central fascia. The dashboard also gets the makeover treatment with the introduction of a new five dial sports-style instrument display with aluminium surrounds.
The boot caters for a family-sized dollop of luggage with ease and there's plenty of head and leg room in the back for passengers.
The 406 has unsurprisingly proved popular with buyers offering a distinctive alternative to rivals from Ford and Vauxhall.
Much like Madonna, it's still in vogue.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 406 2.0HDi 110 SE
Price: £16,700
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual transmission
Max speed: 119mph
0-62mph: 12.5secs
Combined mpg: 50.4
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 147g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000miles; 12yrs anti-rust