Since its launch in 2012, the Peugeot 208 has dramatically improved its French brand’s proposition in the supermini sector - but time moves on.

Since its original introduction, just about every key rival has been either refreshed or re-launched.

Hence the need for this smarter, cleverer and more efficient facelifted version.

It’s a small car with very big ideas.

Peugeot has tried to make this 208’s styling a bit more assertive and distinctive.

The restyled front bumper creates a sharper and more precise line, with a wider grille and deeper chrome finisher that is now fully integrated.

Plus most models get two-tone headlamps, with black and chrome masks and a hi-tech LED light signature.

One issue still tends to dominate your thinking the first time you get into this 208 and drive off.

Namely the smallest steering wheel you’ll find this side of a supercar.

A potential problem, you might think, given that in most vehicles, you view the instrument cluster through the wheel.

Here though, you don’t have to for the instrument pack has been moved to sit up above the wheel as it would do in, say, an MPV.

On the road, this car feels light on its feet thanks to a programme of weight-saving that has especially benefitted entry-level variants equipped with the marque’s clever three cylinder PureTech petrol engine.

This powerplant may only be able to draw on either 68 or 82 braked horses, depending on whether you order it as a 1.0-litre or a 1.2, but that’s still enough to throw the car up the road with some alacrity, rest to sixty in the 1.2 detaining you for only 12.2s.

If you need more power, there’s also a 1.2-litre turbocharged PureTech petrol option developing 110bhp.

So the 208 has evolved - but not beyond recognition.

The engine line-up is now fully - rather than only partly - hi-tech and it’s hard to make a bad powerplant choice any more, regardless of your fuel preference.

The personalisation and fresh tech options are welcome too.

Otherwise though, this car is much as it was before.