Peugeot 208 GTI needs no introduction. It is the performance version of the familiar hatchback and it is renowned as being possibly the best hot-hatch on the road.

But now we have the 208 XY, which is a posh alternative to the GTI. Maybe the arrival of MINI and Vauxhall Adam has persuaded Peugeot that there is a call for a luxury version of the 208?

Most, it seems, come in purple. Night Purple to be precise, a colour which certainly gives the car a luxury touch. In fact, purple is a subtle theme running through this particular car with colour touches on the logo and wheels. Chrome also features heavily.

The XY is only a three-door, which is a shame. I’d imagine a five-door would do rather well, but Peugeot believe luxury hatch drivers prefer the sportier three-door model.

So, what exactly do you get? Well, 208 is a good car. It is well priced and well built.

Most of the touches on the XY are designed to give it a little more class.

The 208 is the latest in a line of models stretching back to the much-loved 205. The 208 is bigger than its predecessors and goes a long way to recreating the charm of the 205, something that was diluted with the 206 and 207.

It’s only a little bit bigger – a modest 7cm in length which translates to a useful increase in rear seat room, but it is much lighter than the 207 2 which means better economy.

The GTI is respected but Peugeot believe there is demand for a luxury model. Perhaps it will be popular with women, but men may like it too. Not all men want the grunt and firmness of the GTI.

The interior of the car, for me, is the highlight. The materials and appearance are ‘tied’ together with purple overstitching. A chrome embellishment covers the door trims, vents and the side decorations of the screen.

The seats are trimmed in cloth and Alcantara. At the driver’s feet, the aluminium pedal bracket and footrest are accompanied by luxury mats, edged with bronze cord overstitched in purple.

It features sporty, perforated full grain leather on the unusually small steering wheel, which gives the whole car a sporty feel.

It also has a panoramic glass roof with ambiance backlighting, dual zone automatic air conditioning, speed limiter/cruise control and armrest for the front seats incorporating storage space, the list is extensive and the environment luxurious. If the GTi is just a little too brusque, maybe XY will fit the bill.

Peugeot 208 XY 3-door 1.6 e-HDi 115

PRICE: £18,045. XY starts at £16,550. 208 starts at £9,995
ENGINE: a 1,560cc, four cylinder unit generating 115bhp via six-speed transmission
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 118mph and 0 to 60mph in 9.7 seconds
COSTS: town 61.4mpg; country 83.1mpg; combined 74.3mpg
EMISSIONS: 99g/km
INSURANCE: Group 20A
WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles