THEY say a near-death experience gives you a new love of life. No wonder Peugeot, reinvigourated thanks to a £2.1bn cash injection from Chinese automaker Dongfeng and the French government, is positively bursting with joie de vivre.

You can see renewed confidence in the bold new look adopted on Peugeot’s latest models which represent a clean break from the previous generation.

Gone are the Cyrano de Bergerac-alike noses and the controversial bisected grilles, which made every car look as though it had swallowed a giant Frisbee, replaced by an aggressive new snout, modern LED light clusters and a new version of the famous Peugeot lion badge.

For 2015, all these changes (and more) have been applied to the facelifted 208.

Peugeot’s best-selling car (32,000 sales in the UK alone last year) receives a new front bumper, a wider grille with an integrated chrome surround, LED running lights and (on Allure models) fog lights which swivel to improve through-the-corner visibility at night.

Naturally, there are dozens of options including new 16 and 17-inch alloy wheel designs, a unique ‘textured’ exterior paint finish, sports seats with contrasting stitching, coloured door handles, dashboard surrounds and air vent finishers.

And that’s only the stuff you can see. The really clever technology lies beneath the body.

ON THE ROAD: Peugeot is particularly pleased with its new PureTech engine range - the result of eight years’ accumulated knowledge of direct injection turbo engines (and seven international ‘Engine of the Year’ awards), the blood ‘n sweat of 250 engineers and the small matter of several hundred million Euros.

As a result of this not-inconsiderable investment Peugeot reckons the 1.2 PureTech turbo has comparable performance to a 1.6 with the fuel economy of a 1.0-litre.

How has it done this?

The PureTech engine block is fashioned from aluminium for faster warm up with cast iron liners for strength and there are three cylinders, not four, which reduces friction losses. To combat the inevitable vibration produced by a triple the flywheel is offset to act as a counter balance while a turbo helps boost mid-range torque for smoother acceleration. Squirting fuel directly into the combustion chamber makes the most of every precious drop - improving mpg and reducing exhaust emissions.

The 1.2 PureTech is a little gem with the smoothness and refinement you expect of a petrol allied to the low speed flexibility of a diesel. Although the red line is at 6,000rpm there’s little point exploring the upper limits because the engine’s maximum torque arrives so early (at just 1,500rpm). It’s easier, and more relaxing, to change up and ride the mid-range power.

Allied to the quick steering, decent grip and a comfortable ride, the nimble 208 is an enjoyable small car to fling about - a promising heir to the legendary 205.

It’s pretty nippy, too. The 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds makes it quicker than a Fiesta EcoBoost and a Corsa EcoTEC.

ON THE INSIDE: Available in three door and five door body styles, the 208 has a novel interior with room for two adults and three kids, or four adults. Headroom in the back is very good for a small hatchback.

The ‘head up’ instruments and dinky steering wheel was a radical - and controversial - move in 2012. Peugeot has persevered with the layout and I like it. Some critics claim the wheel, which is mounted lower than usual, blocks your view of the instruments but I have never had an issue and the small chunky wheel feels almost race-car like in your hands.

The 208’s analogue instrumentation eschews the modern fad for LCD panels and is therefore easier to read and likely to cost a lot less to fix when it goes wrong (forget replacing cables it’s not unusual for a failed digital cluster to cost hundreds of pounds to repair).

In the quest for simplicity Peugeot has moved some driver information from the main cluster to the multi-function colour touch-screen (standard on Active, Allure and GT Line models) which also incorporates the DAB digital radio tuner.

WHAT DO YOU GET: Our test car looked mighty fine in Orange Power metallic paintwork and gloss black alloys with matching black wing mirrors. More than one Peugeot fan asked if I was driving a GTi; it certainly looked very purposeful.

As for equipment, Peugeot is to be applauded for fitting DAB digital radio head units to all but the basic Access trim level, but the test car’s tuner had difficulty holding on to a strong signal in built-up areas. Obviously, your mileage will vary depending on your distance from the nearest transmitter.

The Allure trim level also has a rear parking aid, blacked out windows, chromed door mirrors (gloss black on the tester), automatic headlights, wipers and a dimming interior rear view mirror. Rear electric windows are, however, a cost option.

Range topping GT Line models throw in automatic dual zone air conditioning, aluminium pedals, sill finishers, sports seats and body add-ons which make it look even sportier.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT?

The 285-litre boot can be increased by flipping the rear seat backs (they split 60:40) expanding it to 1,152 litres, which is better than a Fiesta or a Polo.

Up front the 208 wins points for its big door bins, which are easily large enough to swallow a bottle of water, but the glovebox is a bit stingy (it houses the fuse box which hasn’t been moved on right hand drive cars).

RUNNING COSTS: You should take the official 62mpg fuel consumption figure with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, the 208 will still have you smiling all the way to the petrol station.

Our barely run-in tester achieved almost 50mpg - an excellent result considering the nippy performance and my leaden right foot.

The 103g/km exhaust emissions mean you’ll only pay £20 a year for your road tax, too.

Peugeot offers a range of very reasonable monthly fixed price servicing plans.

VERDICT: Good-looking, nippy and nimble - the 208 slays the ghost of the 205 to take the mantle as Peugeot’s best small hatchback to date.

The 2015 facelift makes it look racier than ever and the PureTech engines back that up with real pace and none of the usual high running costs.

It may have gone through the wringer in the past couple of years but Peugeot has got its mojo back. If the Allure is any indicator, the GTi version promises to be a little cracker.

Price: £16,095.

SPEC: Engine: 1199cc/3-cylinder petrol turbo Max power: 110bhp @ 5500rpm Max torque: 205 Nm @ 1500rpm Top speed: 118mph 0-62mph: 9.6 seconds Fuel consumption: 62.8mpg (official combined) CO2: 103g/km VED: First year - zero/£20 thereafter.