How about a Peugeot 106, for a change? French cars always merit a second look, and a tidy little number like this one definitely deserves a spot in our schedule.

The “Kid” edition probably only really adds jazzy seat cloth, as always, but the base 106 should still be a hoot to drive.

In this one, you got the 1124cc TU engine, fuel injected but producing only 59hp. But it’s a light car, and it can probably be caned into the corners with required vigour. Note, if you will, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires.

The 106 appeared kind of shrunken-306-like, and it was a bit smaller than the 205 it “replaced”. Yeah, you could get a 205 in some markets for most of the ’90s, basically because it was too legit to quit.

Black bumpers are the way to go with small French hatchbacks.

You could get the 106 with a wide variety of engines and specifications, including diesels and peppy 1.4 petrols, with the hottest specs being the 1.3 Rallye and the 1.6 GTi. Like the 205 XS, the 106 XSi was a budget sports version.

The 106 endured a mid-life facelift and exited stage in 2004, replaced by the Toyota-based 107 and the sliding door 1007. The latter of which unsuitable for purchase by anyone in their full mind, of course.

[Images: Copyright 2014 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]