There's an old saying that the happiest day of a car enthusiast's life is the day that he buys his favourite car, but we beg to differ. The merriest days of a car lover's life are those he spends on it, taking it out for a spin on the long and winding roads, spending peaceful and contented (even intimate) moments with a lovely someone while listening to their favourite tunes, and perhaps even seeking innovative moments by using the boot space of the car to have a picnic on a sunny afternoon, enjoying the freedom of the moment and the light of life.

But such a life, unfortunately, has slipped through our very own clenched fists as high prices of COE snatch the dreams off car enthusiasts as the anticipation of embracing a once-resented car for the sake of living the "dream" draws closer. I was never the guy who appreciated French cuisine, French wine or even French cars for that matter. But considering that one could "lounge" in the extremely airy cabin of the latest facelifted 308 with a dram of scotch in hand, the pug is an attractive promise waiting to happen.

There's nothing worse than driving a dispirited automobile on a sunny afternoon out on the roads of sophisticated Singapore, swallowing the presence of ignorant drivers and endless opportunities for revulsion, whether it's overtaking the pesky pick-ups or taxi drivers. That's where the Peugeot 308 comes into play. The French pug, for some rhyme or reason, has a sweet desire that will evoke drivers with feelings of easy holiness and relaxing emotions.

Granted that the Peugeot 308 has never been a car that set pulses racing, don't be duped by its understated looks that sit more comfortably with the fairer sex. Since its induction in 2007, the 308 has been selling well worldwide, hitting well over 250,000 units in 2009. But it wasn't until last year when the facelifted model was showcased at Geneva Motor Show, clearly showing that the French marque knows how to enjoy a good thing.

Exterior

And they have somehow extended the "goodness" of the car from its sales to its looks too. Its new body styling and defined lines give the pug an upbeat and positive vibe without losing its French flair.

In fact, the marque's latest styling codes has been so consistent with the past generation that designing cars must be a matter of just sitting down and getting started for the designers. Peugeot has been steadily pumping out well-designed cars from its factory of late and it can be instantly recognised from models such as the luxurious 508 and the desirable RCZ.

Up front, the lines on the bonnet creases to the centre, leading your eyes from the A-pillars right to the huge lion emblem taking centre stage while headlamps are boldly stretched out with the accompaniment of inverted L-shaped LED daytime running lights positioned below them. The tweaks are somewhat subtle but do add some much-needed visual attention. The 308's elegant and classy lines are instantly endearing and it will certainly not age over generations of time.