The TV ad could be for supermodel Claudia Schiffer or the Citroën Xsara Car. But Citroën are paying for it, so it’s probably for the car!

I don’t know what height Claudia is in her bare feet, but to be a supermodel a primary requirement is that you be very tall. This requires rather large feet to keep your balance, so I’m sure she takes quite a large size shoe. Not so me. Mine are just a size 5.

So where exactly is this preamble leading?

Well, a small gripe really in a car so good it won an Irish Car of the Year award when first introduced here. It’s all to do with small foot pedals, which are a Citroën hallmark. With my smaller size shoe, it would have been a lot more comfortable if the pedals were larger. The clutch in particular. I found it hard to adjust to at first, but as they say, time is a great healer and by the end of the week we’d sized each other up pretty well.

The review car I drove was the ‘new look’ 5-door saloon version. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight as the car didn’t really set me on fire when we first met. But it DID grow on me, like the pedals, so when the time came I was quite reluctant to hand it back.

I guess you could say the new-look Xsara is as sleek as the supermodel who graces its bonnet in the ad - and as sculpted with a completely new front end design. I suppose because I’m a woman, I can get away with such sexist remarks. It’s certainly longer and wider than its predecessor with 15 inch wheels and a broader track, which enhances both its looks and handling. Its more up-market appearance is achieved with the new bonnet and wings, new headlights with integrated fog lamps, the new bumper and a wider grille which now sports a larger double chevron, adding to the strong brand identity.

And the new styling is completed with a more prominent Citroën rear badge, the newly designed instrument displays, and new high quality trim.

Additional equipment includes an updated petrol engine 110 bhp, 1.6i, 16V engine, and improved safety features. Safety features include a substantially strengthened body structure, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, as standard on all models; and four airbags (two front, two side) provide protection should an impact occur. ‘Guide me home’ headlamps which can be selected to stay for 60 seconds after the ignition is switched off, also come as standard throughout the range. Other features include an in-dash CD, remote control central locking, and electric front windows.

The velour upholstery looked and felt good, while the seats provided a high degree of comfort. I must say I found all the controls to be accessible and easy to use. I especially liked the gear shift, which suited me perfectly with my seat moved forward to reach the pedals in comfort. This is not always the case. But sometimes, it was a bit awkward finding second gear. Maybe it was the fact the car was very new.

Also good was the long travel before the clutch ‘bit’ which makes driving easier in traffic. And it handled every bit as well as it drove.

One more little gripe, though, was the reflection of the instrument binnacle off the windscreen when motoring in strong sunshine, and which was annoying.

On performance, the 1.4 VSX model will give approx 30.7 mpg or 9.2 litres on a combined cycle and can do the 0-62 mph trip in 12.7 seconds.