A more aggressive visage. A spruced-up interior. New wheels. An automatic gearbox. Turbo engines.
These were the highlights at the Peugeot 208 South African launch for 2016, the French automaker releasing the facelifted version of its B-segment hatchback to South African motorists. The tag line? “Awaken your inner energy”, which sounds like something exciting should be on the cards with the updated 208 range.
While I can’t exactly say I expressly dislike the Peugeot 208, it lost its appeal quickly for me after originally launching in 2012, and alongside its new 308 big sister, looked rather dated. The facelift is thus welcome, and although it’s quite subtle from a cosmetic standpoint, it has made the 208 stand out a bit more in my mind – thanks to some under-the-skin updates as well.
On the outside, it’s a bit cheekier and sportier, with a new front bumper, larger grille, LED “claw” motif tail lights and on some models, bigger and more striking alloy wheels. Impressively, you can now also order your 208 from the factory with textured paint – which looks like a ‘plastic dip’ and works very, very well with the car’s lines. Just don’t ever try and polish it.
Inside, Peugeot’s “i-Cockpit” – it’s just an interior – remains funky and very different from the norm, with notably good fit and finish, as well as high quality. In the new GT Line derivatives – which were the only versions available to drive on the launch – half leather upholstery and contrasting stitching is met by red design accents and a smart imprinted dashboard finish. Nothing feels cheap or like it’s about to fall off [claps].
Happily, the central touch screen infotainment system – largely the same as you’ll find in the 308 – continues to take a bit of a back seat, with conventional climate controls and other important functions still taken care of by buttons rather than a three-step finger-punching touch screen process – which can be annoying when all you want is to turn up the fan speed.
Under the skin, the biggest change is the addition of the new 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech turbo petrol engine in the new GT Line models, which replace the old 1.6 Allure versions. Having experienced this 2015 Engine of the Year award-winning motor in the 308 and more recently in the Citroën C4 Cactus, in the 208 it works exceptionally well.
It produces 81 kW and 205 Nm in the new GT Line models, and is claimed to sip just 4.5-litres per 100 km. The tax-dodging carbon emissions are just 103 g/km in the 5-speed manual GT Line, and 104 g/km in the new auto. The new 208 GT Line automatic features a very slick and very smooth new 6-speed automatic gearbox – and matches the manual’s fuel economy exactly, providing two more gears than the old 4-speed slushmatic as well. Impressive.
Comprising four refreshed models (no more GTi for now, which is undergoing price negotiations), the range now starts with the return of a familiar nameplate – the 208 Pop Art 1.0 PureTech comes in at R159 900. It replaces the old 1.0 Access, and is powered by a 50 kW/ 95 Nm normally-aspirated 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, and features decent specification for the money. Air con, electric front windows, the “claw” LED tail lights, halogen daytime running lights, ABS, EBD, EBA, dual airbags, central locking with auto-locking doors and an audio system are all standard. That’s a lot of car, and Peugeot aims it squarely at the likes of the Toyota Etios, Ford Figo and VW Polo Vivo.
For R209 900, the new Peugeot 208 Active 1.2 PureTech ups the ante with a 60 kW/ 118 Nm normally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine, along with 15-inch alloys, full colour coding, electric mirrors, HID headlights with LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, an extra two airbags, cruise control with a speed limiter, rear electric windows, USB, aux and Bluetooth functionality, a multi-function ‘wheel and the 7-inch touch screen infotainment system.
The two new Peugeot 208 GT Line 1.2 PureTech Turbo models – at R269 900 for the manual and R289 900 for the auto (gulp) – add a decent dose of class with the likes of the turbocharged engine, contrasting detailing including red grille slats and a very cool red ‘flake’ in the attractive 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, cornering fog lights, a total of six airbags, automatic lights and wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, dual-zone climate control and half-leather upholstery with a leather gear lever and steering wheel to match.
They’ve clearly crammed quite a bit of kit into these cars and while the prices do seem a bit high – on the GT Line models especially – they do include a 5-year/ 60 000 full maintenance plan. Even on the Pop Art!
The question is, though, whether or not this cute little Frenchie got my fizzy bits fizzing. The short answer is yes, a little. It wasn’t bad, and the turbo engine works particularly well with the automatic transmission. Road holding was especially good, and there is just something special about that small, chunky steering wheel and the way it has to be positioned low-down so you can see the dials properly – it really makes the 208 (and 308) fun to drive.
Peugeot says that in South Africa the 208 forms a minimum of 50 per cent of their overall volume, and the question I asked after driving the new version was, “will this get any better”? I think it might, and the Pop Art is going to be a big role-player in that increase if you ask me. It’s being launched with a R1 999 per month finance deal, which will help.
As for the likes of the GT Line models? Well, while they do pack a lot of punch in many ways and the design elements are cool, for R10 000 more than the manual you could get a new Peugeot 308 1.2 Active, with the same turbo engine and a lot more space. And, for exactly the same price as the automatic 208 you can buy the range-topping Citroën C4 Cactus, with the same turbo engine, almost the same level of specification, and you’ll look and feel a lot cooler in one of those.
The same people get your money, but you get something rather a bit more special.
Range overview
Peugeot 208 Pop Art 1.0 PureTech R159 900
Peugeot 208 Active 1.2 PureTech R209 900
Peugeot GT Line 1.2 PureTech Turbo R269 900
Peugeot GT Line 1.2 PureTech Turbo Auto R289 900
Pricing includes a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and 5-year/ 60 000 km Premium Plan.
