Review Peugeot 208 5D 1.2 – French elegance

A fan of French Peugeot cars is certainly familiar with the highly successful 205 and 206 models. However, the later successor with the designation 207 was not as successful and could not bring a smile to the owners' faces, as was the case with its predecessors. This week, however, the youngest member of the family of small Peugeots arrived in our editorial garage, bearing the number 208 on its back. We tested the version with a five-door body, a three-cylinder 1200 and the Allure equipment level.

At the start of sales of the new 208 model (in the Czech Republic on May 10, 2012), the car company's management stated that the new 208 should follow on from the pleasing and, for some, still unattractive appearance of the 206 model. with slight variations for almost 14 years. Therefore, the latest model has once again received nicely rounded shapes and a pleasant expression that really suits it.

Exterior

The tested Peugeot 208 1.2 is in the wonderful body color Blossom Grey . When you take a closer look at the car, it is immediately clear that Peugeot has bet on a completely different design card than the predecessor 207. With its dimensions, the car tries to compete with the domestic Skoda Fabia or the previously tested Hyundai i20 . Perhaps the most important fact, however, is that the car has not gained weight compared to previous generations.

The new " two-hundred-and-eight " will mainly attract the attention of the front mask, which is complemented by effective chrome strips. The headlights are slightly extended to the sides and in their upper part there are LEDs for daytime running lights. The entire front end has been given a similar expression to that of the executive sedan and station wagon 508. From the side view, the 208 does not differ that much from its predecessor. However, when I look at the rear, I can't help but feel that we have a direct successor to the two-generation older model 206. My impression is mainly supported by the overall design of the rear trunk lid and the integrated rear lights. They are the ones that will interest almost everyone, as I personally saw in normal operation.

Interior and equipment

In the interior, I was surprised by the modern curves and enough transverse and longitudinal space in the front part of the cabin. The sporty-looking seats are also a surprise, and thanks to the more pronounced sidewalls, they provide sufficient support for the body in turns and are pleasantly hard at the same time. With my height of 182 centimeters, I had no problem finding the ideal longitudinal and height adjustment of the seat, and I am not opposed to the idea of staying longer behind the wheel. There is plenty of legroom for rear-seat passengers, but passengers taller than 175 centimeters will struggle with limited headroom. But nobody will complain about the luggage space . Its basic volume of 311 and after folding the rear seats up to 1152 liters is excellent within the segment.

When looking at the modern dashboard, the atypically shaped steering wheel rim , which is rather small and flattened by usual standards, catches the eye. On the other hand, it holds excellently and its advantage is the possibility of adjustment in two axes. You will also be pleased to see the simple center console, which was limited to only the original climate control and the large display of the multimedia center.

The tested model received the Allure equipment level , which has a really wide range of comfortable and practical elements. In the upper part of the center console, the aforementioned multifunctional screen found its place, with relatively precise touch controls and a Bluetooth system. There are also six airbags , automatic air conditioning, automatic door locking when the speed exceeds 20 km/h, LED reading lights in the ceiling, a rain sensor, cruise control, or a stabilization system. For a small hatchback, there are quite a few things here.

Engine and ride

Under the hood of the car we tested is the second weakest engine on offer, a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine. That car starts from 0-100 km/h in 12.2 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 175 km/h. The unit has an output of 60 kW at 5750 revolutions, a torque of 118 Nm at 2750 revolutions and cooperates with a five-speed manual gearbox. Gear shifting has finally received a slightly more accurate setting, but there is still room for improvement compared to the competition. Power and torque are sufficient for the 1150 kg Peugeot 208 , especially for driving in the city and in the countryside. However, if you often drive longer routes and use highways a lot, it would be better to go for a more powerful, preferably diesel engine. The tested 1200 feels right at home in the city. The peak of the torque in the middle of the maximum power spectrum directly encourages you to engage the triple and nimbly weave through the tangled streets of our metropolis. Paradoxically, you will appreciate the overpowered steering here.

The small Peugeot does not allow itself to be derailed by any pothole in normal traffic and still maintains the natural driving comfort of its brand. It's quite fun to drive on county roads thanks to its agility and overall dimensions, but I would appreciate a power steering with variable efficiency and a completely switchable ESP (the system automatically turns on after exceeding 50 km/h). I was surprised by the performance of the car in corners and the acceptable inclination of the body. The natural understeer of the front-wheel drive concept reaches its limit. However, the overall behavior of the car informs about the arrival of dangerous situations well in advance.

I give great praise to the engine for its low fuel consumption. I didn't always drive in an overly fuel-efficient style during the test week, and yet the combined consumption was between 5.9-6.4L/100km. In case of quiet driving, the consumption even fell below 5 l/100 km. Economy-minded drivers will also appreciate the indicator of the appropriate gear on the on-board computer.

Resume

I liked the new Peugeot 208 as soon as it was introduced to the Czech market, and the test week strengthened my positive relationship with French brands. In terms of driving, the car can be criticized for overpowered steering and less accurate shifting, but all minor mistakes are compensated by the main currency of the tested engine – fuel consumption. The overall design of the small hatchback may not appeal to everyone, but the young and promising generation of male and female drivers should not overlook the Peugeot 208 in the flood of similar models!