Peugeot 108 – a small playful companion

Peugeot has been producing cars for over a century and has offered models of all shapes and sizes throughout its existence. However, the brand's smallest models have been the most sought-after ever since the Peugeot 205, which was a milestone in the small car market.

When Peugeot/Citröen teamed up with Toyota to launch the 107, C1 and Aygo in 2005, it was clear that more fun and affordable cars were born.

These smallest models were a hit in Western Europe, and almost ten years after their introduction, PSA and Toyota came up with a completely new trio that no longer follows the original philosophy and that have now "grown up" a bit. Maybe Toyota's Aygo is a little playful mini with its samurai lines, but both the C1 and 108 look closer to a serious small family car.

The Peugeot 108 was launched in July 2014. Buyers could choose between 1.0 and 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engines with a volume of 68 and 82 horsepower, respectively. This time there was no diesel engine option. Both were equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, with the 1.0-liter Toyota (VVTi) unit offered with a robotic transmission called 2-Tronic. The 1.2-liter engine originates from Peugeot and has the designation PureTech.

There was a choice of three or five doors and either a classic hardtop or an optional electric folding fabric roof called the "108 Top". Roland Garros special editions arrived in May 2015, June 2016 and August 2017, and in June 2016 a new GT-Line trim level was added.

In May 2018, new color options were offered and the only available 1.0-liter engine with power increased to 72 hp. Here in Slovakia, the 108 was officially sold for a very short time, as it was priced competitively with the 208 model . Slovak customers therefore preferred a larger platform in 99% of cases.

The appearance of the 108 belongs to the new decent line of Peugeots, which was established by the 308 II models . The clean lines of the front part with headlights divided by a "prominence" are, as it were, a smaller version of their big brother.

At the front, one large wiper with a double arm still attracts attention. The side silhouette is a bit atypical and is given by the platform on which it stands. The rear part is dominated by the large trunk door glass on which there is a handle and the Peugeot logo. The opening is somewhat unfortunately solved by a button in the bumper and is one of the bad things that the manufacturers did not learn from the previous generation.

In this category of cars, the front headlights are somewhat oddly chosen projectors with a variable aperture for switching the high beams. The LED strip of parking lights in the main light provides an unmistakable light signature. As well as the rear, dominated by a pair of taillights with a "cat's claw" graphic.

The interior, which is also unified for the Aygo and C1, is on the contrary very playful, and the middle panel is a design fad with wonderfully shaped air conditioning controls in the highest equipment. Round vents together with colorful frames complete the stylish look. The infotainment touchscreen in the upper part has a high resolution, MirrorScreen support, Apple CarPlay and you can update it yourself using a USB key. In higher equipment, it is also possible to have a rear parking camera or navigation.

The quality of workmanship is excellent considering the focus and price of the car. The exposed metal parts on the doors and some plastics are of course and look cheap, but other things such as controls, levers, buttons, displays are at the level of a higher car class. There is plenty of storage space considering the size of the car. You can put the small PETs in the door and the larger one between the seats. The glove box in front of the passenger is rather symbolic and in the sense of veteran tactics = for the manual and gloves.

The seats are "sporty" with an integrated headrest, a removable cover, and a person of "standard height" can easily sit behind himself. There is enough space for children in the back and ISO-FIX mounts are on both seats. They are each individually foldable, so you can expand a small suitcase with a volume of around 160L into a small van.

The basic equipment includes, in this category, 6 airbags, a TPMS tire pressure monitoring system, ESP + ASR + Hill Start Assist, radio with MP3 + Hands-free Bluetooth. You can find such equipment in the extra price lists of cars in the lower middle class even today quite normally.

The 1.0-liter engine is good for city traffic and for the occasional trip through districts outside the city, but if you drive more often on the highway, it is better to reach for a more powerful unit with a volume of 1.2-liter, which offers higher performance and more refined operation without a penalty for consumption. It moves around 5L with both engines and normal driving. The great thing is that you can trouble him as much as you want and you won't get over 6.5L.

The manual gearbox is precise and the sixth gear is absolutely not missing from the high-revving three-cylinder. The 2-Tronic transmission takes some getting used to, but once you do, you'll probably love it. It can shift with a soft intermediate gas, it simulates the automatic shift on the unit like a classic automatic with a hydro-changer, and most importantly – it has small playful paddles under the steering wheel that will replace manual shifting.

The chassis is rigid and will hold the small car well beyond the driver's courage even in corners. Unlike the previous generation, it is much less jumpy and better dampens transverse unevenness, even on standard 15" inch discs. On winter 14" with size 165/55, it looks like skates.

However, it is still a small go-kart with wheels in the corners of the body and minimal overhangs to increase the interior space. The only tax for a great position on the road is a larger turning radius than should belong to such a small car. However, it is easy to park, mainly thanks to its length and ideal view.

Peugeot 108 is a small stylish adult, which does not play a higher class but can fully represent the second car in the family. It is an ideal shopping bag for young people, for wives, for grandmothers, for people who need a small but playful and reliable car with low consumption.

I have been "testing" the model 108, year 2015, 1.0-VTi with the 2-Tronic robotized transmission on my wife for a long time. Whenever I can, I very much like to switch from my cumbersome diesel station wagon to a small 108, switch to manual transmission and sweep the corners of the countryside and the big city in a brisk style with a smile on my face.

This car is one small-big stylish optimistic box…

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