Peugeot presented the new generation 208 to us last year at the Geneva Motor Show. The launch of this car in the Czech Republic took place last November. And now we had the opportunity to try it in our editorial test.
At first glance, it is clear that this is a car that proudly continues the current spirit of the Peugeot car company and thus offers a very attractive and original treatment of both the exterior and the interior.
The version with the highest GT Line equipment, turbocharged gasoline three-cylinder and manual six-speed transmission has currently passed the editorial test.
He definitely does not lack ferocity and dynamism
The new exterior design, which brought considerable originality and dynamic style to Peugeot cars, also fits the new generation of the 208 model very well .
Let's start with the front part, the one in the tested top GT Line equipment, has a similar light signature, which is also offered by the 508 model. The "three claws" make the car clearly recognizable and quite stylish. The front dynamic part is further dominated by a voluminous mask extending deep into the front bumper.
The side profile is impressive, considering the car's proportions, with a fairly long hood, which pushes the space for the crew more towards the rear of the car. This part is further dominated by a pair of prominent moldings, or a plaque with the marking of the equipment on the "crest" column. Another handsome element that completes the overall impression of the car are the black lacquered rims. This contrasting black paintwork also appears on other parts of the car. Mostly on the rear part.
It must not be missing the lights, which again have a typical light signature for the car. The taillights are effectively connected to each other and create one continuous horizontal element, which, thanks to the already announced black paintwork, effectively contrasts with the color of the car itself. A large part of the rear bumper is then painted black, or the rather bulky rear door lollipop.
The new generation of Peugeot 208 is difficult to fault in terms of external design. Its external shapes are elegant, quite robust and yet dynamic. Following the example of the 508 model, it offers many interesting details that make it quite original .
An interior full of imagination
The interior of the new generation of Peugeot 208 is original, imaginative and applies the i-Cockpit principle according to the current trends of the car manufacturer. In addition, the "28th" has taken this principle to a higher level and offers the i-Cockpit in a three-dimensional design.
The dashboard has clear horizontal proportions, which, for example, are significantly more playful and articulated compared to the "five-eighth". The central motif continues to be the on-board infotainment display, which offers a diagonal of 5, 7 and 10″. The display, through which many of the car's functions are controlled, then has a fairly familiar environment and graphics.
Under the infotainment display itself, there are both purely touch and mechanical controls. Their centralization and fairly discreet treatment frees up space for other elements on the dashboard, such as a flip-up box that has space for your mobile phone. The door of the box practically tilts towards you to a horizontal position, after it is folded out, the size of the storage space increases pleasantly. On the sides of this box there are ports for classic USB and USB-C.
The space between the seats offered two drink holders, a controller for the electronic handbrake and a controller for selecting driving modes, as well as an armrest and a classic manual transmission selector. It has fairly accurate, but unfortunately somewhat longer shifting paths.
The instrument compartment in front of the driver is a separate chapter. Traditionally, this is raised above the small and flattened multi-function steering wheel in accordance with the I-Cockpit principle. However, Peugeot is coming up with something new and has given the small 208 a chapel that has a 3D graphic treatise. Information about the car and driving is then displayed in 2 levels according to importance and priority. You can then personalize the displayed data as you wish. The 3D i-Cockpit and its functioning are difficult to describe, let alone photograph, but my feelings about it are only positive as a result.
The processing of the individual elements of the interior is at a high-quality level, unfortunately the hard plastics of the side panels of the doors were a slight disappointment for me. Rather than their hardness, I was actually bothered by how they resonated when listening to music louder. And that the equipment in the tested 208 "played" very decently.
The interior space of the 208 is intended mainly for the crew in the front positions, there are spacious and comfortable seats with lateral guidance. In the rear positions, it's noticeably worse. Taller figures will have a problem here, both in the knee area and overhead.
The luggage compartment offers a decent 309 liters of volume and good access.
The resulting evaluation of the ergonomics of the i-Cockpit is still purely subjective, but for me it is very satisfactory. The interior goes hand in hand with the exterior and is timeless and definitely pleasing. If I forget the sometimes resonant door fillings, I have to evaluate the interior of the new 208 positively again.
Engines offered
The new "two-eighth" is available with three petrol engines and one diesel engine. Also new as a fully electrified version . The electrification of the new 208 is then possible thanks to the new platform on which the car currently stands. This version should then arrive on the Czech market during this year. Petrol engines are represented by a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a volume of 1.2 liters available in three power variants (75, 100 and 130 hp). The diesel 1.5 BlueHdi variant will also offer 100 horsepower.
The 75 kW, 100 hp gasoline engine has currently passed our editorial test. 100 hp of power and 205 Nm of torque with the "two hundred and eight" works quite well, so this power unit is more than adequate for the car in terms of performance. Although its three-cylinder operation is clearly visible, it is still refined.
The combination of this engine and the six-speed manual also works very well. Not only this motorization, but also the entire car handles highway speeds with the sixth gear engaged with great overview.
The tested piece also had a drive mode selector. Traditionally, these were Eco, Normal and Sport modes. The sports mode then noticeably enlivens the car, adding stiffer steering and a more substantial sound. I admit that I ended up driving quite often with the sports mode on. The more dynamic position, with which the "two hundred and eight" does not have the slightest problem, suited me, also thanks to the relatively firmer chassis.
Dynamic driving throws the car's consumption above the seven-litre mark, while at a leisurely pace you will move around six litres.
In conclusion
The new Peugeot 208 is offered in the basic LIKE trim at a special price from CZK 295,000 including VAT, followed by the ACTIVE, ALLURE trim and the GT LINE trim I tested, which you can buy with a 100 hp three-cylinder gasoline engine and a six-speed manual from CZK 445,000 including VAT. The most powerful petrol (130 hp) with an eight-speed automatic can be purchased from CZK 525,000 including VAT.
As a result, I evaluate the new generation Peugeot 208 positively, it is a handsome and dynamic car that offers an imaginative interior and very good driving characteristics. The new Peugeot 208 is simply a car that you will enjoy driving.
Hopefully it will not meet a similar fate as the 508 model, which, apparently thanks to the higher purchase price, is needlessly scarce on the streets.
