The 208 is one of Peugeot’s biggest hits and the new model only adds to its appeal writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? Fresh and fun Peugeot’s newest 208 is a great choice for those that need a small car with chic styling.
First impressions of the new Peugeot 208? From the outside little has changed, but the 208 has always looked stylish and there are new bumpers in the front and back, a larger grille and some very smart led lights at the rear. There are also funky paint options so if you want to get those curtains twitching vibrant ‘Orange Power’ metallic paint is the one to go for!
What about the interior? French flair meets practicality and inside it is fun and bold; the seats are beautifully bolstered and supportive. There are also plenty of storage options to keep most happy and a seven-inch touchscreen that allows you to access audio, satnav, phone and internet will be standard from the entry level trim. And just because you drive a small car doesn’t mean you’re a stranger to flat-pack furniture, garden centres and moonlight flits so very conveniently by simply dropping the rear seats there is space for 1,076 litres.
And on the road? On the road, the 208 feels compact and confident but while it grips the road nicely there is considerably more roll on tight corners than many rivals and the five-speed gearbox makes hard work of steep climbs. The smaller than normal steering wheel adds to the overall sportiness but depending on your driving position the rim can end up completely obscuring some vital dials.
How Much? Prices and spec details will be confirmed closer to the 208’s Irish launch in July, but as before, the new hatchback will be sold in three and five-door versions with three trim levels: Access, Active and Allure. With a choice of petrol engines that return pretty impressive consumption figures, you may even bypass the diesel versions but we’d recommend the 1.6-litre (75bhp) one for astonishing fuel economy!
How Safe? The 208 ticks the boxes with six airbags, stability control and a host of other safety features to keep you on the road. The addition of the Active City Brake, a safety feature that prevents low speed crashes is a great plus, especially since the 208 is likely to spend most of its time in city traffic.
What about my options? A new GT line joins the range and adds some lovely touches such as gloss black grille, separate front foglamps, 17-inch alloys and red Peugeot lettering but opt for the ‘GTi by Peugeot Sport’ for the ultimate track ready version with lowered height and 18-inch wheels.
3 words to describe the Peugeot 208? Cool; Efficient; Spacious
For more information check out peugeot.ie, the Peugeot Ireland Facebook page or follow them on twitter here
Geraldine Herbert
3rd June, 2015
