We’ve got bad news is you wanted to hear something different about the 208 now that it’s been officially unveiled than yesterday when it was leaked: we still love it, and that might sound strange coming from a bunch who loves V12s.
You see, it’s a general consensus that small European hatches are cool car and you don’t have to be a big girl’s blouse to drive one. But in recent years, Peugeot has fallen off the ball with really strange and unremarkable designs, like the 308 and its back end, and the 3008. Steadily but surely, their compact hatches have become not so compact and their nippy engines were replaced with slow-responding diesels.
Now, a veritable successor to the 205 has arrived on the scene in the form of the he 208, which is smaller and lighter than the 207 which preceded it. The supermini will be sold in two distinct body styles three- and five-door, and looking over the design there’s room for a semi-convertible that uses the same sort of layout as the 500C, should Peugeot ever decide to make such a car instead of the usual CC.
Amazingly, the 208 is lighter by an impressive 110 kg on average than the 207, but Peugeot says this can be as much as 173 kg in some cases. It’s impressive to think that in the age of cars that are forever growing, the French decided to make something that only weighs from 975 kg.
It’s also going to be one of the best looking cars in its class when it arrives next year, right up there with the Citroen DS3. Key aesthetic elements that make it so great include the floating grille, Peugeot’s refreshed headlights and a curvaceous profile with plenty of character. The two body styles have been given entirely different treatments, with the style of the quarter panel of the three-door version recalling one of the 208’s predecessors.
Inside, the instruments and controls have been de-cluttered and are now centered around the steering wheel, which is elegantly small. Don’t expect this to handle like a MINI Cooper, as French cars are more geared towards comfort, but Peugeot says the 208 strikes a fine balance and is also agile and nippy.
"The 208 is a new illustration of the Marque’s project launched two years ago, representing a new stage in Peugeot's desire to drive itself towards ever greater modernity," said Xavier Peugeot, Marketing and Communication Director, Automobiles Peugeot.
"With the 208, Peugeot has given itself the means to recreate an icon," added Laurent Blanchet, Product Range Director, Automobiles Peugeot.
Now, a veritable successor to the 205 has arrived on the scene in the form of the he 208, which is smaller and lighter than the 207 which preceded it. The supermini will be sold in two distinct body styles three- and five-door, and looking over the design there’s room for a semi-convertible that uses the same sort of layout as the 500C, should Peugeot ever decide to make such a car instead of the usual CC.
Amazingly, the 208 is lighter by an impressive 110 kg on average than the 207, but Peugeot says this can be as much as 173 kg in some cases. It’s impressive to think that in the age of cars that are forever growing, the French decided to make something that only weighs from 975 kg.
It’s also going to be one of the best looking cars in its class when it arrives next year, right up there with the Citroen DS3. Key aesthetic elements that make it so great include the floating grille, Peugeot’s refreshed headlights and a curvaceous profile with plenty of character. The two body styles have been given entirely different treatments, with the style of the quarter panel of the three-door version recalling one of the 208’s predecessors.
Inside, the instruments and controls have been de-cluttered and are now centered around the steering wheel, which is elegantly small. Don’t expect this to handle like a MINI Cooper, as French cars are more geared towards comfort, but Peugeot says the 208 strikes a fine balance and is also agile and nippy.
"The 208 is a new illustration of the Marque’s project launched two years ago, representing a new stage in Peugeot's desire to drive itself towards ever greater modernity," said Xavier Peugeot, Marketing and Communication Director, Automobiles Peugeot.
"With the 208, Peugeot has given itself the means to recreate an icon," added Laurent Blanchet, Product Range Director, Automobiles Peugeot.
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