The Peugeot 208 was introduced back in 2012, the French brand's supermini offering that boasted a tantalising blend of stylish looks, quality interior and low running costs. Rivalling the likes of the Ford Fiesta, the Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo, the 208 proved to be a fun and stylish (and definitely slightly quirky) package.
When it first came to Singapore a year later in 2013, it was offered with a 1.6-litre e-Hdi diesel engine. Now, the facelifted 2016 Peugeot 208 has reached our shores, and under its bonnet resides a 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged engine.
Up close and Personal
The exterior has been lightly restyled, with a wider and bolder front grille and a more pronouncedc3D LED tail lamps. The car remains delightfully compact, encased in curvy sheet metal, and still exudes a playfulness that perfectly captures its inherent character.
The interior is a simple and straightforward affair. Monochromatic black with smatterings of chrome accents, it excudes an elegance within its simplicity. Even the infotainment system features just one knob and two buttons, and leaves the rest up to the 7.0-inch touchscreen, which also has the MirrorScreen system that directly mirrors your smartphone's screen.
Seats are on the firm side, and we personally aren't too high on the chequered fabric seat design, which, while visually interesting, isn't the most pleasant of surfaces. Like most superminis, the 208's leg and shoulder room in the rear are also tight and is best left for two Asian adults.
When it first came to Singapore a year later in 2013, it was offered with a 1.6-litre e-Hdi diesel engine. Now, the facelifted 2016 Peugeot 208 has reached our shores, and under its bonnet resides a 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged engine.
Up close and Personal
The exterior has been lightly restyled, with a wider and bolder front grille and a more pronouncedc3D LED tail lamps. The car remains delightfully compact, encased in curvy sheet metal, and still exudes a playfulness that perfectly captures its inherent character.
The interior is a simple and straightforward affair. Monochromatic black with smatterings of chrome accents, it excudes an elegance within its simplicity. Even the infotainment system features just one knob and two buttons, and leaves the rest up to the 7.0-inch touchscreen, which also has the MirrorScreen system that directly mirrors your smartphone's screen.
Seats are on the firm side, and we personally aren't too high on the chequered fabric seat design, which, while visually interesting, isn't the most pleasant of surfaces. Like most superminis, the 208's leg and shoulder room in the rear are also tight and is best left for two Asian adults.
The boot space is pretty reasonable for a supermini, clocking in at 285 litres, compared to the Ford Fiesta's 281 litres, the Mazda 2 Hatchback's 250 litres and the Volkswagen Polo's 280 litres.
One quirk that we did struggle with was the size of the steering wheel - it is weirdly small and can be rather disorientating.
The 208 has undergone a new dietry regime, and in a bid to lose weight, sound deadening has clearly suffered. The noise inside the cabin is significant - you hear everything from wind noise to the rattling of the tyres beneath you. Also, the sheet metal is noticeably hollow, and the doors slam shut with a sonorous thud. Additionally, the engine noise is quite harsh when you give it the beans.
There are perks to the 208's new weight-saving regime, though, and a fairly significant one at that - $15,000 to be exact. The car weighs in at 1,090kg, and its lightened weight helps the car to be light on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This allows it to qualify for the band A2 Carbon Emissions-Based Vehicle Scheme rebate.
One quirk that we did struggle with was the size of the steering wheel - it is weirdly small and can be rather disorientating.
The 208 has undergone a new dietry regime, and in a bid to lose weight, sound deadening has clearly suffered. The noise inside the cabin is significant - you hear everything from wind noise to the rattling of the tyres beneath you. Also, the sheet metal is noticeably hollow, and the doors slam shut with a sonorous thud. Additionally, the engine noise is quite harsh when you give it the beans.
There are perks to the 208's new weight-saving regime, though, and a fairly significant one at that - $15,000 to be exact. The car weighs in at 1,090kg, and its lightened weight helps the car to be light on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This allows it to qualify for the band A2 Carbon Emissions-Based Vehicle Scheme rebate.
Drive
Where the 208 comes to life is in the way it drives. As mentioned earlier, it is now offered with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech DOHC turbocharged petrol engine, pushing out 109 horses and 205Nm of torque. The engine is a perky and excitable one, and power comes in big swells. And because the car is light, the drive is extremely brisk, capable of pulling hard even in fifth gear. The engine is definitely eager and very keen to sit high up in the rev range.
While it is an engaging engine, it's also a slightly unpredictable one, especially when taking into account the power swells. For example, in second gear, the turbo kicks in at about 2,000rpm, and pulls hard until about 4,000rpm. In third and fourth, it only starts to really pull around 2,300rpm to 2,500rpm, and pulls hard to about 3,500rpm. While this would be great fun when controlled with a stickshift manual, it can sometimes be iffy in full auto mode. More often than not, you'll find yourself suddenly uncomfortably close to the car in front of you.
The engine is mated to an EAT6 six-speed transmission that is noticably improved, and does a good job of cycling through the gears to keep the revs (and your heartrate) up.
The steering is super quick, with no free play at all. You really do feel every twitch of the front wheels. Handling is sharp, and the short 2,540mm wheelbase means it's great fun through corners. The suspension is also firm, and offers great confidence to attack roundabouts in the imaginary street circuit we always make up in our heads.
Where the 208 comes to life is in the way it drives. As mentioned earlier, it is now offered with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech DOHC turbocharged petrol engine, pushing out 109 horses and 205Nm of torque. The engine is a perky and excitable one, and power comes in big swells. And because the car is light, the drive is extremely brisk, capable of pulling hard even in fifth gear. The engine is definitely eager and very keen to sit high up in the rev range.
While it is an engaging engine, it's also a slightly unpredictable one, especially when taking into account the power swells. For example, in second gear, the turbo kicks in at about 2,000rpm, and pulls hard until about 4,000rpm. In third and fourth, it only starts to really pull around 2,300rpm to 2,500rpm, and pulls hard to about 3,500rpm. While this would be great fun when controlled with a stickshift manual, it can sometimes be iffy in full auto mode. More often than not, you'll find yourself suddenly uncomfortably close to the car in front of you.
The engine is mated to an EAT6 six-speed transmission that is noticably improved, and does a good job of cycling through the gears to keep the revs (and your heartrate) up.
The steering is super quick, with no free play at all. You really do feel every twitch of the front wheels. Handling is sharp, and the short 2,540mm wheelbase means it's great fun through corners. The suspension is also firm, and offers great confidence to attack roundabouts in the imaginary street circuit we always make up in our heads.
Unfortunately, the excitement and friskiness doesn't die down, and that is a problem. The 208 feels too busy to be a good daily driver. In everyday traffic and bland roads and especially at low speeds, there is too much going on, making you feel anxious more regularly than you want to.
Having the lack of steering free play also means that the steering wheel will occasionally leap in a way that may induce a muffled scream, such as going over uneven tarmac or even a high road hump. The Pug feels like a car that wants to be driven hard, and chastises you when you don't.
Conclusion
The 208 is a ton of fun, make no mistake about it. The more you push it, the more fun it arguably becomes. But the more time we spend with it, the less we would want to drive it on a daily basis. It's just overly busy and a tad too unpredictable for our slow, start-stop roads.
In some ways, the 208 is like a little terrier - small, cute and hyperactive - that's constantly desperate for your attention, wanting you to play with him. You know, the sort that will bark incessantly if he sees you sitting on the couch watching TV instead of ruffling his shaggy head.
Don't get us wrong - we love the playfulness and childish abandon of the 208. We have a feeling it'd be absolutely at home on some winding B-roads, with a scenic background reflecting off its curvaceous skin. It's just that sometimes, you want a little peace and quiet, and the 208 just won't give you that.
Having the lack of steering free play also means that the steering wheel will occasionally leap in a way that may induce a muffled scream, such as going over uneven tarmac or even a high road hump. The Pug feels like a car that wants to be driven hard, and chastises you when you don't.
Conclusion
The 208 is a ton of fun, make no mistake about it. The more you push it, the more fun it arguably becomes. But the more time we spend with it, the less we would want to drive it on a daily basis. It's just overly busy and a tad too unpredictable for our slow, start-stop roads.
In some ways, the 208 is like a little terrier - small, cute and hyperactive - that's constantly desperate for your attention, wanting you to play with him. You know, the sort that will bark incessantly if he sees you sitting on the couch watching TV instead of ruffling his shaggy head.
Don't get us wrong - we love the playfulness and childish abandon of the 208. We have a feeling it'd be absolutely at home on some winding B-roads, with a scenic background reflecting off its curvaceous skin. It's just that sometimes, you want a little peace and quiet, and the 208 just won't give you that.
