Big season face lift never stop this summer. At the city car market, after Art Clio V whose style was largely developed under the influence of Gilles Vidal, it was his turn Peugeot draw with a new version of it 208. None of them can rest on their laurels. It is quite simple to play between two city cars place #1 on the French market! And quite recently, a city car with a diamond even captured…

Style: An even sharper front end

After Fresh restyling in 2008 but also large sedan 508it was the sister’s turn 208 to make a major style update. After a career that began at the end of 2019, the little 208 II Phase 2 is at the tip of its claws with an even more graphic and modern design than ever.

The front panel gains a new pencil stroke, reminiscent of the changes recently introduced to the entire Peugeot range. THE optical redesigned, and we note the disappearance of the LED fangs in favor three sharp claws on each side under the light. THE neo retro logoUnveiled in 2021, the 308 finally sits proudly on the wider grille. This one, which is also decked out in body color on the higher-end GT and Allure models. It’s also the same painted fins we’ve seen on other Peugeot models recently. Only the active coating has a black radiator grille.

At the back, the changes apply trunk door and the lights. In these new optical units, the red LEDs come from from vertical to horizontal position. These very graphic light bars contribute to the city car’s greater roadworthiness. Finally, as in the 2008 urban crossover, the lion disappears from the tailgate and find only Peugeot inscription inscribed in the horizontal black plastic strip that connects the two lights.

Interior: Union minimum for this restyling

Just like the newly introduced 2008 facelift, the lion city car has minimal equipment. We still find the i-cockpit with a small steering wheel and a central screen that receives measuring 10 inches for all versions now. So get out of the 7-inch sizes for the entry-level Active. With the on-board computer hardware upgrade, the system’s responsiveness has also been improved. The appearance of the piano keys has been slightly changed, there are fewer icons on the top bar. Finally, the new Peugeot logo takes place in the center of the steering wheel.

Engines: two new units

Under the hood, the new Peugeot 208 will finally be able to compete with Toyota Yaris and above all, the last Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid 145, which we just tried. The offer of the engine of the lioness was not taken into account hybrid engine without recharging, Peugeot corrects the shooting on the occasion of this restyling and announces the arrival of two versions 48V hybrids 100 hp. and 136 hp. They are also the same as the 2008, 3008 or 5008 introduced recently. It new three-cylinder 1.2now about timing chainwhich is associated with automatic transmission e-DCS6 (which works with a small electric motor).

The engine offer is refused diesel (1.5 BlueHDi 100), so the 208 is only available with gasoline engines (PureTech 75 hp in BVM5 and 100 hp in BVM6), gasoline hybrid AND 100% electric. It is these versions with battery power that always have the same two engines:

• 136 horsepower version (100 kW) with a 50 kWh battery (autonomous 360 km);
• 156 horsepower version (115 kW) with a new Nidec engine and a battery of 51 kWh (autonomy 400 km).

Therefore, we count as a whole 6 power levels just now 3 different engines. With competition, Renault for example, offer diesel still available as well as a LPG engine, both offered in the catalog of the new Clio. On the other hand, the diamond comes out electric.

Finally, the new restyled 208 will be available with only 3 trim levels: Active, tempo and high level GT. The city car also takes advantage of this facelift to adopt two new colors in the catalogue: a Agueda is yellow as a starting shade and a selenium gray. The first deliveries of this new 208 are expected to next fall and prices will be announced no earlier than September!

Read also:

According to Carlos Tavares, the Peugeot e-208 cannot be produced in France

Peugeot: 9X8-based supercar coming soon?

Stellantis: June 2023 sales growth