New Peugeot 208 - looks good!

[Beefmeister]

From Autocar:

Autocar said:

Peugeot says its new 208 supermini represents the “most ambitious specification overhaul” it has made to a road car, with the new machine being lighter and sleeker than the outgoing 207 despite having the same wheelbase.

In light of criticism of the inert handling and high kerb weight of its B-segment predecessor, Peugeot has tried to imbue the new machine with some of the driving characteristics of its most revered supermini, the 205.

In its lightest form, at 975kg, the 208 weighs 173kg less than the 207. The 208 is 70mm shorter than its forebear at 3960mm and around 10mm lower at 1492mm. The wheelbase is identical at 2540mm and, despite exterior reductions, the occupants get more space. The boot is 15 litres bigger than the 207’s at 285 litres.

Peugeot also promises a greatly improved interior, with a focus on simple style and high-quality materials. A small steering wheel, elevated instrument panel and cabin control touch screen are designed to make the car more driver-focused.
The range of 1.4 and 1.6 petrol powerplants used in the 207 will be replaced by new super-frugal 1.0 and 1.2 VTi units.
The most efficient 1.0 variant will provide a claimed 65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Power outputs are expected to be between 75bhp and 100bhp.

Five diesels will be offered, some of which will be equipped with Peugeot’s frugal ‘micro-hybrid’ technology. Four variants will be equipped with stop-start and the most efficient oilburner will return 83.1mpg and 87g/km.

The car will go on sale in the UK in summer 2012 in three and five-door versions. The three-door will form the basis of the 208 GTI that will follow towards the end of next year.

Kudos for making a considerably lighter car. I also think it looks ace and the GTi version could be amazing. With the 508 they finally seem to be making attractive cars again. Now, if they can find that dynamic flair they've been missing...

[hornetrider]

Looks like a Fiesta clone from the front. And shades of gopping new Focus rear lights.

[Twilight1]

I think the French have the best styling these days, at least on the smaller cars.

[philmots]

Looks great.. and finally someone is going in the right direction in making cars lighter! That's a substantial amount, too. I'd like to know what they've done to get them savings without costing the earth.

[PumpkinSteve]

The front looks like a Clio RS200. I really like the look of the interior, especially that steering wheel, it's a shame it's burdened with a Peugeot badge.

[Use Psychology]

finally, a replacement model that is lighter!

[willisit]

In that guise (top spec, nice wheels, nice paint etc) it's a pretty thing indeed - 99% of them on the road won't look like that... but even so, not half bad!

[jimmy156]

PumpkinSteve said:

The front looks like a Clio RS200. I really like the look of the interior, especially that steering wheel, it's a shame it's burdened with a Peugeot badge.

, badge snob! Would that stop you from buying it?

I think it looks great, as you say very clio RS at the front. Weighing in at under a tonne is great as well, cars are/were getting way to heavy (as is well discussed on here) with hatchbacks approaching 1500kg!

[Gizmo!]

Use Psychology said:

finally, a replacement model that is lighter!

Mazda 2?

[jbi]

Nice style and good attempt at weght savings but those new motors look.pathetic.

How was the 207 reliabilty wise?

[Beefmeister]

jbi said:

Nice style and good attempt at weght savings but those new motors look.pathetic.

75 to 100 bhp is pretty standard for the normal engines in this segment. Who cares if it's a 1.0 or 1.2 instead of a 1.4 or 1.6? If it goes well yet gives great mpg then I don't see the downsides. And with a weight of 1000kg, 100 bhp is more than enough for what this car will do.

They're sticking with the 1.6 Turbo for the GTi (and no doubt some sporty model) and that's the only model where engine and exhaust note is relevant.

[LuS1fer]

Ah, the Peugeot Fiesta..

[Alfanatic]

That chrome smudge behind the rear side window makes the car look like its crying.

EDIT: on the 3 door only.

Other than that, it looks a lot nicer than recent Pugs.

[Lets Torque]

Gizmo! said:

Use Psychology said:

finally, a replacement model that is lighter!

Mazda 2?

Agreed.

[Snowboy]

Meh.
Change the colour from showroom metallic silver to basic flat Pug blue and it's just another generic hatchback.

Pug used to make the 306 roadster, the awesomely boxy 405.
Now they just make boring things.

[stumpage]

You missed the best pic. Check out the nightclub roof lighting.

[gazchap]

The bulge in the front grille caused by the bumper makes it look like it's belming.

[kambites]

At least they've tones done the huuuuge grill that ruined the looks of the last generation of Pugs. Pretty decent effort, all in all.

[chrisispringles]

That interior looks excellent, far better than I'd expect on an ordinary hatch, and I like the fact that they are putting it on a bit of a diet, but the exterior styling looks like there is a little too much going on IMHO.

[barmonkey]

Quite like the 508 but this just doesn't do it for me I'm afraid... It's as if there's just one line or styling tweak too many.