Peugeot has announced the changes with its
208 supermini, which now has a completely different feel – literally. That’s because the French company has introduced a new line in textured paint that feels a little bit like an unshaven chin.
Colours have become a shade more interesting as well. There’s a coffee-hued Ice Grey, and Ice Silver, which is actually grey and can be personalised with an enchanting Lime Yellow pack on the Active and Allure versions.
The updated 208 continues Peugeot’s trend of moving upmarket. It also looks a bit mean, as befits a car that’s forgotten to shave. On the GTi, Matte Black with Lacquered Red is especially menacing.
Bodywork tweaks have also made the car a little more masculine. The grille is deeper and wider, the front bumper is new and the dual-tone headlights come with chrome and black masks.
There’s a redesign on the back lights to accommodate a lion’s claw, which Peugeot are hoping will become an iconic rear emblem. There’s also a new, more exciting profile to the car, with some new chromework along the side.
The 208 might be hard on the outside, but it has a soft centre. The new upgrade incorporates soft-touch materials, lots of glossy black and neat aluminium touches. The whole effect is plush and desirable. What’s more, there’s a leather, go-kart-style steering wheel, even on the Active trim.
All this desirable luxury wraps itself around a car that’s great to drive. It’s smooth and slick. In manual format, change-ups are fluid and you can have fun on the open road without sacrificing any city-slickness. Seamless changes on the automatic make this a winner, too.
If you fancy going frugal, it doesn’t get much better than the diesel 1.6-litre BlueHDi, which offers official fuel consumption of over 94mpg, allied to a mere 79g/km of CO2 emissions. That’s the lowest score on any non-hybrid.
The newest version of the 208, which will hit UK showrooms in mid-June, will also be packed with safety features. Great inclusions such as Active City Brake, Park Assist and reversing cameras should ensure dint-free motoring.
The 1.2-litre petrol generates 108bhp and will take you from 0-62mph in a far-from-shabby 10.7 seconds and on to 118mph.
The 208 is Peugeot’s best-selling model and it’s easy to see why. It’s as easy on the eye as it is on the pocket, and it now comes with a more masculine appeal, which should widen its popularity even more.
Pop down to Howards Group’s West Country showrooms at
Dorchester,
Taunton,
Yeovil and
Weston-Super-Mare to test drive the
Peugeot 208.