New-Gen Peugeot 208 Bids for Share of B-Segment

MADRID – French automaker PSA begins marketing its second-generation Peugeot 208, offering three gasoline, one diesel and one battery-electric version.

The 5-seat city car, launched in 2012 and refreshed in 2015, competes in a segment that includes the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia.

The Peugeot e-208 BEV’s 50-kWh battery delivers 136 hp, offers a range of 211 miles (340 km) and is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km).

The gasoline engines are variants of the 1.2L PureTech 3-cyl., generating 75 hp, 102 hp and 131 hp. The 75-hp has a 5-speed manual transmission. The 102-hp comes with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic. Only the 8AT is available with the 131-hp engine.

The 1.5L diesel has 102 hp and is mated to a 6-speed manual.

All the powerplants have stop-start technology.

The ’20-model Peugeot 208 uses the Common Modular Platform for subcompact cars jointly developed by PSA and Chinese-owned automaker Dongfeng. The new model not only is lighter than its predecessor but is longer at 160 ins. (4,060 mm). Width remains 69 ins. (1,750 mm) and height decreases to 56 ins. (1,430 mm).

The Peugeot 208’s bigger external dimensions allow a larger trunk with a volume of 9.4 cu.-ft. (265 L) that increases to 10.9 cu.-ft. (309 L) with the spare tire removed. Volume further rises to 39.2 cu.-ft. (1,109 L) with the rear seats folded down.

Inside is Peugeot’s 3D i-Cockpit, which displays hologram-like data to the driver. Touchscreens are 5, 7 or 10 ins. (12.5, 17.5, 25.4 cm), depending on trim level.

Driver-assistance features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic signal recognition and automated parking.

The gasoline Peugeot 208 has a base price in Spain of €13,200 ($14,760). The diesel starts at €17,400 ($19,460), while the electric e-208 costs a minimum of €29,350 ($32,800). The Spanish government in February 2019 authorized subsidies of €5,000 ($5,580) for EV purchases and required dealers to provide minimum discounts of €1,000 ($1,115).