New Peugeot 208, successor to the Peugeot 205

In 1983, a legendary model hit the streets: the Peugeot 205. A few months ago, marketing began for its successor in the line, the new PEUGEOT E-208. A car that, more than four decades later, takes up the torch of the legendary Leo.

Designed to meet similar needs, these two models reflect the evolution of automobiles over the past half century: from the evolution of thermal engines or the introduction of new driving assistance or communication technologies to the advent of electric or hybrid engines.

The Peugeot 205 occupies an honorable place in the history of the brand. This ushered in a new identity for Peugeot: young, with a modern aesthetic and a sporting vocation. It also introduced design features that are still widely present in the current line. Today, the new Peugeot 208 follows closely in its footsteps and inherits its indomitable and avant-garde spirit through its dynamic design and innovations in driving assistance and electrical technology.

In 1983, Peugeot was considered a reliable and solid brand focused on large traditional sedans. A conservative and somewhat boring image, which earned him the nickname “notary machine” in France. Everything changed with the launch of the Peugeot 205.

During his long career in Peugeot’s design department, Gerard Welter found the ingredients for a true stylistic revolution that would lead the brand to triumph in the city car segment, from which it had been absent for many years. A rounded silhouette without edges or lines, a large glass surface and a light and friendly appearance combine to create a successful model. The design is modern and simple and still has a strong influence on the current ‘Peugeot style’ and the features continue across much of the range.

Like its illustrious predecessor from the early 1980s, the new Peugeot 208 is striking in its design, adopting an unmistakably sporty style, with feline lines paying homage to the Lion that identifies the brand. The updated Roaring Lion logo appears in the center of the grille, which blends seamlessly with the body. This animal is also present in the lighting technology with the characteristic three claws in the front daytime running lights and in the full LED headlights at the rear.

Technical innovation is one of the strengths of this model. While some versions of the PEUGEOT 205 introduced safety equipment such as ABS brakes, the new PEUGEOT 208 represents a revolution.

The i-Cockpit® driving position evolves from the entry-level trim with a central 10-inch (25.4 cm) touchscreen, complemented by i-Toggles (piano key-style quick access) and a wireless mirror screen. system. An innovative 10-inch 2D digital instrument cluster is displayed in front of the driver as standard on the Allure trim, while a 3D Quartz with holographic effect is standard on the GT.

Driving assistance features enhance the safety and performance of this sedan. Depending on trim, it includes a 180° HD rearview camera linked to front and rear parking sensors. It also has a safety package that includes day and night automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition. The list of technologies is endless.

The new PEUGEOT 208 can be equipped with adaptive cruise control with a Stop and Go function that regulates the distance between vehicles; active lane departure warning with lane departure correction, fatigue detection alert and passive blind spot monitoring. The system for recognizing and displaying road signs on digital instrument panels enhances its capabilities: in addition to the usual speed-related signs, “Stop”, “One-way traffic”, “No overtaking” and “No overtaking” signs are added.

In terms of connectivity, Peugeot’s i-Connect Advanced technology is available as an option across the range, which includes connected Tom Tom navigation with real-time information and OK PEUGEOT voice recognition.

The jump between both models is also noticeable in the electrification section. The PEUGEOT 205 was not even sold with an electric version, but this was key to the development of this technology in the brand. Already in 1982, Peugeot began working with 20 units equipped with Alstom batteries, which had the disadvantages of lead. This experience served to market the electric version of the Peugeot J5: 50 cars were purchased for the fleet of the oil company ELF.

In turn, the new PEUGEOT E-208 is equipped with an electric motor producing 156 hp. (115 kW), which provides autonomy up to 566 km according to WLTP in the urban cycle and reduces recharging time: 25 minutes to achieve 80% power. on a 100 kW public charger or 4 hours 40 minutes on a 7.4 kW single-phase Easy Wallbox. An electric version with 100 kW (136 hp) and a range of 340 km remains in the range.

In addition, it introduces two 48V hybrid drive trains that develop 100 and 136 hp respectively. Its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions represent a 15% reduction compared to a petrol engine with similar performance. Its charging system with braking and deceleration allows for more than half of city trips to be driven in zero-emission mode.

The new PEUGEOT 208 catalog has been expanded with two PureTech petrol variants with 75 hp. and 100 hp with 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions respectively. Its ancestor, the PEUGEOT 205, had petrol engines with power ranging from 45 to 103 hp. with fuel consumption, which, depending on engine size and performance, ranged from 5.9 l/100 km to 8.2 l/100 km. In the diesel section, the 1.8D and 1.8D Turbo engines developed power from 60 to 78 hp. with consumption from 5.6 to 6.1 l/100 km.

The new Peugeot 208 is not yet available in Colombia. Peugeot is distributed in Colombia by Astara.