Peugeots 208 GT Line, the Macarons of compact hatches

Have a chat with me on either twitter or Instagram @DanielCalbacho

 

I review a car a week. I get to spend quality time with each of the vehicles I review; using them in my everyday life. Some I like, some I appreciate for their creation, some I respect but don’t take to as much as others and then there are those special few that leave me wanting more. My heart grows fond of them and I’m sad to see my week coming to an end with the car. It feels like the loss of a sweet treat. One that I could devour on a daily basis. Peugeot’s recently facelifted 208 is one of those cars.

Not entirely fair to refer to the 208’s revisions as merely a facelift, for the simple reason that the list of updates to the car are vast. The repercussions of the upgrade have been dynamically advantageous to the 208 model line-up as a result. Walk around the 208; you’ll notice revised bumpers, both front and rear, a tweaked grille, under the bonnet lies a new outstanding engine that’s mated to a very good 6-speed automatic gearbox and a decluttered dashboard thanks to an up-to-date centralised 7-inch touchscreen tablet, which houses the majority of the car's electronic functions.

Also new, the addition of the GT Line. The GT Line is essentially a package designed to further enhance the 208 aesthetic looks. The package makes the 208 appear sexier. It gives the 208 a greater street appeal. Think of it as you would of Kylie Jenner’s makeover – sweet girl next door to fiery bombshell.

A world first on a production model, the 208 GT Line is offered with a textured paint. It requires no special treatment (except NO WAX) or washing instructions, and is available in Ice Silver and Ice Grey. It looks fabulously matt. Rubbing your hand over its finish reveals a rough texture.  My test car was delivered in the Ice Grey finish colour, which I’d recommend as it works well with the other GT Line enhancements. These are the special ‘Equaliser’ grille with red detailing, a gloss black finish for the grille surround, fog lamp finishers and exterior mirror housings, and 17’’ Caesium alloy wheels. Also unique to the GT Line is the chrome-finished exhaust tailpipe, red Peugeot lettering, and privacy glass for the rear windows.

The GT Line is carried through to the car’s interior. Like the good quality lining of a bag – the interior of the 208 is synergised with the exterior. Gorgeous black and red upholstered sports seat make easy work of cosseting the driver and front passenger.

 

The sexy little Peugeot is driven by the “2016 Engine of the Year” in its category for the second consecutive year. A fabulous 1.2 turbocharged gem. So good is the engine that BMW/MINI buy a version of it which is fitted to their MINI One. This compact 3-cylinder, when mated to optional slick shifting 6-speed automatic effortlessly gets the 208 from a standstill to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds. The 81 KW engine although compact and modestly powerful packs a punch above its weight. Light on the juice too, you can expect an urban run to at 8l/per 100km but when taking the 208 on freeway cruises figures will drop as low as 5l/per 100km.

As with most French cars, the 208 has a supple ride. This is ideal for the South African road conditions. Comfort, silence and effortless motoring are the order of the day and a highlight of the 208 versus its rivals.

 

Pro’s

  • Comfortable ride
  • Outstanding engine
  • Automatic gearbox
  • Playful paint finish
  • Dynamic interior
  • Well-endowed standard specifications
  • Frugal
  • Great maintenance plan

 

Con’s

  • Pricey
  • Dynamically inferior to the Ford Fiesta
  • Initially, a strange driving position which takes time getting used to

 

The competition

Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio, VW Polo, KIA Rio and Mazda2

 

Pricing

208 1.0 Pop Art                                                     R169 900
208 Active 1.2 PureTech                                          R224 900
208 GT Line 1.2 PureTech Turbo                                R284 900

208 GT Line 1.2 PureTech Turbo Auto                         R304 900

208 3-door GTi                                                      R309 900

 

Service and warranty

Pricing includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty. Active and GT Line models also benefit from a five-year/60 000 km Premium Plan (Full maintenance plan).

 

My choice

Based on price, I’d either pick the entry level 1.0 Pop Art or the top of the range GTi

www.peugeot.co.za

Views: 324

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of neofundi to add comments!

Join neofundi


Follow us on twitter  

 

© 2024   Created by neofundi.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service