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The new 2008 is a completely different car from the original Peugeot 2008 (2014-2020) which, while it was good, fought for sales with rivals such as the MINI Countryman, Renault Captur and Nissan Juke.

Model tested: 2008 GT, 1.2L PureTech, 130hp, 6-Speed Manual (£26,180).

Peugeot 2008 ICE range priced from £21,030 to £30,930.

Peugeot e-2008 EV range priced from £30,680 to £36,630 (incl. PiG grant).

In the UK and most global markets, three types of propulsion are offered for the new 2008: petrol, diesel and all-electric. PSA’s ‘common modular platform’ under the new 2008 (which it shares with the 208 hatchback) is rather clever and allows all powerplants to slot into the same structural front end, permitting all three versions to be built on the same production line.

A little while back, the boldly-hued ‘KO69 CWF’ came to visit – a Peugeot 2008 presented in GT trim, with a 130bhp three-cylinder 1.2L PureTech petrol engine, paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. It was finished in dual-tone ‘Fusion Orange Metallic’ with a black roof and pillars…

Everything. With typical Gallic flair, Peugeot has created something pretty special to look at in the new 2008. Park one of these on your driveway and your curtain-twitching neighbours will be suitably impressed (I did and they were).

The design is radically different from that of the outgoing model, which now looks rather librarian by comparison. An imposing vertical grille, a jutting chin spoiler and fang-like LED daytime running lights give it a quirky look.

Overall length has grown considerably by 141mm (to 4,300mm) and the distance between the wheels now measures 2,605mm (up 65mm), which translates to more cabin space.

Inside, the new 2008 gains Peugeot's latest, third-generation 'i-Cockpit' design. However as before, the driving position can be something of an acquired taste: instead of looking through the upper half of the steering wheel to see your instruments like you normally would, an extra-small oval-ish steering wheel is fitted over which you peer instead.

Some will like the unconventional feel this gives, but others might struggle to get comfy. The dials themselves are pretty conventional on the most affordable Active trim level, but for the Allure and upwards they are replaced by digital 3D ones that have a range of different configurations. They look cool and they work pretty well, while the touch-screen infotainment system is large and easy to operate when driving.

A neat cabin detail is the fold-down flap located underneath the 'piano key'-style switchgear, which conceals an area for your smartphone while it charges – either inductively or via two charging points.

While the 2008 is based on the same underpinnings as the smaller Peugeot 208 supermini, there's 65mm more bodywork between the front and rear wheels. The most noticeable gain is improved legroom and knee room for rear passengers and there's also plenty of space for their feet under the front seats.

Boot space should impress most families, with 434 litres available behind the rear seats (1,467 litres with row two folded). That compares well against rivals and while the Renault Captur can carry more luggage, you'll need to slide its rear seats forward to acquire it, which reduces space for rear passengers.

Just like the smaller 208 supermini, the 2020 Peugeot 2008 compact SUV is offered in Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium trim levels. All five trim grades are available on the e-2008 EV as well.

Equipment is very generous, with the range-entry Active Premium getting 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, LED headlights and a basic version of i-Cockpit. Allure adds bigger wheels and gloss black exterior trim, part leather-effect seats, climate control and parking sensors, folding door mirrors, LED fog lights, an anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and navigation, or Allure Premium that brings satnav and the latest 3D i-Cockpit instruments.

GT versions get a style upgrade in the form of 18-inch wheels, more aggressive bodywork and a black roof. Lime green stitching contrasts with the rest of the interior, while ambient lighting with eight colours illuminates the interior at night. There's also some impressive technology, including a 180-degree rear-view camera, heated front seats, 10-inch infotainment display, satnav, full-LED headlights and wireless smartphone charging.

The range-topping GT Premium trim as tested is exclusive to the top petrol and electric versions and adds twin-exhaust tailpipes, a panoramic roof, adaptive cruise control and extra safety features.

Depending on your budget and needs, Peugeot offers its award-winning 1.2-litre turbocharged PureTech petrol engine in three states of tune – 100bhp, 130bhp or 155bhp. Every 2008 is front-wheel drive, and while the 100bhp version is manual-only, the middle 130bhp petrol is also available with an eight-speed automatic, which is standard fit for the strongest 155bhp engine.

All three are excellent, offering smooth power and decent refinement, although it can get slightly louder at higher revs.

The single diesel offered is a 110bhp, 1.5-litre turbocharged unit which, while it has less power than most of the petrol range, its 250Nm of torque is higher than all but the electric model. It comes fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and can top out at 115mph, so a 70mph cruise should prove fairly relaxing.

All Peugeot e-2008 EV models come with a 134bhp electric motor and a 50kW/h battery. Besides the 155bhp petrol engine, it’s the most potent in the range and 0-62mph is dealt with in nine seconds. That’s similar to the KIA e-Niro, and the e-2008 feels very punchy as a result. There’s no gearbox to slow things down either, so acceleration is seamless and immediate. Its top speed is sensibly limited to 93mph so as not to drain the battery too quickly.

Ride comfort, particularly on the smaller 17-inch wheels fitted to the Active and Allure models, is impressively assured and copes well with both twisty roads and urban obstacles such as speed humps. Top-heavy vehicles like this often suffer from significant body roll compared with more conventional hatchbacks but Peugeot engineers have done a good job of keeping body roll in check, without compromising the ride comfort with excessively stiff springs.

The 18-inch wheels on GT models are a little less refined over sharp bumps but, overall, the 2008’s ride is one of its more appealing qualities.

Peugeot has also calmed the somewhat twitchy response to the steering found in its larger 3008 brother, meaning it’s more relaxing to drive while still feeling direct and surprisingly agile.

Those opting for the e-2008 should enjoy an equally rounded driving experience. A 300kg weight penalty means the 134bhp electric motor doesn’t deliver as much of a shove as you might expect from an EV, but for moderate, everyday driving, the electric model is a truly excellent package.

As a bang-up-to-date model, the 2008 benefits from the latest safety equipment and comes as standard with an impressive array of technology to keep you out of trouble.

Standard features include active lane-keeping assistance, which actually tweaks the steering to keep you between the white lines should you start running wide. Automatic braking meanwhile brings you to a halt should a pedestrian step out in front of the car while the screen-mounted camera relays speed limits and other traffic sign information to the dash display.

This is good enough for a 2019 four-star NCAP rating, which increases to a full five-star score on Allure and up, thanks to more sophisticated automatic braking that works in dark and low-visibility situations too.

Flagship GT version gets the full kit, including blind spot detection that steers you out of a collision should you fail to see a vehicle alongside and full active cruise control with stop and go function in traffic. These functions can be added as a cost option to Allure and GT Line models when you also choose the automatic transmission.

The all-new 2008 adopts Peugeot’s ‘Power of Choice’ philosophy - you simply choose your Peugeot trim grade and your petrol, diesel or electric powertrain – and the rest falls neatly into place.

There can be no denying the design work that’s gone into this car, on which so many hopes are pinned. Launching one car with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains is brave and far-sighted. Overall, the new Peugeot 2008 is entertainingly cheerful, good fun to drive and unmistakably French.

KEY FACTS: Peugeot 2008 GT, 1.2L PureTech, 130bhp, 6-Speed Manual

Engine: Front-mounted 1.2-litre inline 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol.

Power / torque: 130bhp @ 5,500rpm / 200Nm @ 1,750.

Fuel tank capacity: 44 litres (9.68 Imperial gallons).

Theoretical range: Approx. 440 - 510 miles.

Towing weight (braked/unbraked): 1,200 / 600 kg.

Service intervals: 12 months / 12,500 miles.

Warranty & roadside assistance: 3 years / unlimited miles.

The new 2020 Peugeot 208 was awarded the 'European Car of the Year' for 2020. It is also a top-three finalist in the 2020 World Car Design of the Year.

Tested: Peugeot 208, 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100hp diesel, 6-speed manual, in ‘Allure’ trim.

RR Prices: £20,350 (BIK 26%). As tested: £21,695 (see options fitted below).

208 range from £16,250 (1.2-litre PureTech 75hp petrol, 5-speed manual in ‘Active’ trim).

It’s Friday, so let’s start with the good news.

Last week, the new Peugeot 208 was awarded the 'European Car of the Year' for 2020. It is also a top-three finalist in the 2020 World Car Design of the Year, with exalted company in the form of the new Mazda3 and Porsche Taycan EV.

To be fair, the new 208 is a completely different car from the original Peugeot 208 (2012-2019), which, while it was good…-ish, did struggle to compete with rivals such as the Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza in most key areas. Still, recorded sales in excess of 22 million units are none too shabby.

The second-generation Peugeot 208 is available with three types of propulsion: Petrol, Diesel and All-Electric. The platform under the new 208 is rather clever and allows all powerplants to slot into the same structural front nook, so all three versions can be built on the same production line.

Last week, ‘CWC’ came to visit – a Peugeot 208, 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100hp diesel, 6-speed manual, presented in ‘Allure’ trim.

With typical Gallic flair, Peugeot has created something pretty special to look at in the new 208. Park one of these on your driveway (as I did) and the neighbours will be impressed (as they were).

The design is radically different from that of the outgoing model, which now looks rather librarian by comparison. The new car is fractionally longer and wider but lower than before. It also gets aggressive-looking lighting cues and the windscreen has been slid back to create a longer snout and better-defined proportions.

At the front, there's a large, intricately detailed 3D-effect grille and some eye-catching LED daytime running light 'fangs'. At the back, the lines are more curvaceous and defined than with the previous model, the rear screen is more angled and there's a glassy black centre section housing triple red LED ‘claw’ lights on each side.

Higher-trim levels (like the yellow GT-Line pictured) are fitted with sleek, gloss-black wheel-arch extensions that tie in with a tail-light graphic stretching the entire width of the boot lid.

Inside the cabin, the latest 208 gains Peugeot's latest, third-generation 'i-Cockpit' design. However, the driving position can be something of an acquired taste: instead of looking through your steering wheel to see your instruments like you do normally, an extra-small oval steering wheel is fitted and you have to peer over it instead.

Some will like the unconventional feel this gives, but others might struggle to get comfy. The dials themselves are pretty conventional on the most affordable Active trim level, but for the Allure and upwards they’re replaced by digital 3D ones that have a range of different configurations. They look cool and they work pretty well, while the touch-screen infotainment system is large and easy to operate when driving.

A really nice cabin detail is the fold-down flap located underneath the 'piano key'-style switchgear, which conceals an area for your smartphone while it charges – either inductively or via two charging points.

At the back of the new 208 you'll find decent passenger space for a car of this size. And Peugeot's keen to point out that the e-208 all-electric version has the same amount of rear seat legroom and boot space as its fossil fuelled siblings.

The demise of three-door hatchbacks by most automakers has been adopted by Peugeot as every 208 now comes with five doors, so it's much easier for passengers to access the back row than in three-door versions of the previous 208 iteration.

Peugeot has also paid more attention to storage, putting a large cubby under the central armrest, along with a tray ahead of the gear-lever. Rear visibility is reasonable due to the 208's small back window but rear parking sensors are included on most trim levels.

Measuring 311 litres, the 208's boot is average for the class, beating the 292 litres offered in the Ford Fiesta but failing to match the 351 litres of the Polo or vast 391 litres found in the new Renault Clio. However, folding down the 60:40 split rear seats reveals a more useful 1,106 litres of load space.

There are three trim levels offered for the new 208 called ‘Active’, ‘Allure’ and ‘GT Line’, each offered with petrol, diesel and electric power, along with a ‘GT’ trim only offered for the e-208 EV.

Active versions get 16-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights with the fang design, along with pre-heating for the e-208 EV. Allure adds 17-inch wheels, a black B-pillar, leather-effect upholstery, 3D i-Cockpit and LED rear lights.

GT Line models benefit from front and rear parking sensors along with a wide-angle rear-view camera. There are 17-inch alloy wheels, eight-colour ambient lighting, LED headlights, black wheel arches, twin exhaust pipes (except e-208 EV, of course) and a black contrasting roof.

Automated parking, adaptive cruise control, Alcantara upholstery, heated front seats and a 10-inch infotainment screen with satnav are added to the GT e-208 electric vehicle.

Considering how well equipped the 208 is in second-tier Allure trim, there were just two options applied to the test car: Elixir Pearlescent Red exterior paint (£695) and the 10-inch colour touchscreen with Connected 3D Navigation and includes a three-year subscription to TomTom Live Updates (£650).

Personally, I think the paint is silly-expensive, didn’t look that pearlescent to me and probably isn’t worth it (especially when the neat-looking Faro Yellow costs zero extra). However, the large touchscreen with satnav does look and behave rather neatly. Total value of options: £1,345.

The all-new Peugeot 208 is available with four conventional-engined powertrains and the all-electric e-208.

There is a punchy three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech petrol unit delivering 75, 100 or 130hp, paired with a five or six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic transmission.

For the higher-mileage diesel fans, there is a four-cylinder 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100hp unit matched to a six-speed manual transmission.

While I was sent the diesel version for evaluation, I would be inclined to agree with Peugeot’s assessment that the 1.2L PureTech 100hp petrol 6-speed manual in Allure trim grade, is likely to be the biggest seller.

Whichever engine you choose, the steering is light, which is great for darting around town. The 208 doesn't feel as sporty as a Ford Fiesta but handles well, remaining pretty flat and composed during high-speed cornering and quick directional changes through the twisty bits.

A downside is that the suspension settings deliver a ride that many might find a tad too firm – and certainly firmer than that of the Citroen C3 and Ford Fiesta.

Claimed fuel economy for the diesel as tested is 60.8 - 71.4 mpg, versus 50.4 - 52.3 mpg for the 100hp petrol, but the £1,500 extra upfront cost only makes sense for high-mileage drivers. Little wonder then that only five per cent of UK 208’s will drink from the black pump.

Mind you, if the diesel suits your work-life balance better, rest assured it’s decently refined, strong on the torque front and a very capable motorway cruiser. I did find the six-speed manual gearbox a bit floppy and vague, though.

During the test week, a total of 355 miles were driven over mixed roads at an average speed of 32mph, with 10:14hrs of driving time. While no attempt was made at frugality, the average fuel consumption was recorded at 67.1mpg, which sits comfortably within the ‘Low-High’ WLTP band of 60.8 - 71.4mpg.

The new 208 scored four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing in 2019, which will be disappointing news for Peugeot, as most cars achieve the full five-star safety rating.

In all categories the new 208 scored well, but lost points due to lack of adequate whiplash protection for rear adult passengers, which is something buyers considering a new 208 should think about if they regularly carry adults in the back.

Be assured, the lack of a fifth star doesn’t make the 208 an unsafe car. There is a plethora of driving aids available, from adaptive cruise control to lane positioning assist, traffic sign recognition to blind spot monitoring. It also features driver attention monitoring, which works at speeds over 40mph and analyses steering wheel movements to detect alertness.

The all-new 208 is the first car to adopt Peugeot’s ‘Power of Choice’ philosophy - you simply choose your Peugeot trim grade and your petrol, diesel or electric powertrain – and the rest falls neatly into place.

There can be no denying the design work that’s gone into this car, on which so many hopes are pinned. Launching one car with petrol, diesel and battery powertrains is brave, but perhaps far-sighted. Either way, it’s entertainingly cheerful, good fun to drive and unmistakably French.

So, that’s the good news, now on to the bad news...because you’re here and you have been, thanks for reading - WG.

2019: March – world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.

2019: August – UK prices and model line-up announced.

2019: October – Sales order books opened.

2020: January – First customer deliveries via retail network.

Key Facts: 2020 Peugeot 208 ‘Allure’ 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100hp diesel, 6-speed manual

Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Max output: 102hp @3,500 rpm / 250Nm of torque from 1,750.

Transmission: Via a six-speed manual gearbox, to front wheels.

MPG: 60.8 – 71.4 (WLTP combined Low-High).

Luggage capacity (row 2 seatbacks up/down): 311 / 1,106 litres.

Tag: peugeot

Review: 2020 Peugeot 2008

Review: 2020 Peugeot 208

Tag: peugeot

Review: 2020 Peugeot 2008

Review: 2020 Peugeot 208

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