First Drive: Peugeot 208

The Peugeot 208 is available in Ireland in both three-door and five-door hatch, with prices starting from €14,495

Peugeot’s new super-mini, the Peugeot 208 is magic – literally.

Despite being 7cm shorter on the outside than its predecessor (the 207), the 208 has a Tardis-like feel to it, managing to be roomier inside, offering rear passengers 5cm extra in knee space.

I was also impressed with the size of the boot, which is bigger than that in the 207 and is very generous indeed.

The new model is also 110kg – or the weight of two skinny women – lighter than the 207, which has resulted in lower fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

Take a peek inside the 208 and probably the first thing you’ll notice is that the steering wheel is smaller than normal and, taking a closer look, you’ll realise that the instrument cluster seems to hover over the steering wheel, rather than sit behind it.

At its Irish launch in Dublin today, I got to put the hatch through its paces on both the motorway and through the city streets.

Light and compact, the 208 is perfect for city driving. I liked the smaller steering wheel and the lovely, light steering made short work of frequent street turns and parking was simple.

On the motorway too, it impressed, holding its own at high speed and in inclement weather.

I also really like that cruise control comes as standard on the entry level model.

I do a lot of city driving so I’m looking forward to our long term test drive, after which we’ll have a full review of the 208.

The Peugeot 208 is available in both a 3-door and 5-door hatchback, with three trim levels – Access, Active and Allure.

As well as cruise control, the entry level Access also offers electric front windows, seat belt alarm, steering wheel column audio and speed controls, full size spare wheel, and daytime running lights with follow me home function, as standard.

Go a step up to the Active level and a 7″ multi-function colour touchscreen, USB connection and Bluetooth are some of the features which come as standard.

And the top of the range Allure adds a leather trimmed steering wheel, leather and chrome gear knob, LED daytime running lights, auto lights and wipers and an electrochrome rearview mirror.

A choice of four engines will be available – two petrol and two diesel. The petrol offerings are a 1.0l 68bph and a 1.2l 82bhp, while the diesel models comprise a 1.4l 68bhp HDi model and a 1.4l 68bph eHDi with Stop Start technology. All engine offerings fall into the Band A road tax bracket.

Peugeot has also upped its eco-friendliness in the manufacturing of the 208, with 25 per cent of materials used to build the car sourced from recycled materials.

The 208 has also achieved a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The new Peugeot 208 has in its sights women drivers and those on the look-out for a second car.

Sales and Marketing Director at Peugeot, Des Cannon said: ‘With the launch of 208, Peugeot aims to reclaim leadership of the competitive small car in Europe next year and we aim to register 1,000 units here, boosting our market share to over 4 per cent.’

The Peugeot 208 is available now, with prices starting from €14,495.

Visit peugeot.ie or the Peugeot Ireland Facebook page for further information.