2012 Peugeot 208 Active And Allure Launch Review
PEUGEOT 208 REVIEW
Model: 208 Active 1.2 three-cylinder ($18,490 plus on-roads - manual)
Power/torque: 60kW/118Nm
Fuel consumption listed: 4.7 l/100km | tested: 7.6 l/100km
Model: 208 Allure 1.6 four-cylinder ($21,990 plus on-roads - manual)
Power/torque: 88kW/160Nm
Fuel consumption listed: 5.8 l/100km | tested: 7.6 l/100km
OVERVIEW
It's less, but it's more. Smaller outside, bigger inside: Peugeot's new 208.
It's also lighter than the 207 it replaces. And, yes, it's spunkier: Peugeot's new styling direction sits very comfortably on its pert, fresh-faced newcomer.
The changes below the skin are even more dramatic. There is extensive use of high tensile steels and aluminium for platform, suspension and mechanical components, and new structural techniques to both lighten and strengthen the compact body.
The result is that the entry-level Active is 173kg lighter than the outgoing 207, tipping the scales at a featherweight 975 kg.
There is also, for the first time in any Peugeot in its history in Australia, a three-cylinder 1.2 litre to kick off the range.
This is in addition to the well-known 1.6 litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine (developed by Peugeot but shared with BMW and MINI) and an equally well-known 1.6 litre turbo.
A little surprisingly, there's no diesel here, and, due to short-term shipping problems, no auto for the moment. Also surprisingly, the 207 CC and Tourer (wagon) are to get the chop, and won't be replaced by a 208 equivalent.
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