The French City-car Market.

Maker
    Peugeot 
Family
    208Series
    A9 MY12 
Year 2012 
 Badge Description
    AppealDoor
    5Seat
    5Transmission Automatic 
Description of machine configuration
    In-lineNum Accessories
    4Cylinder
    4Build Country of Origin Description
    FRANCEOverall Star Rating Green
    5Fuel Type Description
    Petrol - Premium ULPDriving Description
    Home Wheel DriveKM Warranty
    100 000
Make an inquiryPeugeot is a brand that has been lost in the desert in recent years. Meanwhile, the biggest seller of the three French brands sold here - the other is the sister brand Citroen and Renault - it commands only a modest 0.5 percent of overall sales and has been treading water.Arrival hatchback 208 - entry-level Peugeot Australia - bringing a new spirit to the local distributor. Distinctive designs and a variety of gasoline-only models are the highlights for a car that competes with the likes of the Volkswagen Polo wins Car of the Year Hard in 2010.Price and equipmentGo to the 208 range starts at $ 18,490 (plus on-road costs and dealer) for the three-cylinder Active, which is the only model that uses a 1.2-liter engine mated exclusively with a five-speed manual. They also get a auto chase, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for another $ 3000.While Active gets steel wheels (albeit with attractive plastic covers almost pass as an alloy) if it does not come well specified, with cruise control, Bluetooth and safety of six airbags and stability control, not to mention a color touchscreen controller for the trip computer and sound system.There's also the year serves to close at $ 270 when the car is under warranty three years.
 Stepping into Allure ($ 21,990 as a manual and $ 23,990 as an auto) and there's dual-zone airconditioning, front arms, LED running lights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and alloy wheels, among other items.There is also a Premium Allure and only three doors Allure Sport ($ 26,490 each), which brings standard features such as larger (17-inch) alloy, sporty looking grille trim and unique. Sport also gets more powerful turbocharged engine.Impressively, there is also a full size spare on all models.But no CD player, while the 208 is the first car to drop technology to save a few shekels, relying on audio streaming and a USB interface for tech-savvy target market.

Under the hood

A characterful three-cylinder engine knock (gently) under the hood of the entry-level 208, but Allure got a more traditional 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Power OK, at 88kW and, if you rev ​​it, the performance of enterprising enough to the city-car standards.But once the revs pass 4000rpm sound less appealing, with a booming roar through the cabin. Long-throw gearbox is also out of keeping with the persona smartly dressed city-car, like his notchiness.That manual shifter also has only five gears, while six will make more than the machine.Equations with auto worse, with only four teeth to offer.Adding to woes performance is modest 160Nm torque, which arrives at 4250rpm less useful.Fuel use is claimed at 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers for the manual (6.7L/100km for the auto), a respected leading classless. During the week we were used around 7.5L/100km.How to driveCorners were 208 friends and does not take much to build it is a competent player through things winding.Suspension relatively tense round hatch well planted, while well weighted, direct steering confirmed as one of the 208 city car more dynamic proficient.Front-wheel-drive dynamics will have a wide front wheels rub if you push too hard in a tight corner, but it was all very predictable.That suspension is not very flexible, but not too loud, and the 208 does the job, well controlled deal with imperfections.Less impressive was the suspension boomy noise that takes the edge of the cabin if ignored, could be a second-class testing on the road.

Comfort and practicalityWelcome to the pinnacle of the 208 - and the city-car class. A peek in the window reveals a collection of trims 208 upscale, well-chosen colors and metallic-look finish exudes the air of prestige.Throw in the occasional shiny finish - like touchscreen surrounding protruding from the top of the dash - and it's elegant cabin.It would not be France without distinctiveness occasional car, the instrument cluster that sits on top of the wheel (rather than directly in front of it) to handle it, as the speedo numbers lost most of our typical speeds (it was marked for 30,, 50 70, 90, 110 km / h, etc.).Fortunately, digital speedo split-crisp looking circular gauges make the shortage.Small door openings front and rear make entry and egress tad harder. In front, in an operating room and wheels, chunky little steering gives a sporty feel, although more upper body chair support would be appreciated.Small storage space works well enough for the type of car, although the glovebox divisions have limited usefulness.Knee room behind the tight and narrow width limit to two in all but emergency situations, although headroom surprisingly accommodating. Boot is on par for the class, making it handier with a split-folding rear seat.Compete with competitors:Ford Fiesta ZetecToyota Yaris YRXVolkswagen Polo 77TSI ComfortlineFrom Issue Toby HagonNational Motoring Editor