Hatchbacks may be a dying breed but Peugeot hopes to steal some of the market share from the definitive b-segment leader; the Volkswagen Polo. The attractive Peugeot 208 1.2T could be one last hoorah for compact, city-based, people-movers in our local market for the brand.
Although the little French lion was born to the world over two years ago, the peppy model has only spent half that time in our local market but has become a key product in securing more market share for Peugeot. The nimble hatch doesn’t look anything like it competes against and that is perhaps the highest compliment the design team can be paid.
The French, with their compact b-segment competitor opted for a bold design that incorporates many of the now characteristic exterior details of the brand. The front boasts the LED ‘fang’ DRL’s which span from below the headlights to the bottom of the bumper while the rear end uses the illusion of a dark light bar which spans the width of the car with each flank employing the “three-claw” 3D LED rear tailights.
The overall aesthetic is striking and aggressive, uncommon on a small city-car that intends on appealing to the masses however Peugeot seem to have gotten the recipe right since the 208 has enticed buyers back to the brand. The rest of the exterior is as you’d expect it, with the entire range, barring the 208 GT, equipped with 16-inch rims and fairly chunky tyres that soak up most road imperfections. The test model shown here was fitted with the two-tone SOHO alloys wrapped in Continental rubber.
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The Peugeot 208 1.2T can be had in a range of eight colours with the most striking being Faro Yellow and Elixir Red, shown here. These colours paired with the gloss black details and chrome accents found fore and aft give the b-hatch some elegant contrast.
Getting behind the driver’s seat offers an experience that is seemingly unrivalled in the affordable hatch segment. The interior of the Allure is premium and offers a plush, welcoming experience. Intersecting surfaces and contouring forms create a perception of depth on the dashboard while a smaller than normal steering wheel greets the driver with an elevated instrument cluster above.
It may not be to everyone’s taste but the two-spoke steering wheel with button functionality is a tactile and minimal work of art, worthy of finding a home in the Louvre. The only gripe is that the top of it may obstruct correctly viewing the i-Cockpit depending on the height set by the driver.
The showstopper on the interior is without question the 3D i-Cockpit which configurable in the Peugeot 208 1.2T Allure. The infotainment system which flanks it offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen replication which means you can easily play your beats through the ample speaker system.
The attractive Peugeot 208 1.2T may just be the answer for earning a stronger market share in the waning segment and if anyone asks, it does drive as good as it looks!
