2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV FULL ROAD TEST

 

We have all been hearing over the past few years that Hybrids are the way forward, we even agreed last month when we tried Peugeot’s HYbrid4 technology in the 3008. With an increasing number of clever Hybrid models cropping up is there still a place for zero calorie cars such a Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV?

I was nervous at the prospect of trying an all-electric car which was pretty irrational really. It’s just comforting to know that under the bonnet you have a conventional petrol or diesel engine that makes all the right noises and can be quickly refuelled at my local service station. But still I dealt with the fear to find out what the i-MiEV has to offer.

What is it?

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The I-MiEV is a full electric version Mitsubishi’s i city car – or Kei car as they are known Japan – that was launched in the UK in early 2010. It was the UK’s first mass produced full Electric Vehicle (EV). When compared to European city car rivals the i-MiEV’s design is very different as it is rear wheel drive with its batteries concealed neatly under the rear seats. Even the petrol variant (simply called i) has its small 659cc petrol engine in the same location. This enabled Mitsubishi to create a cab-forward, wheel-at-each-corner design with next-to-no front overhang meaning surprisingly good passenger space. Powering the tiny i-MiEV is a 49kw permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 188Nm of torque with a claimed maximum range of 93 miles.  Power is delivered through a one-speed fixed gear CVT transmission with on-board regenerative braking system. There is only one version on sale which costs £28,990 which with the governments “plug-in grant” allowance brings the consumer price down to £23,990. Standard equipment includes leather seats, Kenwood touchscreen navigation/dvd/cd/Bluetooth media system, reversing camera, air conditioning, automatic lights, LED rear lights and alloy wheels. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Traction Control and Mitsubishi Active Stability Control (ASC) 

Rivals: Nissan Leaf, Peugeot 107, Volkswagen UP!

Key Features

• Heated leather seats
• 15” alloy wheels
• Automatic lights
• Electric front and rear windows
• Kenwood navigation/dvd/cd/media system
• ABS, EBD and Brake Assist
• Reversing Camera
• Air conditioning
• 90 mile range (claimed)

Looking at images in magazines is one thing but seeing the i-MiEV in person is quite different, when I first clapped eyes on it I was pleasantly surprised. Here was a diddy little car with some really rather strange proportions, it has no front overhand or bonnet  as such, more of a Smart ForTwo front end. The wheels are pushed as far out to the corners of the car as possible with an a-pillar that sweeps seamlessly back towards the rear of the car where a pair of clear light units sit either side of the rear window. Attractive 15” alloy wheels avoid looking too small but what’s most strange is the width of the i-MiEV; or lack of it – at only 1475mm wide compared to its height at 1610mm its one of the most uniquely proportioned cars on the road. We would however leave the garish body stickers on the options list.

Unique profile couldn't be mistaken for anything else on the road

Narrow body can clearly be seen at the rear but clear tail-lights an neat spoiler look good

Inside is a bit of a surprise to those of a nervous disposition as our test car came with bright red leather not only on the seats but also on the centre console and gear shifter with matching red stitching. Some will undoubtedly appreciate the brash interior but we were not keen.  

Everything else about the interior is relatively inoffensive; all of the major controls are where you would expect to find them, with the exception of the heated seats switch which for some reason is located under the dashboard. The i-MiEV does without traditional dials and instead has a simple power gauge which usefully shows when the cars regenerative braking system is charging its own batteries. There is also an electric meter in place of a fuel gauge and a separate gauge showing remaining range. Its simplicity is to be admired.

Sadly the i-MiEV has been left behind the times when it comes to interior build quality especially compared to recent Mitsubishis. Although covering the dashboard in leather may look upmarket unfortunately our test cars had come unstuck so was rippled and looked tatty, also the red leather covered trim section around the navigation system and heater controls came off in our hands. Although on delivery we were made aware of the problems with the leather it still isn’t very encouraging of a car with a list price of over £20,000. Furthermore everything else in the cabin is made of cheap flimsy feeling plastic that doesn’t give a solid impression which is a real shame.

Colour scheme won't be to everyone's taste, its certainly different.

Gauges couldn't be simpler and work well

Rear accommodation is generous and comfortable seats can be individually reclined

What the i-MiEV does do very well is accommodate four lanky adults in relative comfort. Rear leg and headroom is generous due to that lengthy wheelbase and space in the front is equally good. We were however quite surprised that the steering wheel lacked any adjustment but the driver’s seat could be raised or lowered making a comfortable driving position easy to find. Visibility was also really good making it easy to judge the ends of the car. Boot space was another plus at a competitive 235 litres with the seats up despite the hefty electric motor sitting under the boot floor.

To drive the i-MiEV is quite different from a combustion engine car. The complete lack of noise from the powertrain bar a very faint whir takes some getting used to but not as much as the instant power.  At first it’s a little startling as- unlike conventional engines- electric motors produce their maximum torque – in this case 180Nm – from standstill making for outstanding performance. Acceleration is also seamless as the i-MiEV has no gears. Once over this the rest of the driving experience is relatively normal.

Around town the car is in its element, its narrow body and peppy performance is a real bonus making darting around easy. Comfort at these speeds is also good with a supple ride that deals with urban potholes well and a hushed cabin. Take the i-MiEV out of the city and its lack of dynamic prowess becomes evident. Faster A-roads are ok, it’s able to pick up speed nicely and is happy to cruise along at the national speed limit providing it’s not too windy. When it is the narrow tracks front and rear make the i-MiEV all too susceptible to crosswinds trying to blow it off course.

Country roads are perhaps best avoided completely as the cars tiny 145 width tyres at the front make it feel overly springy and completely lacking in stability. There is also a hair-raising lack of grip around corners causing bucket loads of understeer that the stability control fails to reign in. 

With a claimed range of 93 miles from a full charge – taking 7 hours if charging from your main electric at home- the i-MiEV could be the perfect car for the majority of daily journeys. Whilst with us the most we managed to get out of the batteries was 67 miles when driven very carefully with the gauge in Eco mode and around 50 miles when not. This means that for my daily commute of 20 or so miles per day I would need to charge the car every day which wouldn’t really be practical. For those who -unlike me -live in the city the range would be perfectly adequate especially as more Fast Charge points pop up around the country resulting in a 30 minute wait for batteries charged to 80%.

 It’s also worth considering that a full charge at home only costs £1-£2 dependant on electric tariff which means over 12,000 miles the cost would only be £270; a massive saving over petrol-powered cars, add in road tax and congestion charge exemption along with free parking in a number of locations and the steep asking price starts to look more attractive.

Words and Photos by Rob McSorley

Technical Data 

Price as tested: £28,990 (£23,990 including government contribution)

Engine: 49kw (66bhp) permanent magnet synchronous motor - 0-62mph: 13 secs - Maximum Speed: 87 mph -

Economy: 93 mile range (claimed) - Emissions: 0g/km (Band A) - VED (12 months): £0

Dimensions: Length: 3475mm - Width: 1475mm - Height: 1610mm - Wheelbase: 2550mm

The Verdict 3/5

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a thoroughly though-provoking ownership proposition offering city dwellers a real alternative to conventional petrol engined cars with its low running costs. It’s a spacious car with plenty of room for four adults and decent luggage space. Add in peppy performance and good levels of comfort around town and its case becomes even stronger. Unfortunately there are a handful of glaring weaknesses that the i-MiEV has. Its limited range and extortionate asking price will be a turn-off for many. As will its lack of ability to deal with a variety of driving environments such as country roads that other city cars do so well. Whether the tiny running costs can offset the high asking price is a real talking point however you have to admire Mitsubishi’s bold move launching the i-MiEV and there is no doubt that it will - and probably already has- paved the way for a whole new generation of EVs.

You will like

Funky looks

Cabin Space

Silent, swift performance

Tiny running costs

You won’t like

Lack of dynamic ability

High price

Poorly built cabin

Special Thanks to; Mitsubishi Motors, Watermoor, Cirencester, GL7 1LF

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob Mcsorley (mrrobertmcsorley@gmail.com).

2013 Kia Carens PREVIEWED

 

Ahead of its official world premiere at the Paris Motorshow in September Kia have released first images of its all-new Carens compact MPV.

The Carens is the next model in Kia's impressive range to feature styling by Peter Schreyer. It takes cues from the recently launch new Cee’d, the new car is a world away from the conventional boxy look of the current car. Kia describes the design as “completely fresh, sleek, cab-forward design, lower roofline, longer wheelbase, larger wheels”. 

The current Carens originally went on sale in 2006 and along with the Sedona is the last of the old generation of cars. Unfortunately for Kia it failed to attract much attention away from established competitors due to its lacklustre design and engineering which is set to change with the new model.

As yet it isn’t confirmed which platform the new Carens will use but it is highly likely that it will be based on the same architecture as the Cee’d which should mean big improvements in  comfort, agility and refinement. Like the current car there will be 5 and 7-seat versions with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines to choose form. Prices are likely to mirror the current car stating at around £15,000 which in combination with Kia’s industry-leading 7 year 100,000 warranty should make for an attractive ownership proposition.

Further details will emerge at the new cars launch conference on 27^th September 2012 at 17h:30 (CET)

 

2012 Peugeot 208 FULL ROAD TEST

The b-segment or supermini class has always been a tough market sector to compete in due to the sheer number of entries and the superb talent on offer. Big hitters such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo have ruled the roost for a while now and serve up a compelling blend of comfort, refinement and practicality all wrapped up in a compact package. 

Rewind to the 1980’s and it was Peugeot that lead the class with its iconic 205, a car that rivals couldn’t even come close to matching on the road with its simply brilliant chassis. Ever since, each successor has been compared to the 205 which isn’t entirely fair as todays cars are built to offer comfort, safety and refinement unheard of in the 205’s day. Despite this Peugeot themselves are drawing on the heritage of its 2-series cars including the 205 with its new 208 – is it finally time to welcome a modern interpretation of the 205 to the market? We get behind the wheels of two models at the 208’s Manchester launch to find out if it’s any good.

What is it?

The 208 is Peugeot’s supermini competitor and replacement for the much-loved 207. Its sole objective is to rewrite the rulebook and topple class supremoes the Fiesta and Polo amongst others. Based on the same platform as the 207 the 208 has been reengineered from the ground up and promises to offer a thrilling drive with far superior styling, refinement, comfort and interior space than before. There are a wide array of engines and trims to choose from to cater for all budgets. The range kicks off with the base 1.0 VTi Access 3^rd which costs £9,995 and comes generously equipped with LED rear lights, electric front windows, remote door locking, cruise control, CD player with audio jack, 6 airbags, ABS and ESP. Next up is Access+ starting at £11,345, then Active at £11,695, Allure at £13,995 and sitting at the top of the range is the Feline at £15,945. From launch the 208 is offered in both three and five door guises with the latter commanding a £500 premium over the three door.  A mix of diesel and petrol engines are available; the new 3-cylinder petrol units emit less than 99g/km co2 and all of the diesels between 87 – 99g/km. At the launch we got behind the wheel of the 1.2 VTi 82 Active five door and 1.6 VTi 120 Allure three door.

Rivals: Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Kia Rio, Mazda 2, Renault Clio, Seat Ibiza

Key Features

• Alloy wheels
• Air conditioning
• Cruise control
• 7” Touchscreen satellite navigation
• Bluetooth connectivity
• ABS & ESP
• Heated door mirrors
• Fog lights
• Daytime running lights

Everyone remembers the 207, although it wasn’t a bad looking car with its massive gaping-mouth grill capable of swallowing children and feline headlights it also wasn’t particularly athletic looking. Thankfully the new 208 changes this. 

At the front there is a much better proportioned “floating” grill with a smooth bumper and very technical looking headlights that sweep back deep into the wings. In profile the cars reduced bulk is evident with much neater front and rear overhangs and attractive body creases that differentiate the three and five door – the wheel designs are all new and all-the-better for it. The rear isn’t lacking in flair either with claw-shaped LED rear lights a chunky bumper and neatly integrated “PEUGEOT” emblem nestled under the rear window. It’s a very successful design that looks slender, modern and sporty – all words that couldn’t be used to describe the 207 before it.

(Allure 3dr) Front end is perfectly executed especially compared to the 207

(Allure 3dr) Floating grill suits the front of the 208 well, it looks classy too

Led rear lights look very modern

(Allure 3dr) A definite nod to the iconic 205

(Allure 3dr) Neat design touches can be found everywhere

(Active 5dr) 5 door is less sporty than 3 door especially in Active trim

Inside you could say that Peugeot has ripped up the rulebook. The main focus is the 7” touchscreen infotainment system that takes pride of place in the centre of the dash. What makes the 208 unique is the location of its dials which sit on-top of the dashboard; the steering wheel has been shrunk so that the driver looks over-rather than through it-to see the dials. It’s a setup that has received mixed reactions but we found it perfectly fine to use, all of the gauges were clearly visible and the tiny steering wheel felt fantastic to hold.

The rest of the cabin is more conventional with swooping surfaces and classy looking materials. The ambience is lifted by metallic effect highlights along with polished black plastic door panels and centre console to create a sophisticated environment to spend time in. Everything is logically laid out and clearly labelled as we expect these days and there were plenty of cubbies around the cabin.

Peugeot have raved about the quality of the interior and quite rightly so – their most recent crop of models have been superbly screwed together and constructed of quality materials throughout – enough to worry the Germans. The 208 isn’t quite so impressive. Admittedly there is nothing wrong with build quality itself, everything feels built-to-last and there wasn’t a single trim rattle on the two cars we drove, the problem is the use materials. The face of the dashboard is nice and squidgy but the majority of the door panel area, lower dash section and dash-top further back are all made of thin, hard plastic that feels really low rent. It’s funny as the materials found in the 207 felt more premium.

(Allure 3dr) Cabin is classy, modern and like nothing else in this class

Infotainment system looks great and is easy to operate

Dials wouldn't look out of place in an executive car

(Allure 3dr) Armrest is nice to see in this class of car

As the press blurb says interior space is much better than before and we have to agree. We found the driving position perfect, space up-front was ample and space in the rear was also surprisingly good for this class of car, the additional 5cm of rear legroom really does exist. Comfort levels are good, the leather seats in the Allure model we drove were well shaped and held passengers nicely in place when cornering. The seats in the Active model however weren’t so good, they felt overly soft and lacked support and during cornering it was all-too-easy to almost fall off them. Access to the rear of the 3 door model was also very good with lots of forward movement of the front seats. Boot space is also up on its predecessor and very few will need more space. 

We were most anxious about how the 208 would drive, much has been promised in the past and sadly driving thrills were not delivered. First impressions are very positive.

Sitting at the helm of the 208 clutching the tiny steering wheel it instantly feels sporty. The moment you set of the cars ride comfort is instantly evident. In true French tradition the ride is supple and controlled shrugging off bumps with ease. Only large, deep potholes upset composure but no more than any of its rivals. All of the controls feel light – perhaps overly light for our tastes but are easy to operate; the steering is particularly responsive and is nicely weighted only lacking that final notch of feedback that rivals such as the Fiesta offer. The pedals are nicely spaced and operate smoothly, unfortunately the gearbox didn’t impress with its slack, rubbery action and lack of a sixth ratio which is disappointing for a brand new model.

Show the 208 a series of corners and it rewards feeling poised and agile with plenty of grip. Body control is tight and turn-in is also very impressive. It’s a fun car to pilot helped by its reduced weight and only starts to lack composure when really pushed hard evoking understeer. Despite the decent handling refinement levels are also very good with minimal road and wind noise even at motorway speeds. Standard fit cruise control is also impressive in this class of car.

The two powertrains we tried couldn’t be more different. You would expect the most impressive to be the larger-capacity 1.6 VTi but this wasn’t the case. Although it proved punchy most of the time with its 120bhp at 4250bhp it felt overly lethargic and lacked throttle response. It also needed to be really worked hard to get the most out of it sending an unsavoury engine note into the cabin.

The tiny 1.2 82bhp 3-cylinder unit however couldn’t be more different even if it did only have 82bhp available at 2750rpm. Firstly as we have experienced with other 3-cylinder engines the soundtrack on offer is a joy to hear although it never became intrusive in the 208 thanks to great sound proofing. It proved incredible flexible around town pulling cleanly in 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th gear at speeds of around 25-35mph and never felt underpowered. Instead power delivery was beautifully linear and economy was superb during our drive at around 50 mpg.

 Words and Photos by Rob McSorley 

Technical Data


1.6 VTi 120 Allure (3dr)

Price as tested: £16,680

Engine: 1.6 16v 120bhp - 0-62mph: 10.9 secs - Maximum Speed: 118mph -

Economy: 34.9mpg (urban) –62.8mpg (extra-urban), 48.7mpg (combined) - Emissions: 134g/km (Band E) - VED (12 months): £120

Dimensions: Length: 3962mm - Width: 2004mm - Height: 1460mm - Wheelbase: 2538mm

1.2 VTi 82 Active (5dr)

Price as tested: £13,510

Engine: 1.2 12v 82bhp - 0-62mph: 14.0 secs - Maximum Speed: 109mph -

Economy: 51.4mpg (urban) –72.4mpg (extra-urban), 62.8mpg (combined) - Emissions: 99g/km (Band A) - VED (12 months): £0

Dimensions: Length: 3962mm - Width: 2004mm - Height: 1460mm - Wheelbase: 2538mm

The Verdict 4/5

We are looking forward to driving the 208 for a longer period of time to see what its really like to live with but initial impressions are really rather good. Firstly it’s a really great looking hatchback that will stand out from the crowd but still manages to look mature and sophisticated at the same time. Inside the cabin is well designed, intuitively laid out and is only let down by sub-standard materials used on far too many of the surfaces. We really loved the position of the dials and the miniature steering wheel; it’s a novel idea that actually works really well. On the road the 208 really is a generation ahead of the 207. It feels agile, comfortable and is genuinely decent to drive. It may ultimately lack the level of composure and chuckability of the Fiesta but for most it will be more than adequate. We really didn't like the five speed gearbox but luckily a six speed alternative can be found elsewhere in the range.  Refinement levels also impressed making the 208 a perfect car for motorway driving.  Later in the year we will be driving the diesel powerplants to find out how good they are but for the moment we would highly recommend the 208 to anyone in the market for a fun, stylish small car.

You will like

Striking looks

Funky interior

Agile, comfortable chassis

Interior space

You won’t like

Some cheap interior trim

Sloppy 5-speed gearbox

Uninspiring 1.6 VTi engine

Special Thanks to; Peugeot Motor Company PLC, Pinley House, 2 Sunbeam Way, Coventry CV3 1ND 

2013 SEAT Leon REVEALED

Despite a sneaky photo being leaked from the SEAT factory at the end of last week today SEAT have taken the wraps off their all-new third generation Leon.

Seen here in all its glory the new Leon trades it’s smooth, curvy shape for a more edgy and angular look not dissimilar to its smaller Ibiza brother. At the front there are angular – first-in-class full LED – headlights and aggressive air intakes. In profile the new Leon is very different from before with its sharp creases and a wheelbase that has increased by six centimetres despite an overall decrease in length of five centimetres. The rear also has visual links with the Ibiza with its pointy rear lights that sit under a deep hip-crease along with a heavily sculpted lower bumper.

Inside SEAT has made equally drastic changes, again gone is the soft, rounded look to be replaced with a more civilised yet sophisticated two-tone interior with a centre console angled towards the driver bringing all of the controls in easy reach. SEAT is making a lot of noise about its 5 inch (or 5.8 inch upgrade) touch screen Easy Connect infotainment unit that sits neatly in the centre of the dash controlling the sound system, vehicle functions and a navigation system on higher spec models. Cabin materials are said to have been significantly improved with increased cabin space all-round including a 380 litre boot – up 40 litres over the previous model.

Using the Volkswagen Group’s cutting-edge new MQB platform the new Leon promises significantly better comfort and sporty handling. This platform has already been seen on the new Audi A3 and will soon appear on the next-gen VW Golf and Skoda Octavia. There are unusually two different suspension setups both with MacPherson struts up front. Models with up to 148 bhp will use a torsion bar and more powerful models will get a multi-link arrangement similar to that seen on the new VW Beetle. SEAT is also introducing its new SEAT Drive Profile which enables drivers to alter various driving characteristics such as power steering, throttle control and engine sound (FR only) via three modes; Eco, Comfort and Sport. The cars interior ambient lighting also changes from white to red.

A large array of fuel-efficient TDi and TSi engines will be available from 1.2 to 2.0 litres. Ecomotive 1.6 litre diesel unit will return 74.3 mpg on average and emit just 99g/km co2 – in contrast the re-engineered 2.0 TDi will return 70.6 mph in Ecomotive trim despite producing 148 bhp. Petrol engines available with be two 1.2 TSi units with 85 and 104 bhp; a 1.4 TSi with 120 bhp and at the top of the range a 1.8 TSi with 178 bhp.

The transmissions on offer will be a mix of five or six speed manual gearboxes or Volkswagens six and seven speed DSG dual-clutch gearboxes.

Not only is the Leon an all-new design but it is also the very first SEAT model to feature the company’s revised corporate badge. The badge has been simplified to appear “cleaner and purer” and will appear on all SEAT models over the coming months

The new Leon is likely to go on sale at the beginning of 2013 with prices in the region of £14,500 for base models rising to £26,000 for the plushest models.

2012 Peugeot 208 Press LAUNCH

Monday 18^th June 2012 was a very important day for the Peugeot UK Public Relations team; it was the first of a five day launch of their brand new 208 ‘B’ (Supermini) segment car. At first glance you could be fooled into thinking that the 208 is a subtle evolution of the previous 207 but as the launch progressed it was easy to see that Peugeot is pinning a lot on their new model.

The location for the event was MediaCity situated at Salford Quays on the Banks of Manchester’s historic ship canal. A centre for “Regeneration” – a word we would hear a lot of during the course of the launch – MediaCity is home to the BBC, ITV, Coronation Street and the University of Salford. Over the coming year many more TV studios will also be relocating from London to MediaCity bringing much needed income, interest and media attention to the area. After a 150 minute, 143 mile drive from Sunny Oxfordshire the location of the launch instantly impressed with its mix of cutting edge architecture and beautiful waterfront location.

On arrival we booked into the hotel – the rather nice, brand new Holiday Inn - then made our way down to the bar to chin-wag with the Peugeot UK PR Team and other fellow motoring scribers in anticipation of what the coming 24 hours would encompass. Shortly after we were off for a VIP tour of the BBC film studios – which was more interesting than expected – a particular highlight was sitting on the Blue Peter sofa!

Later in the evening we were chaperoned to a studio set up for Peugeot’s use for the launch. There were three sections; the first was rather lavishly decorated in 80’s memorabilia such as rubix cubes, ghetto blasters, news articles and retro sweets. We were greeted by more VIP treatment in the form of champagne and canapés and were given a chance to have a look around. Nestled within this section was a new-looking Peugeot 205 which was said to have 26,000 miles on its clock and was nothing short of stunning. Sitting inside reminded us of how far car have come in recent years. The 2^nd section was a 90’s theme with an equally well maintained 206 surrounded by 90’s photos and news articles. Further on predictably a naughties section had a pristine 207 which probably got the least attention. 

Next we were guided to the dining table ready for our really rather delicious three course meal with no shortage of wine and our very own cocktail girl – who was ready to mix any 80’s concoction that we could image. Conversation was incidentally centred around the new 208 which stood proudly on a podium behind us, for most this was our first glimpse of the car in person and first impressions were overwhelmingly positive. It was great to chat to the UK PR team over dinner, some of which I had met (Craig Morrow & Kevin Jones) and other that I hadn’t (Andrew Didlick, Steven Fahey and Janet Brace).  It’s always enjoyable talking over Peugeot’s past-and-present and the PR Team were very eager to hear our opinions of Peugeot’s recent crop of models. It was also good to meet a range of fellow writers from various different backgrounds and publications with no shortage of conversation. After most of us had drunk far too much it was time to retire ready for a busy day in the company of the 208 range that we has heard so much about.

The “2” Series History

It’s no secret that the original – and best? – small car in Peugeot’s history is the iconic 205 which Peugeot managed to shift 425,000 units in the UK. The 205 – launched in 1983 - was lightweight, cheap, very stylish and handled like nothing else at the time – or even now. It instantly became a massive success and since has become an icon – even more-so in GTi spec. 

In 1998 this was then followed up by the very different 206 that went on to sell 645,000 units in the UK – making it the bestselling car in the marques history with 7.7 million cars sold to date and still selling across the world (in the form of the 206+ in some countries). The 206 introduced high levels of comfort and refinement to the Supermini sector along with a class leading 4 star safety rating. Not forgetting individual – undeniably feline looks and tidy handling that cemented its success. The 206 always featured in the UK top ten sales charts right up until its replacement arrived. 

2006 saw the launch of the logically named 207 which built on the 206’s strengths raising the bar further with even better comfort, refinement and safety but this was at the expense of driving prowess which Peugeot have been renowned for over the years and rivals such as Ford’s Fiesta so do easily. The 207 was also much larger than the 206 which was already much larger than the 205 so it was a heavy car making it feel underpowered in some engine specifications and agility suffered equally. Still Peugeot sold 302,000 units in the UK which although a healthy number is much lower than the 206 despite the addition of a stylish CC (hard-top coupe) and SW (small estate).

To anyone looking at the progression from 205 – 206 – 207 it was easy to see that something had to change if Peugeot were to steal back their slice of the market from the likes of Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and MINI – all of whom currently top the sale chart in this market.

Media Presentation

The next morning we were up bright an early for breakfast and then it was back to Peugeot’s studio for a series of presentations focusing on the innovations and journey taken to create the new 208. As with any media launch there is always the usual brand hype surrounding the more useful information us motoring moguls hanker for. The buzz word was “Regeneration” – a word we heard many times during the presentation. With the 208 Peugeot have accepted that “simple renewal is no longer enough” so their key aim with the car has been “a true generation leap”

According to Peugeot the key to the 208’s success is going to be its architectural efficiency. Bucking the trend set by the last two generations of superminis the 208 is actually 7cm shorter and 1cm lower than the 207 yet has more interior space - 5cm more rear legroom and a bigger boot. Even more impressively the car is leaner with an average kerb weight 114kg lighter than before; on some models the difference is as much as 173kg. This has been made possible thanks to a strict weight saving program with increased use of Very High Strength Steel (VHSS), Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) and soundproofing of the engine at source. As with most replacement models the new 208 is also more aerodynamic helping boost economy.

There was a lot said about the look of the new car. Peugeot have recently introduced a new styling direction first seen on the larger 508 and the 208 follows on from this. The styling is described as “free-flowing without interruption of embellishment” from the end of the bonnet to the boot. It’s stressed that no unnecessary elements were permitted keeping the design simple and pure. At the front is what Peugeot call a “floating” style grill and bumpers that appear “feline, sporty, rich and refined” with edgy LEDs headlights. One of the more interesting features is the “veritable spine” which is a crease that “bites” into the top of the windscreen and continues over the roof and down onto the boot lid. At the rear the car has rear lights that Peugeot describe as “three illuminated claws with their boomerang shape”. For the first time 3 and 5 door models look rather different from each other with different panel surfacing and window lines to appeal to different buyers.

From inside the 208 Peugeot tell us that buyers will really see and feel the improvements. Quality is said to have made a big jump with classier materials which is encouraging considering the current 207 isn’t badly put together. Central to the new cars push upmarket is a 7 inch colour touchscreen infotainment system which controls the cars stereo, on-board computer as well as navigation in higher trims not forgetting and range of internet apps to follow. Another unique feature will be the instrument binnacle that is sits on top of the dashboard combined with a small diameter steering wheel “increasing comfort and safety by eliminating the need for the driver to take their eyes of the road”. Unusually the instruments are viewed by looking over the steering wheel and not through it.

Where the 208 is promised to make equally large strides is in the way it drives, its promised to “offer a new balance of road holding and comfort” made possible from the “compactness and reduced weight”. Although based on the same platform as the 207 it’s said to have been extensively honed to suit more demanding buyers requirements taking elements of the original 205 and “reimagining” them.

The engines on offer in the 208 are mix of current and new units consisting of two diesel engines – all producing less than 99g/km co2 and five petrol units. All have been meticulously engineered to offer class leading economy, performance and refinement.

208 diesel range:

- 1.4 l HDi FAP 68bhp, 160Nm,  5-speed manual; CO2: 98g/km,74.3mpg

- 1.4 l e-HDi FAP 68bhp, 160Nm, EGC Stop & Start; CO2: 87g/km,83.1mpg

- 1.6 l e-HDi FAP 92bhp, 230Nm, 5-speed manual Stop&Start; CO2: 98g/km, 74.3mpg

- 1.6 l e-HDi FAP 92bhp, 230Nm, EGC Stop&Start; CO2: 98g/km, 74.3mpg

- 1.6 l e-HDi FAP 115bhp, 285Nm (1), 6-speed manual; CO2: 99g/km,74.3mpg

208 petrol range:

- 1.0l VTi 68bhp; 95Nm, 5-speed manual; CO2: 99g/km, 65.7mpg

- 1.2l VTi 82bhp; 118Nm, 5-speed manual; CO2: 104g/km, 62.8mpg

- 1.4l VTi 95bhp; 136Nm, 5-speed manual; CO2: 129g/km, 50.4mpg

- 1.6 litre VTi 120bhp; 160Nm, 5-speed; CO2: 134 g/km, 48.7mpg

- 1.6 litre THP 156bhp, 240/260(1)Nm, 6-speed manual; CO2: 135 g/km),48.7mpg

 (1) Value with overboost

After the presentation it was time to get out there and see what all the hype was about and get behind the wheel. Eight models of varying specs and engines were available to drive over various routes with a mixture of urban and rural roads. There was enough time to drive two models with lunch in-between which enable us to evaluate the cars abilities.

Words by Rob McSorley

Photos by Uygar Kilic (www.CarsandLife.net)

 

READ THE VERDICT ON THE NEW 208 <<CLICK HERE>>

A special thanks to the Peugeot UK PR Team for their generous invitation for Rob McSorley on CARS to attend this important press event.