New Peugeot 208 due in 2018 with crisp new look ~ station of gear

Exclusive images reveal sharper look for Peugeot 208 supermini to help it rival the Citroen C3 and Ford Fiesta

2016-05-11 09:50

Peugeot will showcase all of its future small-car technology with the next-generation Peugeot 208 supermini, which will usher in an all-new chassis and fresh engines when it makes its debut in 2018.

The existing 208 was facelifted in 2015, but the brand knows rival Citroen is lining up a new C3 for this summer, with new versions of the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta also expected in 2017.

Peugeot’s stated goal is to become “the best high-end generalist brand” – more premium than Citroen but less luxury-focused than DS – so the 208’s styling will become more sophisticated.

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As our exclusive images show, the 208 will replace its existing curves with crisper, straighter lines and Peugeot’s latest family face, with neatly incorporated LED daytime running lights. It will continue to be offered in three and five-door form.

The overall profile of the new generation will be close to that of its larger brother, the 308, although the 208’s overall length will stay at four metres. The front and rear overhangs should be shorter, though, thanks to a longer wheelbase, which should balance out to increase head and legroom inside.

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Image 2 of 4

That extra length will come from the switch to an all-new chassis. Unlike the forthcoming Citroen C3, which will stay on PSA’s existing PF1 supermini platform, the 208 will get a fresh set of components. Called EMP1, the new platform is being developed jointly by the French company’s engineers and technicians from PSA’s Chinese manufacturing partner, Dongfeng.

As with EMP2, which brought significant weight savings to the 308, EMP1 should help the 208 to shed kilos and improve efficiency – it could be up to 100kg lighter, although some of that gain is likely to be ploughed back into a plusher interior.

The engine line-up will bring new generations of PSA’s BlueHDi diesel and PureTech petrol motors. The petrols are expected to be three-cylinder turbos, with power ranging from around 70bhp up to nearly 150bhp for the 1.2-litre version. There will also be a new 1.6 THP petrol in the 208 GTi, offering around 220bhp.

The diesel range will get an even bigger shake-up, as PSA follows the VW Group’s lead in downsizing its 1.6-litre engines to 1.5 litres. Expect power outputs to remain broadly the same, at between 75bhp and 120bhp, but CO2 emissions to fall to less than 75g/km on eco-focused editions.

Inside, Peugeot will further refine its controversial i-Cockpit set-up, while the central infotainment system will be upgraded for quicker responses. Greater smartphone connectivity and other multimedia features will be offered.

French sources suggest that the new 208 could make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in spring 2018.

What do you think of our exclusive images of the new Peugeot 208? Let us know below...

John McIlroy

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