► Subtle nose job for Pug’s supermini
► Public debut at 2015 Geneva show
► New GT Line trim added to the range
Time flies, eh? The Peugeot 208 has already been on sale for three years, and it’s reached its first model update milestone.
On sale in June 2015, the refreshed 208 gets a gentle nose job, cleaner engines and a smattering of equipment upgrades.
Talk me through what’s new on the 2015 Peugeot 208.
Starting on the outside, the grille’s wider and the front bumper’s been swapped for a angrier-looking one with diagonal foglight surrounds. Peugeot’s designers have applied a bit of mascara to the headlights on mid-range Active trim models and above, with new black mouldings behind the glass along with some extra bits of chrome.
They’ve been at the tail-lights too, which now get the same LED ‘claw’ motif as the current 308. Some new wheel designs and shinier mirrors round off the changes.
What about the interior?
That huge touchscreen is now better at talking to different smartphones, Peugeot claims, with a new ‘MirrorScreen’ function and a host of new apps for people who’d rather not concentrate on driving.
And the leather trim in higher spec versions is a bit nicer than before, we’re told.
And the engines?
The whole range now meets the tougher Euro6 emissions standards, with all the diesels ducking under the 95g/km CO2 threshold. Impressive stuff. Peugeot reckons certain versions of the 1.6 BlueHDi diesel can now average 94mpg. Good luck achieving that on the road…
There’s one new petrol engine: a 1.2-litre turbo three-cylinder ‘PureTech’ with 110bhp, and a new swifter-shifting six-speed automatic gearbox option.
Anything else new in Peugeot 208 world?
There’s a new GT Line model, which is designed to look a bit like the 208 GTi while costing less and not going as fast. It looks racier than the standard 208, with 17-inch alloys and red bits in the grille, along with sports seats, aluminium pedals and other hot-hatchy bits in the cabin.
As for the 208 GTi itself, Peugeot’s decided the limited-edition GTi 30th model can stay. It’s now called the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport, and keeps its fantastic Torsen differential, sticky tyres and bespoke suspension settings. Unfortunately, it also keeps that half-red, half-black paint option.
The updated Peugeot 208 will be on show at the 2015 Geneva motor show – click here for our A-Z guide to the show.