Peugeot 2008 - Minor Fixes
Sometimes it takes so little to make a car look modern and attractive again after a few years of production. Peugeot's small crossover has undergone a delicate facelift, but despite some market experience, it's still an attractive proposition.
You don’t need to convince anyone of the growing popularity of small crossovers; just take to the streets of any European city. Success was determined by associations with respectable SUVs, a tall, and therefore roomy and easy-to-use body, and... small dimensions. Large SUVs, in addition to their high price, are not very convenient in narrow alleys and require fairly long and wide parking spaces. It is not surprising that manufacturers are offering more and more compact SUVs, and buyers are willing to buy them. In three years, the 2008 model sold almost 600 units. copies, although it must be admitted that it is honestly produced in China, which helped it achieve such an impressive result.
The 2008 model is Peugeot's smallest crossover to date. With a body length of only 4,16 meters, it is easy to park and maneuver too, because limited maneuverability is no longer a problem for modern models of the French brand. However, if we're used to a B-segment car, 2008 might seem quite wide at 1,83m wide, a value found in C and D-segment models.
But no one promised a microcar. In contrast, 2008 combines urban size with the spaciousness and feel of driving a much larger car. One feature meant to enhance the feeling of being in touch with a relatively large vehicle is the raised rear roofline. It may remind someone of the Land Rover Discovery, but in Peugeot it is purely stylistic. The roof pillars are raised and the roof itself remains flat along its entire length.
The changes are not big, although noticeable. The front panel has been enriched with a new, more expressive radiator grille, on which the company badge has been moved from the hood. It is installed almost vertically, which makes the lion again look intimidating and respectable. The rear lights have retained their characteristic external shape, but the appearance of the inserts has changed. In keeping with the brand's latest stylistic philosophy, three vertically arranged red lights protrude from under the transparent lampshade, which should be associated with the marks of a lion's claws. For reference, it should be added that the front bumper has been redesigned, although both versions look almost the same. The offer will also include two new lacquer shades - Ultimate red, known from the 308 GTi model, and Emerald green.
There are three trim levels: Access, Active and Allure. New in the offer is the top-end GT Line equipment. It should give a sporty character, although in this case there were accents useful in the field or in tight parking lots. The chrome moldings are replaced with black ones, and the wheel arches are protected by additional moldings. Scratching them is always easier than scratching or even bending the wings. Unfortunately, it is not known if the GT Line will appear on the Polish market. If so, you should expect the price to fluctuate around 100. zloty.
Controversial i-Cockpit
A small steering wheel with a clock visible above its rim debuted on the 208 in 2012. A year later, it found its way into the 2008 model. Not all drivers are convinced of this concept, but if you take a little time to properly position the seat and steering wheel, it turns out that with a little steering you can feel really good. the wheel is in your hands. A new feature is the multimedia system compatible with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink, provided for more expensive versions.
The French know how to design a practical body, and 2008 is the best example of this. Let's start from the end. Access to the trunk is closed by a wide rear hatch descending to a low-lying bumper. Thanks to this, the loading threshold is only 60 cm high. The trunk has an impressive capacity of 410 liters for this class, which can be folded up to 1400 liters. The height and width of the car almost automatically guarantee enough room for all five passengers, although the rear seat is not the most comfortable. The engineers attributed a small minus to the rear shelf, which does not rise with the hatch. If we need to pack something more, we have to pick up something ourselves or take it out completely. I confess that saving on two threads connecting the shelf with the valve is completely incomprehensible.
Grip Control i M+S
An interesting solution that will soon appear in larger Peugeot crossovers is the optional Grip Control system. System available for engines from 100 hp. and above, replaces XNUMX-axle drive, which is not offered on this model. A drive that would significantly increase the weight of the car and its price. This, in turn, will lead to a low popularity of such a solution. Therefore, the engineers proposed a system that, in most cases, will help the driver overcome light off-road conditions.
Use the knob to select one of five programs: road, winter, off-road, desert and with ESP disabled. Depending on the road surface, engine torque control and front wheel brakes are redesigned to optimize the process of starting off and “punching” obstacles. For example, the sand driving mode limits the engine speed at startup, which prevents it from deepening, but when the car accelerates, it allows you to fully use the engine's potential, which electronics would not allow in normal mode. In winter mode, however, the steering has been tuned so that the drive wheel with the most grip gets the most torque.
To enhance the off-road performance of Grip Control vehicles, they are factory fitted with Goodyear Vector 4Seasons all-season tires with the M+S (Mud and Snow) marking and winter tire approval.
Three cylinders or diesel
There was an advertisement for the Peugeot 308 in which a smug engineer forgoes one cylinder. Until now in 2008, it was possible to pay extra for a 1.6 VTi engine with a "kit" of four pistons - now only the three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech petrol engine will be included in the offer. It is available in a naturally aspirated 82 hp version. or in a 110 hp supercharged version. or 130 hp However, from the point of view of comfort, this does not matter much, because the work culture of this unit is very high. During my first rides, I had the opportunity to test the most powerful variant available only with a manual transmission, which is full of energy. In the catalog it can accelerate a small Peugeot to 200 km/h. However, sporty drivers may be disappointed because the driving feel is not very sporty despite the rather stiff suspension. To use the potential of the engine, you need to spin it in a big way and listen to the sounds characteristic of the three cylinders.
When looking for a four-cylinder engine, you need to look at the diesel engine offer. It is essentially a single 1.6 BlueHDi engine, offered in three power levels: 75 HP, 100 HP. and 120 hp However, they are all combined with manual boxes. The automatic transmission will not enter the Polish market, fans of the classic automatic transmission will be able to order it with a gasoline version with a capacity of 110 hp.
For customers who have chosen more expensive configurations, additional equipment is provided to ensure safety and comfort. Peugeot 2008 can be equipped with Active City Brake, which minimizes the risk of an accident due to driver inattention, or Park Assist, which helps him park.
Prices start from PLN 55 for the basic package with the weakest petrol engine. If you want a decent engine and a reasonable package, you should consider the cost of at least 300 thousand. zloty. Prices for the 70-horsepower Active variety start at PLN 110, while the surcharge for the 69-horsepower variant is PLN 900. zloty. We have to pay PLN 130 3,5 for the weakest 75 hp diesel, PLN 72 100 for 100 hp.
Peugeot 2008 was undoubtedly a success in the market. In such cases, manufacturers try not to spoil anything. Subtle changes have made the crossover more attractive and made it more like the marque's latest models, as the larger 3008 is due to be launched later in the year. It's a pity for the discontinued four-cylinder petrol engines, but on the other hand, R3 engine sales are doing very well. The biggest selling point for 2008 is the practical bodywork and the Grip Control system that improves the car's off-road capability.
