New Peugeot 208: Europe’s best-selling car gets updated

Some models carry greater responsibility than others, and the Peugeot 208 is one of them. This B-segment supermini bears the title of Europe’s best-selling car in 2022 on its “shoulders”.

Peugeot has now unveiled the updated Peugeot 208 with the aim of retaining that status. It has been revised externally and internally, while its mechanical line-up has also changed.

Peugeot 208 brought into line

Introduced in 2019, the Peugeot 208 was among the few models from the French manufacturer still to adopt the brand’s new emblem, first seen on the Peugeot 308 in 2022. The lion brand has used this facelift to bring the 208 into step with the rest of its range.

As well as the new brand badge, the 208 gains several styling cues from Peugeot’s latest models, particularly at the front.

The rear has not been overlooked, either. Although less conspicuous, the changes made to the front section are also reflected at the back.

According to Peugeot, all of these revisions drew inspiration from a rather unconventional model: the Peugeot 9X8, the racing prototype fielded by the French brand in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

In profile, the new 208 changes very little beyond the new alloy wheel designs available across the range. After all, this is only an update to the model first introduced in 2019.

A more premium interior

The interior updates are less extensive, but still meaningful. Firstly, the trim materials have been refreshed, with more options and new interior configurations now available.

The familiar i-Cockpit system - consisting of a smaller steering wheel and a higher-positioned digital instrument display - remains in place.

Here, the key addition is the new infotainment system. It is the manufacturer’s latest unit, the same one found in models such as the Peugeot 408.

Engines for every preference

The Peugeot 208 was already among the segment’s models with the widest choice of powertrains. This facelift strengthens that position further.

The 208 range is organised into three trims - ALLURE, ACTIVE and GT - and will be offered with five powertrains, including the new 100% electric 115 kW (156 hp) motor, which delivers a longer 400 km range on the combined WLTP cycle.

The mechanical updates also extend to electrified combustion engines, with the debut of the HYBRID 100 and HYBRID 136 units.

These pair the latest evolution of the 1.2 PureTech - with 100 hp and 136 hp - with a 48 V mild-hybrid system. They are available exclusively with the new six-speed electrified dual-clutch gearbox (e-DCS6), which incorporates an electric motor.

Peugeot claims that the new Peugeot 208 HYBRID 100 and HYBRID 136 powertrains can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%. The brand also states that, in urban driving, they can operate in 100% electric mode for more than 50% of the time.

At the entry point to the 208 range, the 75 hp 1.2 PureTech engine will remain available as the most affordable version. However, the best-selling variant is expected to be the turbocharged version of this engine, producing 100 hp. Both are paired with manual gearboxes, with five and six speeds respectively.

At the opposite end of the line-up sits the Peugeot e-208, which was Europe’s best-selling 100% electric B-segment model in 2021 and 2022. It is undoubtedly a position this updated 208 will be looking to defend.

When will it arrive?

The updated Peugeot 208 does not yet have prices for Portugal, but the first examples will arrive in the country during the final quarter of this year.