We throw the Peugeot 208 1,2 into the Athens traffic

When the Peugeot throws on the market model of the series 20Χ, είναι “είδηση”. Εν προκειμένω, το 208 that I have in my hands now is larger, as it has a heavy workload: To overcome the, legendary longer, 205 and 206. Design-wise, it succeeds. But the rest?

Having a long experience with my own 206, I always wondered if Peugeot would manage to bring out a model of this class again, which has the background to become a success. With 208, which recently suffered and a Update on points, I dare say that he has already succeeded. But it's all rosy with the 1.200 atmospheric five-door I have in my hands?
Aesthetics, σε σχέση με το prefacelift 208, αλλαγές υπάρχουν στη μάσκα, που είναι λίγο μεγαλύτερη και πιο επιθετική, με ορισμένες “πινελιές” στα φωτιστικά σώματα, εμπρός και πίσω (που they look like lion claws), as well as more choice for potential buyers in terms of colours and exterior and interior design.
And, in this area, everyone admits it: This lion cub is beautiful. It is in the spirit of the times. It has a French refinement, a sporty look without being blatant at any point. For me, as far as looks go, the 208 is ideal, in the colour - which not coincidentally - is advertised and I'm trying it out. whipped orange.

But enough of the external appearance. Ο his inner world, πώς είναι; Εδώ, σηκώνει μεγάλη κουβέντα, αλλά ας αρχίσουμε από τα γενικά. Με τα πεντάπορτα μικρά να κερδίζουν συνεχώς έδαφος στην αγορά, οι χώροι αυτού του Peugeot, που είναι και αρκετά “μαζεμένο” σε ό,τι αφορά τις εξωτερικές διαστάσεις, οι Γάλλοι έχουν κάνει πολύ καλή δουλειά στη layout domestic. So, it remains ample space both for the front and for the rear passengers, where three adults can easily fit, while the luggage compartment, is above the category average. By 285 litres and 1.076with the seats folded down, you can move.
The steering wheel should be lower than the instrument panel

Beyond that, apart from the seats being soft and comfortable, Peugeot couldn't say it's premium brand, without using the appropriate materials. Έτσι, βλέπουμε ότι έχει χρησιμοποιήσει τις σωστές αναλογίες μαλακού/σκληρού πλαστικού για την εμφάνιση, αλλά και την αντοχή στη χρήση, ενώ οι πινελιές σε piano black δίνουν αυτό το κάτι παραπάνω σε εμφάνιση.  Η 7-inch touch screen είναι εύχρηστη, λόγω και του μενού της και εύκολα προσβάσιμη, ενώ σχεδιαστικά, βλέπουμε το “κάτι διαφορετικό” με τους αεραγωγούς τοποθετημένους κάτω από αυτή. Επιπλέον, η touch screen έχει και λειτουργία mirror screen, for direct display of a smartphone's displays. There's plenty of space for small items and two cup holders under the centre console switches, in front of the gear lever.

And now, the big question: The driving position. Peugeot has adopted the solution of a very small - and herbaceous - steering wheel, in an almost elliptical shape. The concept is to see the -full- instrument panel over the top of the steering wheelso you don't have to take your eyes off the road. But how well does it work?

Like anything new, this is alienating to many people. But the truth is, that's because, to judge it, you have to find the driving position that suits you and live a little bit like that. So, naturally, there is a wealth of settings in a steering wheel-seat, so you can find the seat that suits you, without the steering wheel hiding part of the panel. When you find that seat, δύσκολα θα ξαναβολευτείς στο “συμβατικό” κόκπιτ, since in everyday life it turns out very useful και σου κάνει τη ζωή ευκολότερη. Βέβαια, εγώ που προτιμώ να οδηγώ σχεδόν… βιδωμένος στο έδαφος, θα ήθελα το κάθισμα να κατεβαίνει λίγο χαμηλότερα. Αλλά μιλάμε για αυτοκίνητο πόλης…

How's it going?

In the beginning, the motor. Η Peugeot κατήργησε τον χιλιάρη στο 208 και πλέον η “βασική” έκδοση βενζίνης, φοράει τον 1.2 Puretech three-cylinder atmospheric engine with 82 hp at 5,750 rpm and the 12 kg of torque from 2,750 rpm.The good thing is that it's hard to tell it's a three-cylinder, due to the lower characteristic sound, but also the complete absence of vibration.
On the road, the engine, which is mated to a five-speed gearbox, shows more spirited απ’ ότι λένε οι αριθμοί. Έχει περίσσεια δύναμης από τις χαμηλές στροφές και δύσκολα “κρεμάει”. Έτσι, είναι ένα αυτοκίνητο πόλης που μπορεί να σε μεταφέρει snappy in the city, but also to make a comfortable journey.
Ωραία η ζάντα, πάει… ταμάμ με το πορτοκαλί

The latter, i.e. comfortable travel, will be greatly helped by the regulation of posts, which is obviously focused on comfort. Έτσι, το 208 δεν αντιδρά με “ξερά” χτυπήματα ακόμα και στις πιο βίαιες λακούβες, ενώ στην Εθνική Οδό, δεν κουράζει τους επιβάτες.

Στις μεγάλες ταχύτητες, δηλαδή… ανησυχητικά κοντά στην τελική του, (175 g.p.h.), on poor road surfaces there will be transient slip tendencies, but at normal to fast speeds, there will be nothing to disturb the driver and passengers. Overall, the new 208 has a way of moves lightly, since the McPherson knees at the front and the semi-rigid axle at the rear successfully filter out any irregularities.
The driver has a direct, quick and clear, quick and clear steering wheel, το οποίο είναι ελαφρύτερο απ’ ότι περίμενα, όπως ωστόσο προστάζει η εποχή για ένα αυτοκίνητο πόλης. Σε upbeat rhythms and in closed pieces, the 208 confirms the cliché ότι “τα αυτοκίνητά της στρίβουν”. Θα χρειαστεί… μάχη και να το παρακάνεις για να subvert (after all, the slope it will take will have warned you much earlier), while, on the other hand, if you know what and how (and where, of course) you are doing, it leaves you, as genuine lion cub, to play with his tail. The brakes Finally, it is satisfactory under all circumstances.

Harmonised with the Euro6 standard, the 208 test car emits 104 g/km CO2, while, the consumption even in the hellish traffic of the centre of Athens, it will hardly escape from the 6.5 lt/100 km. In fact, in the week of my test and with daily traffic in the centre, it moved marginally above 6, at 6.1 lt/100 km.

In conclusion, with a price starting from 13.610 euros, the renewed 208 PureTech 82, is a advantageous solution for everyday car, (especially when there is the program Peugeot 4×4, with four years of interest-free instalments of 208 euros per month, a 4-year warranty, 4 years of free service and 4 years of free roadside assistance) and certainly makes you think that it's time to part with your beloved 206 for his sake., αφού και η ευελιξία του με το μέγεθος που είναι κάτω των 4 μέτρων, το κάνει εύχρηστο για καθημερινή χρήση…