This Peugeot Sport Engineered concept previews a high-performance version of the 508
Hybrid. It’ll herald a range of hot plug-ins from Peugeot, arriving from 2020. This all-wheel-
drive concept is claimed to produce more than 300bhp from its turbocharged petrol engine
and twin electric motors (one per axle), giving a ferocious 0-62mph time of 4.3sec.And a hot hybrid 508 Performance plug-in range will follow
14 CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK | APRIL 2019
208: the
future-proof
supermini
Peugeot’s new hatch brings extra tech
to the mainstream. By Jake GrovesPick your power
This autumn’s new 208
uses PSA’s group-wide
Common Modular
Platform underpinnings.
The same hardware
can handle combustion
engines, hybrid or full
EV (with 221-mile range)
without eating into boot
space; for the EV, batteries
replace fuel tank and
exhaust. Same production
lines make everything,
saving time and money.The return of
205-style agility
Using ultra-modern
powertrains won’t stop
Peugeot taking dynamic
inspiration from the
finest-handling car in its
back catalogue. ‘There’s
a spirit of the 205 here,’
says project manager
Guillaume Clerc. That
might be tricky with the
likely 300kg extra weight
of the EV. Most potent
engine is a 128bhp triple.i-Cockpit upgraded
The new 208 gets a neat
evolution of Peugeot’s
familiar i-Cockpit
cabin. There’s the usual
flattened steering wheel,
infotainment screen
set high and a tiny gear
selector for auto versions.
A 3D instrument display
with two layers of data is
new. Top-end models have
multi-material upholstery
and carbonfibre-effect
dashboard texturing.Peugeot’s design
renaissance continues
It’s another Pug punching
well above its weight,
visually. High-spec
versions get fang-style
daytime running lights
and tiger-claw rear lights.
GT models stick out
further with gloss black
wheelarches and a chrome
tailpipe. The e-208 has
blue highlights, unique
wheel designs and a
glowing lion badge.It’s smart so you
don’t have to be
The 208 will be available
with more tech than any
previous small Peugeot,
with big-car levels of safety
systems and connectivity
offered. It’s not ready yet,
but Peugeot promises
there will also be the
ability to send digital
access to your car to others
via an app in future; no key
needed, just a smartphone,
as car-sharing takes off.Digital dials crown
a futuristic cabin