Peugeot 208 1.4 HDi EGC review

 

What is it?

Peugeot is out to recapture some 205 magic with the 208, its phenomenally successful 1983 supermini notable among many things for the zip, civility and economy of its diesels.
They did much to popularise (and sanitise) oil-burning superminis, even if the base version was a normally aspirated, rev-shy device. All three 208 diesels are turbocharged of course, this entry-level 1.4 scoring 67bhp, 99lb ft of torque at 1750rpm and a 13.5sec 0-62mph time.
More important are the 83mpg and 87g/km of CO2 achieved when its five-speed transmission is robotised, the manual managing a still-attractive 74.3mpg and 98g/km.

What’s it like?

Peugeot’s old school robotised shift does a good job of tripping up the far bigger 508 1.6 HDI, but the company has refined the software of a system more suitable, it says, for the 208’s size and mass. But it would clearly be better off with the planned dual clutch ‘box many rivals offer.
Anyway, the annoying fade and surge you feel during brisk acceleration has been dampened, even if its shifts are Sunday-afternoon lazy. Behind this transmission is an engine that delivers decent pep if you mine its mid-ranges with the paddles, which perform surprisingly good downshifts.
Keen drivers will favour the manual, however, and the fizzing pep of the three cylinder 1.2 in truth. That lighter petrol motor affords the Pug defter handling, but the 1.4 HDI’s cornering powers aren’t bad, the main disappointment being over-pointy steering caused by the small wheel, and the system’s shortage of road feel.
More serious for many will be Peugeot’s bizarre instrument location, which some will find substantially and irritatingly obscured by the wheel.

Should I buy one?

This 208 rides pretty well, is tidily finished and civilised with it, even if the Fiesta and Polo are more polished.

Richard Bremner

Peugeot 208 1.4 HDI EGC Active 3dr

Price: £14,595; Top speed: 101mph; 0-62mph: 13.5sec; Economy: 83.0mpg; CO2: 87g/km; Kerbweight: 1060kg; Engine: 4-cyls in-line 1398cc; Power: 67bhp at 4000rpm; Torque: 99lb ft at 1750rpm; Gearbox: 5-spd robotised manual
source: autocar