Updated Peugeot 2008 Unveiled

The refreshed Peugeot 2008 is already in showrooms across the UK for ordering, but what makes this different to is predecessor?

It has grown from an almost awkward oversized hatchback to a miniature crossover. The higher trim models get features like flared wheelarches, scuff plates and a more upright grille which all give it a very sophisticated appearance.

As well as Access, Active and Allure, Peugeot will offer you a sportier GT Line which is already an option on the 108, 208, 308 and 508. No matter which level of trim you opt for, you will be greeted with Peugeot's i-Cockpit® from the moment you step inside. The design of this cockpit allows you to see over the small, sporty steering wheel as opposed to through, where the slightly raised instruments will give you all the information you need at a quick glance.

The 7-inch touchscreen features smartphone connectivity as well as a reversing camera. When it comes to safety, Active City Brake will help you avoid low speed collisions, while Park Assist will help you finish off your journey with ease.

As regards engines, the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine can be had in multiple guises, with power ranging from 81 to 128 bhp. The 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel comes with a range of outputs, ranging from 75 to 118 bhp. The diesels are definitely the most sensible - with promised figures of over 70 mpg, they're also free to tax and do not belong to the 3-cylinder category which has a noteworthy soundtrack.

Peugeot's Traveller Enters the Passenger Car Segment

The Traveller has two main assets, its efficient engines and the space available.

Let's kick off with the latter. It's offered in XS, M and XL guises, with lengths of 4.6, 4.95 and 5.3 metres respectively. The two largest sizes share the same wheelbase, with the XS getting a more condensed design.

The XS is able to carry up to 3,600 litres. Compare that with the long wheelbase full-size Range Rover's maximum capacity of 2,345 litres despite being 5.2 metres long and it becomes clear where the Traveller really excels. Larger models can carry up to 4,900 litres.

In front of the front seat passenger there are two gloveboxes. Elsewhere in the front segment there's a 7-litre refrigerated compartment, another one measuring 5 litres and yet another 5-litre A4-sized box above the instrument cluster, ideal for storing items such as business clipboards or even personal computing devices. There are also two cupholders capable of holding 0.5-litre bottles and 8-litre door bins for the front doors, both capable of carrying two 1.5-litre bottles each. The sliding doors get smaller 5-litre bins.

There are no petrol engines available, instead two sizes of Peugeot's BlueHDi diesels. The entry-level 1.6-litre unit produces 94 bhp. It's mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The next choice is another 1.6-litre 94 bhp engine, this time with stop/start technology and a 6-speed automatic 'box. The 113 bhp 1.6-litre option gets a 6-speed manual 'box and stop/start, which allows it to achieve a claimed 55.3 mpg and 133 g/km of CO2, the best in the lineup.

Next, we have two 2.0-litre BlueHDi powerhouses which have power outputs of 148 and 178 bhp. The lesser-powered one gets a 6-speed manual transmission, whereas 6-speed automatic transmission makes its way into the top-spec engine. It's this one that achieves the worst economy figures, a not-that-bad 48.7 mpg and 151 g/km.

You can have your Peugeot Traveller with up to 9 seats, built either to be a personal family car or a business traveller. For example, the Business Plus trim gets four face-to-face seats to maximise communication.

Certain Travellers get hands-free sliding doors, a head-up display, automatic headlights and even a glass roof panel, pointing towards a more luxurious and modern MPV. Not a van - exactly what Peugeot's aiming for.

Xenon headlights and 17-inch alloys complete higher spec models, while a child mirror and aeroplane-style front seat-back tables make it a more useable family load-lugger.

More premium features include a voice-command activated navigation system, a 180-degree rear-view camera and a multi-functional roof which comprises of LED lighting and air vents.

Four 12V sockets can be found throughout the cabin as well as USB connectivity and even a 230V socket.

Outside, the headlights borrowed from the 308 and typically Peugeot grille bring us some form of familiarity.

The Peugeot Traveller i-Lab concept builds on the all-new Traveller and uses a bigger-than-big 32-inch touchscreen tablet that forms what looks like a tabletop. It's even able to split into four individual displays for personal use by the rear occupants.

Peugeot 208

The 208 is Peugeot’s best-seller, so it comes as no surprise that Peugeot have given it an update. It’ll be available from June. As well as new styling, the 208 features some high-tech safety equipment too.

One thing that Peugeot is very keen to show us is that it now has the world’s most economical internal combustion engine with CO2 emissions from as low as 79 g/km!

They claim that the exterior is more assertive, partly helped by the wider grille and two-tone headlights. Some fancy new alloys and more chrome styling demonstrate why it’s such a popular car with young buyers. Personalisation ranges from stickers to 13 fancy paint jobs.

Inside, the brand’s ‘i-Cockpit’ has received some trim upgrades and a new MirrorScreen which will let you display what’s on your smartphone on the 7-inch touchscreen.

As well as Park Assist, you can now get a reversing camera and Active City Brake which works at speeds of under 20 mph.

All but the entry level 75 bhp engine use Stop & Start technology and you should be able to get somewhere near the 94 claimed miles per gallon. As well as 5- and 6-speed manuals, there will be an EAT6 6-speed automatic available from launch.

A new trim level comes in the form of GT Line for 3- and 5-door models with 17-inch alloys, GT Line badging and red ‘PEUGEOT’ markings on the front and rear. There’s also some gloss black and aluminium trim thrown in here and there.

To further add to the lineup, Peugeot is offering a 208 GTi by PEUGEOT Sport with a lower reight height, 18-inch alloys, a matt black exterior, front bucket seats and some fancy Brembo brakes and Michelin tyres.

Peugeot RCZ

What is it?

Well, back in 2009 Peugeot launched its RCZ Sports Coupé at the Frankfurt Motor Show just 2 years after the concept was first shown. Just like the Audi TT, it's a 2.2 coupé, although no roadster version is offered.

It looks different to when I saw the RCZ a few years ago.

Yes, in 2012 it had a facelift to keep up with the rest of Peugeot's range such as the sharper 208.

What's new then?

Touches of leather have been added here, there and everywhere. More sporty upgrades include the lacquered black and aluminium trimmings.

Outside, more lacquered black and chrome detailing can be found as well as various colour options for the roof, arches and body.

How can I spec my RCZ?

Three trim levels are offered - Sport, GT and R.

Sport has some rather large 18-inch alloys, an active rear spoiler, USB and Bluetooth® connectivity, ISOFIX in the rear, automatic dual-zone climate control, reversing sensors, automatic lights and wipers and those all-important sports seats in the front.

GT models gain even bigger 19-inch alloys, a sports steering wheel, front parking sensors and electrically adjustable heated leather front sports seats.

R models have 19-inch 'R' alloys, a fixed rear spoiler, sat nav and manual leather/Alcantara sports seats. It does lose a few things that the inferior GT model has, like front parking sensors and electrically adjustable seating.

There's a Special Edition too, and it comes with red or black metallic paint jobs. It's called the Red Carbon and sits near the GT in terms of spec. It also has a sat nav and Red Carbon interior and exterior detailing.

Oh, and you can't buy this anyway. Only a couple of hundred were produced.

What's under the bonnet?

Well that depends on which trim you go for. The 1.6-litre THP petrol engine produces 156 bhp. It can be mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto 'box. It's available in both forms on the GT model, or just as a manual on Sport trim. The 2.0-litre HDi diesel produces 163 bhp and achieves a real-world average of almost 50 mpg. It's stuck with the 6-speed manual transmission and is on Sport and GT models. A more powerful 1.6-litre THP petrol engine in offered for GT customers. With 200 bhp and a 6-speed manual transmission, it's a sub-40 mpg car in the real world. The RCZ R has a super-powerful 270 bhp 1.6-litre THP petrol engine (yes, 1.6-litre) and is used in conjunction with, you guessed it, a 6-speed manual transmission to get to 62 mph in 6.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph. Official statistics show that the 270 bhp 1.6 is more economical than the 200 bhp 1.6, but being more powerful, you'll be encouraged to drive it less efficiently.

Have you seen one in real life?

I certainly have. And I have a couple of issues. Rear headroom is virtually non-existant - for 5'10" me, a whole extra head's height would be nice in the back, and with the driver's seat set to my position, rear legroom isn't great either. But remember, Peugeot don't sell it as some grand 4-seater super coupé. It's a nice, simple 2+2.

Up front, the sat nav sits above the dashboard and almost joins in the middle with the rear-view mirror. This makes for a poor visibility. One last thing. The handbrake - I just don't like it.

Do you have anything positive to say?

Of course I do! I like the easy-to-use centre console, even if it is placed a bit out of reach for the driver. A particularly nice touch is the modern analogue clock which helps give the cabin a more up-market appearance.

The 384-litre boot is really practical thanks to the massive tailgate. Space can be increased to 760 litre with the rear seats folded down, and there's even more than 30 litres of additional storage under the boot floor! It's up there with the German hatchbacks in terms of capacity with all seats in place (1 Series, A3 and Golf).

Also, it just looks great!

How's the options list?

Peugeot haven't needed to offer many options because even standard Sport RCZs are well-equipped.

The JBL Hi Fi Pack is £420 though, and for models without sat nav, it costs £735. I really like the 16-litre coolbox which has its power delivered via a 12V power output. It's only £156.92!

I've seen the review of the Audi TT. Which would you buy?

Sorry Peugeot, but it'd have to be the Audi. The premium German brand offers, well, a more premium product. But if I had a limited budget, I would definitely consider the RCZ as my second option before other rivals.

Rivals?

Yes, the Toyota GT86, Nissan 370Z and of course, the Audi TT. See them in the TT review.

If you were to buy an RCZ, how would you customise it?

Just like this.

Peugeot RCZ Configuration

It comes in at just under £30k.

Pictures, please?

RCZ pictures are here:

RCZ R pictures here:

Une vidéo, s'il vous plaît?

Ne prenez pas ce que je pense! Regardez ce que les autres blogueurs pensent, en France!

Too foreign for you? It reads (or I hope it reads) 'Don't take what I think! Watch what other bloggers think, in France!'

Yes, it's in French, but there are subtitles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvAZrp50LiE