Peugeot’s 208 now comes with a new trim level – the GT Line writes Hannah Gordon in this new car review.
*What is it? *
The Peugeot 208 GT Line is a sporty little model in the 208 range that combines eye catching style with a small but punchy engine.
Who is it aimed at?
As the small hatchback market is dominated by the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa that so many females drive, Peugeot are hoping their little offering will tempt buyers away from the competition. The sporty hatch looks and small engines will definitely appeal to younger buyers.
Styling?
The Peugeot 208 GT Line is an attractive looking prospect, the LED headlights flank the grille which has red inserts to add to the sporty look and flashes of gloss black are a welcome addition.
Peugeot has worked hard on creating a car that stands out from the crowd, with massive kerb appeal. The 208 GT Line comes with 17” Caesium alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tailpipe and a nice compact stance that make it one of the best looking small hatchbacks on the market.
The choice of 3 and 5 door also opens the 208 up to the small family car market.
Under the bonnet?
Peugeot has given the customer plenty of choice with the 208 including ultra efficient diesel and petrol engines plus the PureTech three-cylinder range. The pick of the engines for me is the 1.2 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit. Thanks to the turbo it has transformed this little engine into a bit of a firecracker and helps to give the 208 a suitably punchy engine to match its exterior looks.
What about inside?
Peugeot 208 includes the ‘i-Cockpit’ which has the small steering wheel and large touchscreen info-tainment system. The compact steering wheel wrapped in leather gives you a sporty go-kart feel, but does require a lot of seat movements to get into a position where you can see the dials over it.
There is plenty of space up front in the cabin and details including rocker type switches for climate control are a neat addition. The sporty touches from the outside flow into the interior with aluminium finishing and red details on the seats. Again the glovebox is too small but there is storage in door pockets and along the centre console. In the rear, space is limited and a boot size of 285 litres limits luggage capabilities.
On the road?
The Peugeot 208 is a fun car to drive, the steering is responsive and nippy and the engine and gearbox get you places with limited fuss. The test car came with the EAT6 six speed automatic gearbox which uses Quickshift technology making the ride smooth and gear shifts effortless. The five speed gearbox suffers slightly on motorways so the six speed auto is perfect.
Suspension set up isn’t too firm and the 208 holds itself well in corners. The three cylinder engine is no slouch with a 0-62mph time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 118mph its a perfect companion on city roads and motorways.
What about Safety?
A full five star Euro NCAP rating has been given to the 208 and added extras such as Active City Brake which detects when a slow speed shunt could occur help with peace of mind.
And Options?
A whole list of options are available even though the Peugeot 208 is crammed with standard kit.
Park Assist and a Reversing camera will set you back an extra £500
A Panoramic glass roof will lighten your pocket by £400
If you fancy a Pearlescent paint job then expect to pay £645
Satellite navigation, DAB radio and SOS assistance cost £400
Will it break the bank?
Prices start from £16095 OTR for the 1.2l PureTech 110 S&S engine.
All the engines available for the Peugeot 208 are Euro 6 compliant and have been built with economy and emissions at the forefront. The 1.2 litre three cylinder turbocharged petrol engine has a combined figure of 62.8 mpg and emits just 104g of CO2 per km. This puts it in band B for tax and £20 a year. The diesels do offer slightly better economy figures.
NB: The 3 year warranty leaves Peugeot behind Kia and Hyundai’s 5 year warranties.
The Verdict?
From the day it turned up to the day it went I enjoyed my time spent with the 208. The GT line styling sets it apart on the road and the sporty added extras make it a very good looking car. The PureTech 1.2 litre turbocharged engine was surprisingly good and when paired with the EAT6 auto gearbox provided a refined driving experience.
Of course there’s a lack of space due to its size but having the five door option makes it a bit more bearable.
Overall the Peugeot 208 GT Line is a car that puts a smile on your face but doesn’t empty your bank account.
The Facts
Peugeot 208 GT Line
Engine: 1199cc
Max speed: 118 mph
0-62 mph: 9.8 seconds
Emissions: 104 g/km
No of Doors: 5
Euro NCAP : 5
Fuel type: Petrol
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 62.8 mpg
Boot Capacity Seats up: 285 litres
Length: 3973 mm
Width: 2004 mm
Height: 1460 mm
Wheelbase: 2538 mm
For more information check out peugeot.co.uk
This is a Car Review for women written by wheelsforwomen.co.uk; a website offering honest, informative and jargon-free car reviews, news and features. Even better, all reviews are written by women for women.
