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2012 Peugeot 208 [w/video]

Matt Davis — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Peugeot, Diesel, Quick Spins

Euro Hatch Icon Reclaims Some Of Its Mojo

The challenge of small, efficient and clever hatchbacks catching on with the American masses is a long story that shows infrequent signs of becoming less challenging. The bottom line is that most U.S. consumers feel such vehicles are simply too small for our wide-open-spaces sensibilities. This smallness is only enhanced when one looks around while stopped at American intersections, only to see big and tall sheetmetal in all directions. There are admittedly serious strides being made in this segment in various U.S. markets, usually of the urban variety and on the coasts, but it will always be a struggle.

The last time Peugeot tried directly communicating in American English with imported product was back in 1991 with its 505 and 405 ranges that unceremoniously flopped. There was ongoing talk at that time of bringing over the 205 hatchback to try and improve things, but we missed out and Peugeot was gone. Perhaps the seven percent of PSA Peugeot-Citroën now owned by General Motors will someday result in the importing of the solid hatchback tested here, but I won't hold my breath.

Recently, the new Peugeot 208 was all over the French giant's show stand at the Geneva Motor Show, together with its legendary GTi trim and new XY upmarket trim. Back in 1984, it was the 105-horsepower 205 GTi that established the legend of the French hot hatch. While the 206 was then a smash hit with buyers between 1998 and 2006, the subsequently larger 207 has been far less popular in the face of much improved competitors - a group that blossomed from just 16 different models on the European market in 1998 to now 27 separate hatches today. In its prime, the 206 outsold even the mighty Volkswagen Golf and stayed at the top of Europe's sales charts for a time. The outgoing 207, however, has routinely lingered behind the Volkswagen Golf and Polo, Renault Clio, Opel Astra and Corsa, not to mention the Ford Focus and Fiesta.

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2012 Peugeot 208 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot tackles supermini market with new 208 [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Peugeot, Diesel

Superminis are big business for European automakers, and Peugeot has just released its latest salvo in the form of its new 208.

Available in both three- and five-door body-styles, the 208 represents a complete overhaul of the French carmaker's core model. Its wheelbase is the same as the 207 it replaces, but while overall exterior dimensions have shrunken, Peugeot says interior volume has increased.

Meanwhile, weight has decreased, and the new 208 range is motivated by a pair of 1.0- and 1.2-liter gasoline engines with about 75 and 100 horsepower, respectively, designed to replace the 207's 1.4 and 1.6 models, with a range of five diesel engines paired with stop-start ignition and hybrid assist on most models to return exceptional fuel economy and emissions figures.

The new Pug range is certainly distinctively styled, particularly the three-door shown above, with its sculpted doors and unusual chrome trim flourish at the rear of the windowline (a treatment not shown on the family-oriented five-door). The interior is no less interesting, with unusual ambient lighting elements on select models and a premium-look dashboard.

Peugeot is also expected to roll out a 208 GTI based on the three-door that promises to channel much of the beloved 205 GTI hot hatch's sporting characteristics in the new form. That may still be a year away, but for now, you can check out the standard models in the high-res image gallery and the press release and video after the jump.

Continue reading Peugeot tackles supermini market with new 208 [w/video]

Peugeot tackles supermini market with new 208 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like a winner: Peugeot 207 S16

Alex Nunez — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Peugeot, UK

Peugeot 207 S16 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kris Meeke is the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Champion, and Peugeot UK wants to celebrate that accomplishment. As such, it's releasing the 207 S16 - a 207 Sport tarted up to evoke the Peugeot 207 IRC car Meeke pilots. To that extent, you can get an optional graphics package (which is still more restrained than race car's nose-to-tail Union Jack livery), along with a body kit including "pseudo rear diffuser" (Peugeot's words), upgraded wheels, a mesh grille, tinted glass and special interior badging. All 250 Peugeot 207 S16s are mechanically identical to the regular 207 Sport 1.6 VTi they're based on. Oh, and Kris Meeke signs every one. If you're in the UK, owning the 207 S16 will dent your wallet to the tune of £14,695. The full press release is pasted after the jump.

Gallery: Peugeot 207 S16

[Source: Peugeot UK]

Continue reading Looks like a winner: Peugeot 207 S16

Looks like a winner: Peugeot 207 S16 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot rolls out millionth new 207

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Peugeot

Click above to view the 1,000,000th Peugeot 207 in high resolution

It has only been two years since Peugeot introduced the 207, and already the French automaker has produced over 1 million examples of the new car. The car hit the market in April 2006 with the three- and five-door hatchbacks, and has since rolled out in convertible, wagon and several sport models.

Last year alone Peugeot sold half a million new 207s, which are manufactured at three plants across Europe - in France, Slovakia and Spain - with a combined rate of 2,500 vehicles per day. In a segment crowded with over 70 different models, the 207 has emerged as the market leader. Its "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" success has been driven in part by the double Intercontinental Rally Challenge titles that the 207 Super 2000 took last year, mirroring its big brother 908 HDi's success in Le Mans racing.

Gallery: 1,000,000th Peugeot 207

[Source: Peugeot]

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Peugeot rolls out millionth new 207 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot reveals new 207 Super 2000 rally car - UPDATED

Alex Nunez — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe, Hatchback

Peugeot has revealed its new rally car, the 207 Super 2000.

The 207 RCup concept at last March's Geneva Motor Show hinted at what was coming, and now that the initial development phase is complete, Peugeot has decided to show it off and reveal the tech specs. Appearance-wise, it's an aggressive little package, with its wide body, rooftop intake, and top-mounted rear wing.

Underhood, there's some giddyup to back up the looks. Powered by a 1998cc four-cylinder, the Super 2000 generates 280 horsepower without the use of any forced induction. A six-speed sequential gearbox sends it to all four wheels. The Super 2000 engine is based on the one found in the company's 206 GTi 180 model, but is tuned to produce an additional 100 ponies.

The car is still under development and additional tweaks will likely be made as they perfect its dynamics. Once finalized, privateer teams will be able to purchase and campaign their own 207 Super 2000s. This, incidentally, is why the car's engine does not use turbocharging to generate more power. Super 2000 regulations (we're talking about the rally class, now) prohibit the forced induction systems and other electronic trickery found in the WRC. Doing so makes the cars less expensive to operate and maintain, making the idea of fielding a team far more palatable to individuals looking to get into the game.

Thanks to Peugeot's Ian Sedgwick for the clarification regarding the nature of the engine.

(Release, tech specs after the jump)

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Peugeot reveals new 207 Super 2000 rally car - UPDATED

Peugeot reveals new 207 Super 2000 rally car - UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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