Peugeot 208 renewed: e-208 up to 400 kilometers range again

Highlights facelifted Peugeot 208

• Electric e-208 with 136 hp or 156 hp
• Up to 400 kilometers range
• 75 hp and 100 hp petrol engines with manual gearbox
• 100 hp and 136 hp mild-hybrid petrol engines with automatic transmission
• New infotainment, fewer versions
• On the market in November

In 2022, the Peugeot 208 was not only the most popular new car in the Netherlands, but even the best-selling car in Europe. Worldwide, almost 1 million copies of the current generation have already been sold. Despite his advanced age of four years, he still sells very well. For example, in the first half of 2023, almost 6,000 new 208s were registered in our country, good for a place behind the Tesla Model Y that cannot be dragged into the half-yearly registration figures. To prevent interest in the model from decreasing and to immediately fine-tune it both externally and technically, the Peugeot 208 is getting a facelift.

Electric Peugeot e-208

We start with the electric Peugeot e-208. After all, almost 60 percent of all 208s registered in the Netherlands this year had an electric powertrain. Moreover, the French only show the e-208 for the time being.

Like the previously facelifted 508 and 2008, the updated 208 receives design elements from the Inception Concept, the study model from the beginning of this year with which Peugeot embarked on a new design path. The headlights retain their shape, but are redesigned. The three vertical LED elements that symbolized a cat’s claws make way for three smaller LED segments in the GT version. The claw reference can now be found in the bumper. Where the 208s used to have a maximum of one LED spout under each headlight, there are now three for every version of the 208. As with the 508 and 2008, the grille takes an even more prominent place. The grille and bumper visually merge more into each other, but it will not be as intense as on the renewed 508. In addition, the grille at the bottom is a lot wider than before.

The e-208 (GT) from before the facelift.

The old Peugeot emblem makes way for the new ‘retro copy’. That is a size larger and pierces through the top edge of the grille. The model name is written out between the bonnet and the grille, as before. This time – just like on the back – with a new typography. The three vertical LED stripes that currently characterize the rear lights make way for three horizontal stripes. The 208, 2008 and 508 now each have their own taillight signature. The GT benefits from the arrival of LED reversing and flashing lights. The Peugeot logo disappears from the tailgate. The brand name written between the taillights remains, but is written in the same new typography as the model name. Speaking of typography: the ‘E’ applied to the C-pillar on the electric e-208 is also executed in a different font. Detail work.

Peugeot e-208: new taillights and new typography.

No facelift without the introduction of new colors and so Peugeot has extensively stirred in various paint pots. The banging Jaune Agueda you see in these photos is new. A second new color is called Gris Selenium. Every 208 now has black side mirror caps. You can recognize the GT by the black wheel arch edges, among other things. A black roof is optional on the GTs. Peugeot also introduces new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Interior

Things are also changing in the interior. You will find the new Peugeot logo on the steering wheel. At the end of 2022, the already small selector lever of the automatic transmission was replaced by a smaller selector lever. So nothing changes there. The Peugeots 208 with manual gearbox do get a new gear knob. Behind the steering wheel of the Allure and GT versions is a 10-inch digital instrument panel with a new layout. With the GT, this is also a screen with a 3D effect. The Activ – the entry-level model – has to do with analog clocks and a 3.5-inch screen, just like before.

Peugeot e-208.

Bigger news – in a literal sense – can be found centrally on the dashboard. Where all versions with the exception of the GT previously had a 7-inch infotainment screen as standard, every 208 now has a 10-inch display as standard. Indeed, also the Active. However, the screen in the Allure and GT is of higher quality. The operating system has been thoroughly revised and supports wireless connection with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, among other things. The physical rocker switches under the ventilation grilles are retained. Furthermore, various versions have a new seat upholstery. For example, Alcantara upholstery with green stitching is available on the GT at an additional cost.

Technology: up to 400 kilometers range and mild hybrid engines

Already in September last year, Peugeot introduced a new electric powertrain for the e-208. The 136 hp version with a 50-kWh battery got a 156 hp version with a 51-kWh battery above it. It was good for a range of up to 400 kilometers and was only available as a GT. Shortly afterwards, this engine disappeared from the delivery range. The facelifted Peugeot e-208 is simply presented with those two powertrains again. The 136 hp version with a range of 362 kilometers will continue to exist and the 156 hp version – with 3-phase 11-kW on-board charger – will also be present again.

A large part of the internal combustion engines remains unchanged. There is again a 75 hp 1.2 PureTech petrol engine with a manual five-speed gearbox and a 100 hp 1.2 PureTech that is linked to a manual six-speed gearbox. The option to link these 1.2s to an automatic transmission seems to have expired.

Like various other Stellantis products, the Peugeot 208 will have mild hybrid petrol engines. There will be 100 hp and 136 hp 1.2 PureTechs with a 48v mild hybrid system, complete with a six-speed automatic transmission called e-DSC6 with a built-in electric motor. The consumption of these 208s must be up to 15 percent lower than that of the regular petrol models with a manual gearbox.

That little selector lever has been around for a while.

Fine grinding

Small but not insignificant adjustments: Peugeot has improved the parking aid cameras. From now on, these will send HD images to the infotainment screen. Furthermore, there is now an HD parking camera on the front, but for an additional fee. The Allure and GT now have three USB-C connections at the front and a USB-A port at the back, and the optional inductive charger (standard on the GT) to charge your phone is now much more powerful.

The Peugeot 208 is currently available as an Active, Active Pack, Style, Allure, Allure Pack and as a GT. That could be clearer, believes Peugeot. The renewed Peugeot 208 is only available as Active, Allure and GT in the catalogue.

The facelifted Peugeot e-208 will appear in the order books in November this year. Prices and detailed equipment information will follow in the run-up to market launch.