Peugeot 208
The new Peugeet 208 - Sexy hatch with a smooth line - I think it can be safely said the bosses at Peugeot have picked themselves a winner in the super-mini car sector.
The 208 moves the game on, it’s quality with Peugeot's use of materials that are easy on both the eye and the fingertips throughout the cockpit. Add the touch-screen features and sophisticated graphics, and the chrome-ringed instruments wouldn’t look out of place in an a far more luxurious model.
The 208 has the safety kit you would expect in a modern super mini. Stability control is provided across the board, as are front, side and curtain airbags. All this helped the car achieve a five-star crash rating from Euro NCAP. Security kit is also first class, with deadlocks and an immobiliser as standard. However, an alarm is only optional on the range-topping models
The new 208 delivers superb experience for the drive in terms of feel and handling, reminiscent of the GTi and 205 era, unfortunately I remember these, my first car was a 205 GTi
The 208 sets out to supercede it's predecessors the 208 achieves that. Forget about the middle-of-the road looks of the 206 and 207, this hatch is a one sexy beauty.
The interior is a smooth affair - gone is the clutter of the dash and bland fascia - instead the car takes on a clean look with the "heads-up" instrument cluster's contents sitting just over the top of the steering wheel. That means the Speedo and rev-counter can be seen an easy glance.
Inside the feeling of Peugeot style continues: rubber, soft-touch plastics, damped switches while at the centre of it all is a large infotainment screen which controls everything from the satnav to your playlist. It means the console takes on a futuristic look and uncluttered – dozens of buttons, switches and dials have become redundant.
It's the steering wheel that dominates the cabin's style. It's smaller than previous models and its flattened rather than rounded base produces a sporty look. It's smaller size also helps direct and precise driving control at speed that the 208 shows its quality.
The exterior continues the refined styling cues of the interior with a floating front grille and a compact overhang that gives the bonnet shorter lines.
The body gains sculptured lines while the boot has a subdued curve as the dominate look is instead the C-shaped rear lights that really make the car stand out on the motorway when you're following it.
As I started with - I think it can be safely said the bosses at Peugeot have picked themselves a winner in the super-mini car sector.
Rosalyn Manners - Female First Motoring Guru