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Peugeot 108 review - can Peugeot's smallest raise a smile? - Engine and gearbox

Peugeot's 108 city hatch has stiff competition against both its own siblings and the impressive VW Up

Evo rating
RRP
from £8,995
  • Easy to drive and park, tiny footprint ideal for crowded cities
  • Feels unpolished and crude, tiring at high speeds

Engine and gearbox 

Three-cylinder engines tend to have a knack of being characterful – and to a point the Peugeot's does, but it is lacking in a few key areas. To start with, the 108’s overall engine refinement is distinctly average, starting up with less of a concise thrum and more of an accidental stumble into combustion. Vibration is quite pronounced from the driver's seat, so much so that the (overly tall) gearstick vibrated against a piece of trim so loudly, it almost drowned out the stereo.

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The engine is relatively smooth, but quickly runs out of puff at higher revs, straining at anywhere above around 5,000rpm. This is not an unusual trait for a city car but being naturally aspirated, the engine leaves you with a fairly narrow powerband to work with.

The gearbox is also quite vague, the sort that might have you hunting arround in search of third gear. With a bit of familiarisation you soon get used to it, but overall the drivetrain is an example of a common thread throughout the Peugeot 108 - namely that compared to rivals, it just doesn’t feel that well engineered. The VW Up (and its rebadged counterparts) feel far more sophisticated, and not just in the drivetrain department.

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