Skip advert
Advertisement

Peugeot 208 review - a supermini for keen drivers? - Peugeot 208 engine and transmission

Not the best-driving car in the class, but GTi models prove there's a good chassis underneath Peugeot's supermini

Evo rating
RRP
from £12,065
  • Neat ride and handling, strong turbocharged three-cylinder engine
  • Lacks body control in faster driving, steering light on feel

The 208 range is built around two, three-cylinder petrol power units, in a few different states of tune, and one, 1.6-litre turbodiesel also available in different power outputs.

Smallest of all is the 1.0 PureTech 68, which comes with a five-speed manual transmission. It develops 67bhp at 6000rpm and 70lb ft of torque. Fine in a flyweight Peugeot 108, but a little less than you’d really want in a 208.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder PureTech 82 gets either a five-speed manual or five-speed automated-manual transmission. We’d steer well clear of the latter, which is jerky and slow despite years of refinement – think automated manual, think old Smart Fortwos and their head-bobbing changes. Power is 80bhp in each, with 87lb ft of torque from 2750rpm.

Much more appealing is the turbocharged version of the 1.2 PureTech. Thrust rises to 109bhp at 5500rpm and torque jumps significantly, to 151lb ft from a relatively low 1500rpm. You’ll need a little more on the rev counter before you really start to see the engine’s best, but in the lightweight 208 it feels well-suited. Transmission options are a six-speed manual and six-speed torque converter automatic.

The 1.6 BlueHDi diesel is available in 74bhp, 98bhp and 118bhp outputs, with respective increases in torque – 170lb ft, 187lb ft and 221lb ft. No automatic gearbox is available on the diesel models – all but the BlueHDi 120 get a five-speed manual, the top model a six-speed.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch
Alpine A290 Rallye
News

New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch

The A290 has proven to be one of the best performance EVs yet, and now Alpine's taking it one step further with a rally variant
3 Jul 2025
Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025