I had a problem containing my anxiety when told to test drive a Peugeot 208 when the best I had ever driven was my trusty Perodua Myvi, a jalopy by comparison. Arriving at the Jalan Maxwell Peugeot showroom I was ushered into the waiting room, as the test car was still on the road. Was I too early? There was nothing wrong with my timing, for I was at the showroom at the appointed time – 3pm.
When the test car finally arrived, with a satisfied-looking young man at the wheel, my heart skipped a beat. The last time I test drove a new car was eons ago. An opportunity to be in the driving seat of a gleaming new car does not come easy to a fresh-out-of-college lass like me.
Incidentally, the Peugeot 208 comes in two variants – the three and five-door models. Both are equipped with a 4-inline cylinder DOHC 16 valve VTi (Dual Variable Valve Timing and Lift) engine. The engine has a displacement of 1598 cc producing 122 ps at 6000 rpm or a maximum torque of 160 Nm at 4250 rpm.
The test car was a blue-coloured three-door type, just the thing for me. It looks grand, both in and out. For a small-car lover like me, the Peugeot 208 is trendy, to say the least. After an hour’s ride around Ipoh, this is my honest appraisal of the French-made car.
It has many interesting features that will assail your senses upon entry. You can opt to ride the 208 in style with mood lightings on, making your journey more dramatic, depending on the time and the occasion. I was amazed with the interior. It is spacious with plenty of room for four adults to sit comfortably.
The interactive colour touch screen, on the dashboard, provides easy access to the car’s sound system which can also be connected to devices such as iPhone, iPod and Android. The audio system has 6 speakers – divine sound to the ears.
The air-conditioning is in dual zones – front and rear, providing cool comfort for both front and back passengers.
The advanced Electric Power Steering System (EPS) makes the steering light and responsive to your touch. With a small steering wheel, I can feel the sportiness of the car and its handling. Plus, I can view the dials over the top, instead of through them.
The turning radius is simply remarkable. It is definitely nippy and light. The suspension is great, not too bumpy and not too soft. At 6.7 litres per 100km, the fuel bill will not burn a hole in the owner’s pocket.
The safety features are decidedly substantial. The car comes with six airbags in the front, the sides and the windows. It has state-of-the-art braking systems and an electronically-linked stabiliser. A steel body frame reinforces its structural strength. The safety configurations have earned the car a 5-star rating by the EURONCAP.
Peugeot 208 is available in 5 colours – white, black, blue, red and silver. The prices are pretty reasonable for a classy four-wheeler with performance. The three-door marque is priced at RM95,888 while the five-door variant goes for RM85,888.
My Conclusion of Peugeot 208
The car is a looker in every sense of the word, drives well and has plenty of add-ons. It is clearly designed to rival the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. This high-quality and reasonably-priced car comes with a 5-year warranty. You can’t ask for more.
Ameira
