2017 Peugeot 2008 Australian spec confirmed

Peugeot’s 2008 small SUV range will follow a similarly aggressive consolidation to that applied last month to its 308 small hatchback sibling.

The February changes will see both 1.6-litre diesel and petrol engines dropped from the range, leaving just the three-cylinder turbo unit in three different levels of specification.

With the discontinuation of the top-spec Outdoor diesel, a new GT-Line version will serve as the flagship of the range, above the Active and Allure variants which carry over, all of which now adopt the PureTech 1.2-litre coupled to a six-speed sequential automatic transmission.

A number of other changes arrive with the 2008 range refresh, including a subtle facelift that brings a new multifaceted grille design, which the French car-maker says will gradually proliferate the entire range of SUVs.

At the back end, new all-LED tail-lights score what Peugeot describes as "warm-coloured lion claw" details, while a new paint tone – Ultimate Red – is borrowed from the 308 GTi hot hatch.

In addition to the variant shakeup and mild styling tweaks, the 2008 gains new equipment with a 7.0-inch touch screen, reversing camera and MirrorScreen connectivity added to all versions as standard.

Entry-level Active 2008s get Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, digital sound processor, trip computer, cruise control, rear parking radar, fog-lights, leather steering wheel, refrigerated centre console and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Moving up to the mid-range Allure adds navigation, autonomous emergency braking, a more advanced traction control system for low-grip surfaces, cornering lights, rain-sensing wipers, dark-sensing headlights, self-dimming rear-view mirror and 17-inch alloys.

Pricing for the updated Australian line-up is expected soon.

Customers who order the new 2008 GT-Line get a red flash Redline theme applied throughout the vehicle, alloy pedals and door tread-plates, red LED instrument panel illumination, while a contrasting black theme is added to roof rails, rear door trims, spoiler, mirror caps and grille with red Peugeot lettering.

Peugeot Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz said that the success of the 1.2-litre engine in other Peugeot models could be duplicated now it was available across the entire 2008 range.

"We have already proven with our 208 and 308 model lines that Peugeot’s award-winning PureTech, turbo-petrol 1.2-litre engines can compete with larger-capacity drivetrains of other players in the market and there is no reason this segment shouldn’t benefit from Peugeot’s advanced drivetrain," he said.

"We are very excited about the introduction of the new-look 2008 range as it signals a significant year for the Peugeot SUV stable with the all-new 3008 and 5008 following hot on the 2008’s heels."

Pricing for the updated Australian line-up is expected soon, but a small increase over the current $22,490 base version is not out of the question to account for the now-standard automatic transmission.

Can Peugeot invigorate 2008 sales with a simplified range? Tell us in the comments below.