Peugeot Reviews

People movers suffer an image problem. They’re largely seen as being dowdy, dull proof that any pretensions to a life are over. That may be true of some... okay, most of them.But a few MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles, as some brands like to call them) are arriving to overturn that truth. They've got style and response that dodges the 'stodgy' stigma and makes them fun to be in  – and you proud to be seen in them.Part of that charge of the MPV brigade is the Peugeot 5008 -- newly arrived here although available overseas for a few years – which, along with its sibling Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, is adding French chic to the task of carting around seven bodies in ease.VALUETwo versions are on offer, the $40,490 diesel and the $36,990 petrol tested here. There’s a single spec level across both, but the standard kit list is generous: 7-inch retractable colour touchscreen satnav, twin tray tables and DVD screens for the second row, rearview mirror integrated reversing camera, parking sensors, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control aircon with vents in the rear, 17-in alloy wheels and some clever extras like a rechargeable torch in the cargo area and retractable blinds for the second and third rows.The Citroen comes in at $39,490, but only in diesel, while Honda's petrol-powered Odyssey starts at $37,100.But the real contender is the newly arrived Kia Rondo, starting at $25,990 for the petrol version and $36,490 for diesel, but moving up considerably in price once you start adding in more fruit. To get similar equipment standards to the Peugeot you’re looking at $33,990 for the petrol Rondo.ENGINE AND GEARBOXThe 5008 is powered by a punchy little turbocharged 1.6-litre engine: the same carried by Peugeot’s 208 GTI and RCZ sports cars – and Citroens and Minis, albeit offering different outputs of power and torque. In the Peugeot MPV it delivers 115kW and 240Nm, getting it to the front wheels via six-speed automatic gearbox.Claimed fuel economy is 7.6L/100km, and although we hitting closer to 9L  towards the end of our test, it wasn’t out of order given the amount of hills and load we’d tested. Both petrol and diesel versions offer a decent 1500kg braked towing capacity (750 unbraked) which offers the prospect of hauling trailers and jetskis -- or extra luggage -- on family holidays.DESIGNIt’s a streamlined box, bearing the bold Peugeot face and with sharply angled light clusters and blackened window pillars giving some sweep to the shape. The inside also gets some great touches, including a panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light.But the real fun starts with the seats. The three second row seats individually recline, slide forward and back and -- with one of the easiest mechanisms in the field -- flip fold flat. The third row does a similar trick, giving you flat cargo floor and massive 2506-litre capacity from the rear door to the front seats, with the passenger one folding enough for very long items.The third row is reasonably easy to clamber into with the second row down, but once you're in the back it doesn't take long to realise it's designed more for kids than adults if the trip is going to be lengthy.There's a shortage of casual storage space in the front row, with the globebox so small you'll have to keep the owners' manual in a door pocket, and the centre console bin is handy if you want the 'cool box' function, but otherwise so deep you're going to lose things in there.And you'll be reaching for the centre stack and touchscreen to control audio and other functions, with no remote controls on the steering wheel -- giving it a somewhat low-tech look -- and several of them on wands sprouting from the steering column. SAFETYIt's not been crash-tested here, but gets five stars from Euro NCAP, with all the expected electronic stability and braking aids to help with panic stops and uneven distribution of weight in the vehicle, plus an array of airbags covering all three rows.DRIVINGThe steering is very light -- great for parking and you never get the feeling you're trying to wrestle a Kenworth into a shoebox -- a common problem with SUVs. We feared the lightness would make for a Playstation feel on the road, but it's so direct that driving through corners is a joy.The engine is not in the firecracker class, but helped along by turbo boost, it's surprisingly lively for a MPV. Gearing is well-matched to the engine, but the auto box lags a little in the higher slots and higher speeds, although generally only really noticeable when you're looking at swift overtaking.Ride quality is brilliant. We threw it over some fairly poor surfaces, and -- even without the extra damping of weight in every seat -- it smoothed out most of the problems.However, loading all rows adds considerably to the 5008's 1565kg, taxing the engine and making steep hills much more of a chore -- and a noisier one. This is also where you'll start to destroy the fuel economy, and was the main culprit for us ending up with 9.2L/100km (although we still consider that respectably given the tasks we demanded of it).VERDICTAdds some much-needed style and pleasure to the task of carting around people and freight like a small Greyhound bus -- and without driving like one. 

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Want supercar looks without a supersized price tag? This is the French way to get them... it's Peugeot's RCZ - a sleek coupe so sexy it's almost NSFW (not safe for work). The design has been revised and it's ditched the previous gaping maw that gave the first version the look of a recently hooked cod. The face is now more in tune with the rest of the gorgeous body.The swelling flanks, the curvaceous roof, the low glasshouse, all add up to a headturner that echoes the style of a supercar without the huge price. The cabin gets great detailing with hints of luxury and some quality materials at the touchpoints. There's a substantial spec list, including alloy pedals, powered seats with memory settings, and a massive flip-up infotainment and satnav screen.'Add in electronic parking assistance, leather covered sports steering wheel, 19-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights and projector headlights and you've ticked plenty of boxes.There's a heap of room in the front, and the boot's not bad -- you can take quite a bit of gear for a two-person weekend.  The hatch and the boot floor are huge, and folding the back seat down boosts the capacity. But the stunning slope of the roof means the back seats are little more than a parcel rack -- you can climb in but there's no room for heads -- or legs if you're already past primary school age.The automatic is slick in the mock manual mode -- even if it misses out on the trigger change satisfaction you could get from steering wheel paddles. You can get a 147kW petrol engine with a manual -- and there's also a punchy turbodiessel version, but we've tested the milder petrol engine here. It gives you just 115kW of power, but the numbers can be decieving -- this engine  rewards you with a bit of sparkle if you give it some revs and wake the turbo up.Get that going and the car comes to life, and with the competent handling it can be a fun drive. It feels planted and sure on the road, and turns even low speed corners into some legal fun. The handling is helped by the suspension being fairly firm, but the ride quality only gets undermined by really bad surfaces.It's not a hardcore sports car but its got enough bang for the buck to keep most people happy. And its 'beauty for the buck' ratio is off the scale. Some of the finishes may not be quite up to the standard of, say, its German sports rivals. But nor is the price.

Peugeot has given its head-turning RCZ coupe a facelift, an equipment upgrade and, purely from a selfish point of view, the opportunity for us to take this delightful little car for a drive on both the open road and the racetrack.STYLINGAdopting the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy, changes to the styling of the 2013 RCZ are minor. The grille, while retaining the distinctive Peugeot wide mouth look, has been toned down a little with a wide lower intake that extends to the edges of the car and finishes with an upward kink fringed by daytime running lights that gives it a smile-like look. And why shouldn’t the car smile ... its drivers surely will.While the RCZ looks great from any angle it really comes into its own when seen in profile and from the rear. The roof slopes back to the rear almost from the time it leaves the top of the windscreen giving it a shape like no other coupe on the road especially with its distinctive ‘double bubble’ that runs from the back of roof through the rear window is an outstanding feature.The unusual shape of the Peugeot coupe does mean that there’s more front headroom than we’ve come to expect from sporting coupes. The back seat in the RCZ is an occasional seat that can be used by children, or very tolerant adults for short distances.The Peugeot RCZ is a wide car, and looks even wider thanks to the lowset rear styling. There’s a two-stage rear spoiler that raises automatically at pre-set speeds to provide added downforce. It can also be operated manually.The extra width of the RCZ also assists in providing 384 litres of boot space which can be expanded to 760 litres with the rear seats folded flat. The new RCZ now gets xenon headlights with titanium surrounds and 19-inch alloy wheels which were previously optional.VALUETalking of options – there aren’t any. In a move that will appeal to those potential buyers who would otherwise have to bring a calculator to the showroom to try and work out what they did and didn’t want, the Peugeot RCZ comes with one specification level and one price.But with the high value of the Australian dollar we’re becoming used to the prices of imported cars remaining the same or even dropping, so it’s a bit of a surprise to see the price of the RCZ increasing by $4000 to $58,990.However Peugeot has valued the additional, previously optional, equipment now standard at $5800. In addition to the xenon lights and 19-inch alloy wheels this includes satellite navigation which is displayed on a pop-up screen from within the dashboard.Unusually, that price of $58,990 is the same regardless of which of the three powertrain alternatives you choose: 1.6-litre turbo petrol, six-speed manual; 1.6-litre turbo petrol, six-speed automatic; or 2.0-litre turbo diesel, six-speed manual.ENGINESThe engines are unchanged from before with the petrol automatic having peak power and torque of 115kW and 240Nm and the petrol manual 147kW and 275Nm. The diesel version wasn’t available at the time of the RCZ’s Australian launch but we’ll report on it when we carry out our extended road test in the coming months.DRIVEThe Peugeot’s launch was based at Melbourne’s Sandown Park racetrack, with a 120-kilometre morning drive around the Dandenong Ranges in the automatic and then two hours of track driving with the manual in the afternoon.We have to admit returning from the road section of the drive program a little disappointed with the performance from the lower-powered engine and its automatic partner. As regular readers will know we are biased in favour of doing our own gear changing in sporty cars and while there is a tiptronic manual override with the auto RCZ it doesn’t come with the paddle shifts that we’ve come to expect in cars of this type.On the positive side this is a beautifully balanced car and there is plenty of grip and very little body roll even when pushing hard through corners. Although relatively firm the ride is still quiet and relaxing enough for long trips albeit with the usual problem of tyre/road noise on the typical coarse chip surfaces found on many Australian rural roads.Any lingering doubts about our preference for the manual RCZ were quickly dispelled when we hit the racetrack. As any driving enthusiast will confirm there’s a real buzz in getting the maximum from a small engine and doing so by working the gears to their optimum level. The sharp turns combined with the long straights at Sandown allowed us to let the little Pug show what it was capable of doing.There’s enough torque to go through the tight Sandown bends in third gear and we were able to hit 175km/h in the long straights. The buzzy engine note adds to the enjoyment.

A rash of new sub-compact SUV style vehicles is about to flood into the country with Holden bringing in the Trax, Opel the Mokka, and Peugeot the 2008. Others will follow soon after. It's predicted to be the next big thing as people around the world downsize their vehicles and go for quality, features, practicality and compact size.The change makes sense particularly in our increasingly urbanised world.Peugeot's entrant is due here by October this year and will sell from a starting point in the low $20,000 range.At that money, the 2008 is a tempting proposition.We drove three versions of the car in France last week and came away sold on the idea of "small is good" in terms of SUVs.Why pay for more vehicle than you need.It's a front wheel drive five door wagon on stilts for want of a better description and is built in France using the same basic platform (stretched a tad) as the recently introduced 208 hatchback.It uses the same powertrains too with a big emphasis on a new three cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine that is available in turbo and non-turbo form. The turbo is actually the performance leader in the 2008 rangeWe drove the 1.6-litre turbo diesel and 1.6 litre naturally aspirated petrol four bangers and the 1.2-litre petrol triple non-turbo.All had their own character, strengths and weaknesses. The diesel has gobs of torque and pulls like a train rated at 84kW/270Nm but is a tad laggy at low revs and there's no auto, just a six speed manual which is fine.The 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol four was the best of the three we drove, with 88kW/160Nm it sings sweetly and gives the 2008 a light responsive feel.The 1.2 was a surprise as we were expecting it to be a dunger, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. It actually goes well and doesn't sound like a ride-on lawn mower.No decision on specification or the model range has been made for our cars yet. That will happen closer to the launch date.But we reckon the three we drove will be on the short list.It's a good looker with a pleasant face and stylish lines around the body including a stepped roof and roof rails.Peugeot built on knowledge gleaned from the ugly but good 3008 model for the creature features inside 2008 which isn't that much smaller inside.It has a decent boot, folding rear seats and comfortable driving position. All Aussie cars will get a reverse camera.All models also get a clever Grip Control system that splits drive between the front wheels and applies the brakes all round to optimise off road driving. It works pretty well but this is no mud plugging, stump jumping, rock crusher.The 2008 is a pleasant little all-rounder capable of delivering safe, entertaining, economical transport in multiple environments aided by the latest in multimedia connectivity and other tricky stuff with apps that may make it to Australia. Cruise control is standard and some models will likely get the big 7-inch info screen which also houses satnav if fitted or optioned as the case may be.We drove the cars over an extensive route through mountain roads, on auto-routes at high speed and on dirt roads. It was up for anything we demanded and was actually quite handy in the tight going, sporty even.The 2008 gets a five star Euro NCAP rating with all that brings and the engines are capable of sipping as little as 4.0-litres/100km depending on the model. The auto we are likely to get is a four speeder on the 1.6 petrol, possibly the only let down on this fine little car.  

Small could become the new big in SUVs. The subcompact Nissan Juke is taking off in Europe, and Peugeot has been quick with an answer in the form of the 2008 -- a softroader that will also be the wagon solution for the 208 range when it arrives here in October."The 2008 will enter into a yet to be defined market: the sub compact SUV. It captures the versatility of a hatch whilst combining the practicality and functionality of an SUV," Peugeot Australia boss Bill Gillespie says."The 2008 is a product for the inner urban resident with its compact dimensions. We believe it will appeal to buyers who would have traditionally bought a hatch due to price and fuel economy as it offers the option of an SUV-like vehicle at similar pricing to a hatch."The 2008 range will start in the low $20k area, with equipment and fit-out levels to echo the hatch. That means the chunky little steering wheel, a raised instrument binnacle, clear 7-in touchscreen and all the expected safety equipment. Overseas models get an automatic parking system but Peugeot Australia is likely to drop that in favour of locally fitting a reversing camera -- there isn't one on the French options list.Peugeot says it doesn't have any true rivals here yet, but people are likely to shop it against the $18,990 Suzuki SX4,  the $26,290 Skoda Yeti and even the $34,100 Mini Countryman.  The real competition is on the way from the Nissan Juke arriving by the end of this year or early 2014 -- the vehicle against which the French carmaker benchmarked the 2008.Based on a version of the 208 hatch platform stretched 20cm longer and 5cm wider, the 2.5cm higher-riding five-door is also 9.6cm taller -- set up to give you the practicality of an SUV in a petite package that targets metropolitan adventurers.There's a strong design cue in the stepped roofline topping tall windows that are joined by a panoramic sunroof to flood light into the cabin. Vodka-bar blue LED lighting sets off the instrument bezels and sunroof, and there are similarly stylish chrome and saddle-stitching details.But some of the materials are budget ones, and the pinstripe finish across one test vehicle's dash and door grabs will date quickly -- although the black mock-weave in another is handsome and will have more longevity.The 2008 sports the hatch's scalloped bonnet and swept-back headlights, but gives a nod to the 'parks and rec' lifestyle with beefed-up arches housing 17-in wheels shod with 'mud and snow' rubber. A wide tailgate promises easy loading  into a 360-litre boot that balloons to 1194-litres with the rear seats dropped.Black bumpers and body sills, plus and front and rear stainless steel scuff plates will help protect paintwork from scrapes with nature -- and urban obstacles.Of the eight drivetrain choices offered overseas, we're confirmed to get the 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder in both manual and auto, and the likely chance of the 60kW/118Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder in manual only. One of the diesel options is also on the cards -- hopefully the 1.6-litre e-HDi we tested with 84kW and 270Nm that rises to 285Nm on overboost.It doesn't get all-wheel drive, but instead the front-wheel drive range has the option of the multi-mode Peugeot Grip Control we already get on the 3008.  The system uses a smart traction control to alter the torque sent to each of the front wheels, meaning you'll be safe tackling soft and greasy surfaces as long as you don't want to venture into really rough stuff.There has been some tinkering with the suspension -- a pseudo-McPherson front and a rear set-up with deformable crossmember -- to give more stability to the taller package.Since the 208 gets the full five crash stars, you can expect the same of its toughed-up sibling, with similar airbag complement, stability and traction controls, and anti-skid brakes with extra tech for panic stops and to allow for extra force needed for wheels under uneven loading.Those looking for a teaspoon taste of SUV won't be disappointed. The slightly higher ride height and jacked-up driving position mean the 2008 delivers the crossover feeling.The 1.6-litre diesel behaved most like an SUV on the road: slightly heavy but with a huge serving of torque via the six-speed manual to keep the 2008 humming. Peugeot does great diesels, and it shows in the sound of this one: smooth and refined with no agricultural clatter -- and with an almost seamless stop-start system keeping an eye on economy.However the four-cylinder petrol engine that followed was even better, despite having lower outputs. Being 100kg lighter helped, but largely the five-speed manual dovetailed neatly with the engine to keep the response sprightly -- which raises the question of whether it will do as well with the four-speed automatic transmission we'll also get.The 1.2-litre promises good economy at 4.9L/100km (although the diesels are the leaders at 4L) and despite being only a tiny unit it gets along well as long as you keep the revs up to it.Being a tallish box, it wasn't surprising to feel the body tipping a little going into corners, but it's still surefooted and you'd have to try very hard to get it out of order. Over the wet and winding launch route it showed good grip, only briefly scrabbling for traction in one very extreme exit.The ultra-compact size makes this a great proposition for city dwellers who want the SUV looks and practicality, but realise that a true 4WD would be entirely without point. The only unknown will be how well the sparkling petrol engine performs with the auto transmission that is likely to be a popular choice in our market.

This is a little car with big shoes to fill. The Peugeot 208 GTi wants to reclaim the halo of its legendary ancestor, the 205 GTi – the feisty bantam that set hot hatch benchmarks in the 80s-90s -- and erase the blander footprints of the generations in between."The new 208GTi draws a direct link back to the original hot hatch predecessor, the 205 GTi,” Peugeot Australia boss Bill Gillespie says. “The 205 GTi built the Peugeot hot hatch reputation and the 208 GTi is a modern take on that hot hatch theme.”But while Peugeot wants the new GTi to revive the old reputation, it can’t be completely old school in the approach. Despite nostalgia for the bare bones attitude of the 205, today’s cosseted buyers would shun its spartan fit-out.VALUEWhile the 208 descendant salutes the basic tenets – including being manual only – it’s far from base spec. Australian pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the current 208 top spec is $26,490 so you can expect the GTi is likely to be around $30,000, for which you get a well-equipped package with park assist, 7-in infotainment touchscreen and enough premium fit-out to make it feel special.It faces savage competition from the hot hatch herd, but in the weigh-up the 208 GTi offers best delivery for the dollars.  From Germany, there are the $27,990 Skoda Fabia RS and Volkswagen stablemate Polo GTI at $28,990, but the Peugeot is more fun and better looking.Fellow Gallic rival, the Renault Clio RS 200, has the next model waiting in the wings – with a 1.6-litre turbo engine that delivers more than the current model’s 2.0-litre. But even when the newcomer is being tipped to come in under the current $36,490 price tag, it's a big stretch over the Peugeot.  Up around that level, Ford’s brilliant (and larger) $38,290 Focus ST has already proven its performance ability, as has the $40,700 Mini Cooper S . TECHNOLOGYFor its part, the 208 GTi squeezes 147kW of power and 275Nm of torque from its 1.6-litre turbo-petrol – the same unit in Peugeot’s RCZ and the Citroen DS3 -- delivering to the front wheels via a six-speed manual, with the purist promise of no auto option.There’s no start button, either: you kick it into action with a traditional key. And none of the exhaust-note tweaking wizardry found in some rivals. But the little firecracker hasn’t completely spurned tech trickery, with accelerometer data fed to a cornering-assist system that trails the inside bake calliper on the bigger, beefier discs. It’s all about agility, but there’s enough urge on tap as well. It posts the 0-100km/h at 6.8 seconds – and from 80-120km/h in 8.4 -- peaking at 230km/h. It’s slung lower and wider -- 10mm at front and 20mm at rear -- on 17-in wheels, and woven into the greedier footprint is a stiffer version of the suspension’s McPherson-strut front and multi-link rear.And some of the best news: Peugeot has trimmed the weight to 1160kg – 165kg under the 207 GTi and to varying degrees also lighter than the main rivals.DESIGNThe 208 is already a good looker, and the GTi builds on that with subtle sporty flourishes: flared arches, touches of bodykit, mesh grille flanked by daytime running lights, trapezoid twin exhausts embedded through the rear fascia and GTi badging on the C-pillar saluting the 205.A scatter of satin chrome and red accents inside set off the dash and deep-bolstered leather sports seats, aluminium pedals and gearknob and tiny, chunky steering wheel with its red centred marker.The car is small, but -- unless you’re of massive build – you’ll feel snugly embedded rather than cramped. But it can take some jockeying to get the wheel and yourself to a drivable position where you can take in all the instruments. If you have the wheel low enough to clearly see over the top, long legs will tangle with it every time there's pedal action.You get 285 litres of boot space, so it offers some practicality, but you won’t be carting any fridges home.SAFETYThe 208 gets a five-star safety rating, with six airbags on board, stability control and anti-skid brakes with extra assistance for panic stops and to counter uneven loading.DRIVINGThe GTi is all about response, and getting the job done without fuss. The styling isn’t attention-seeking, and if the exhaust note isn’t as rorty as you’d like, it won’t matter once you get going – the attitude will be rousing enough.Push that pedal and the engine answers instantly, keep the revs high enough and it keeps giving more. Up above 3000 is where it really generates heat, but a wide torque band means it’s smooth and strong in the lower register for normal – or mildly keen – jaunts. At that level it’s surprising comfortable, with the firm suspension still managing to baffle all but the worst ruts.There’s joyous snicking through the close-ratio gear slots with the sharp, precise shift feel. And while the GTi may not lead for firepower, it’s not falling behind in the fun stakes. Get it going and the car feels suctioned to the road, sashaying through corners with smooth glee. Pushed hard, it’ll betray a touch of body roll, but overall it’s well-balanced and confident.There's no argument about the steering accuracy. Turn the wheel and the Pug obeys. And it’s that all-round tractability is the 208 GTi’s charm. You can fire it from corner to corner, then tickle it around town – and it will step up to the plate at either end of the job sheet.VERDICTIs it the 205 GTi? No, of course not. But a worthy successor, most definitely. It’s nimble, fast and fun – everything a hot hatch could be. And it’s stylish, well-equipped and good quality, which is everything any car should be.Peugeot 208 GTiPrice: under $30,000Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmCapped serivicing: $270/yr for 3 yrs/60,000kmService interval: 12 months/20,000kmSafety rating : 5-starEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 147W/275NmTransmission: 6-spd manual; FWDThirst: 5.9L/100km; 98RON; 139g/km CO2Tank: 50LDimensions: 3.9m (L), 1.7m (W), 1.4m (H)Weight: 1160kg

It's been a couple of months now and our time with Peugeot's classy 308 Allure is drawing to a close. We really like the car for a number of reasons not the least being the fact that it's different - you don't see one on every street corner.For some reason it's not on many people's radar but the Peugeot brand has been substantially rejuvenated in the past year or two offering style and efficiency in a range of affordable cars with that certain French chic.The six-speed conventional automatic places the sweet looking Pug in a torrid segment with up to eight direct competitors from Japan, Korea and Europe. The main one would be VW's Golf diesel.VALUEThe current, well featured Pug lineup deserves a second look particularly with fixed price servicing now included. Prices for the 308 range start at $22,990. The Allure tested here is the top of the range going from $37,990.It includes leather, premium audio, cruise with speed limiter, dual zone climate control, comprehensive instrumentation, multi wheel controls, auto wipers, park assist front and rear, Bluetooth, pollen filter with charcoal filter as well, rain and dusk sensors for wipers and lights, remote wheel buttons and a decent trip computer.We really appreciate the auto wipers and headlights and would like to see them adopted on all cars. How hard would it be? The lack of satnav as standard equipment is a bit of an issue for the $37,990 ask.DESIGNPeugeot upgraded the 308 mid-2011 with a sleeker look that toned down the large grille and gave the car a more prestige appearance inside and out. It is in fact available in three body styles, hatch, CC (coupe/convertible) and wagon.The 308 hatch looks good heightened this time around by some funky daytime running lights. Love the interior styling, Peugeot has really nailed it here. It has a French flair and is much better than Peugeot's efforts in the recent past.The firmish seats are comfy over a long drive and the stylish cabin is a pleasant place to be. It has room for five and the load space can be doubled in size with the rear seats folded. Fits easily in the garage too.TECHNOLOGYMechanically it's actually fairly mainstream - electric power steering, Macpherson strut and torsion beam suspension, 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine with 120kW/340Nm output and capable of clocking as little as 6.3-litres/100km. The tank is 60 litres. No drinking problem here thank you very much it's all about sipping the precious essence to elicit maximum yield in terms of output and economy.We really like the fact that this car has both a charcoal filter and a pollen filter for cabin air purification. It means no more toxic fumes while you drive along. The six speed conventional automatic transmission marries up well to the engine and is always at the ready with the right cog for any given circumstance. The manual dips into the fours impressive.Bear in mind that Peugeot's engine building operation supplies many highly regarded European manufacturers with diesel and petrol engines - the same as what is fitted to Peugeot's lineup (sometimes tweaked). The 2.0 turbodiesel isn't as advanced as the 1.6 turbodiesel also available in 308 but is good to drive with smooth operation and plenty of punch readily available simply by pushing the go pedal.SAFETYFive star safety includes all the usual equipment to achieve that and comes with what Peugeot calls an Assured Service Plan no more than $330 a year for servicing. The roll-on grunt available at most intermediate speeds makes overtaking safer and quicker.DRIVINGIt's been a pleasant dalliance with pretty much no down side and some surprises to help keep our interest. We prefer an auto turbo diesel because there's a smoother power delivery due to constant turbo speed and boost. Better around town too. The 308 would make a capable long distance touring car and equally proficient commuter.It gets going straight off the mark and delivers lineal acceleration right up to whatever you choose. Better yet the 308 is a good thing to drive, a touch of class for not a lot of money.Indeed, the really impressive thing is how it goes, rides and handles. Performance is never lacking with plenty of kick off the mark, in the mid range and to some extent up near redline at 4000rpm. Minimal noise or vibration enters the cabin and once a desired speed is attained, it's all quiet on the western front.Not billed as a sports hatch, Peugeot has been able to imbue the 308 with clever dynamics that see it corner flat as a tack (no body roll) and yet still smooth out rough roads with its supple suspension.We continue to be impressed by its flat stance through corners at speed which normally means a hard ride from a stiff suspension. Not so here as the small car soaks up the bumps without flinching and continues on the chosen trajectory through a turn.Funny thing is, the suspension isn't anything special in technical terms a strut front and torsion beam rear. Can't get simpler than that. We drive plenty of cars and very few have this flat cornering characteristic. It's good.Other dynamics are impressive - the brakes, steering and chassis are similarly competent in an unobtrusive way. You can feel it all working but don't realise it until you actually pay attention. It's like Peugeot's of old supple and controlled.VERDICTYes, interesting car, goes great, plenty of kit, economical, excellent long distance cruiser. Looks pretty good too. A worthy competitor in the luxury small European segment against the likes of Golf.Peugeot 308 Allure 2.0 HDiPrice: from $37,990Warranty: 3 years roadside assistEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 120kW/340NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 6.3L/100Km, CO2 164g/km

Without stretching too far, you could conceivably opt for Peugeot's 308 2.0-litre diesel Allure instead of a BMW 3-series and come out driving a vehicle with quite a few similarities at about 25 grand less.FAMILIARThere's a familiar drive feel between BMW's 2.0-litre turbo diesel 3-Series and the Pugs and the ride and handling package is sporty/comfortable in both. They offer about the same interior room and are similarly economical. The Pug is just as luxurious as a diesel 3-Series offering a swag of high-end goodies and it now looks classy outside thanks to a toned-down face and other styling tweaks.Still a front wheel drive though but that shouldn't trouble the average punter as the 308 is a good thing to drive, a good thing to own especially now that Peugeot has fixed price servicing and fun to drive.VALUEPeugeot revamped the 308 about 18 months ago adding new equipment.  The test vehicle, top of the five-door hatchback range, goes for $37,990 but you get more car than you think because the styling tricks your eye. It's quite well endowed technically with a wide range of multi media kit, Bluetooth phone and audio, auto wipers and headlights, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, dual zone climate control air and a modern technical look to the dash. Not quite to VW levels at this stage though.TECHNOLOGYWe like the way it goes with plenty of kick from the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine driving the fronts through a six speed conventional auto. With 120kW/340Nm on tap it matters nought. Fuel economy rates a combined 6.1-litres/100km.DESIGNIt's quite a large "small" car with adequate room for five inside and a decent boot. Peugeot have added a smaller grille with more of a V-shape as well as myriad other changes. The sporty seats have partial leather but cloth where it counts and a useful range of lumbar support adjustment. The folding rear seats add to its practicality.SAFETYAs expected, the new 308 gets a five star safety crash rating.DRIVINGYou'll never find it lacking. It's just a matter of pushing your right foot and away it goes -- whoosh. Up to 35kg has been shaved off 308's weight but this particular model still tips the scales at a hefty 1427kg.VERDICTThe 308 is growing on us. We are about to embark on a Christmas holidays road trip of a few thousand kays. That will be the real test. Will keep you posted.Peugeot 308 2.0 HDi AllurePrice: from $37,990Warranty: Three years/100,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAPEngine: 2.0-litre diesel 4-cyl, 120kW/340NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDDimensions: 4.3m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H)Weight: 1427kgThirst: 6.1L/100km (as recorded), 164g/km CO2

The small-medium Peugeot 206 was a great car in its day and appealed to those looking for something out of the ordinary. Many were sold to Australians who enjoy driving, not to mention those who love all things French. It rode and handled like a quality car and its dynamics were well ahead of those of the typical Asian cars of the time.Despite the excellent handling, ride comfort remained good, even on rough Australian roads. Though it’s mainly aimed at suburban running, Peugeot 206 can easily be used as a long distance cruiser thanks to its compliant suspension and the usual concentration on relaxing travel by French suspension engineers.The styling of the baby Peugeot broke new ground, with big bold curves and sweeping angles. In particular look at the asymmetrical shape of the body and at the bold lines of the C-pillars. So successful was the shape of the little car that the designers eventually carried the styling theme to the rest of the Peugeot range.In its home country the Peugeot 206 is used by many as a family car so has excellent space efficiency. There's reasonable accommodation for four people and a fair amount of luggage. The 206's interior has been designed to provide a variety of passenger/luggage combinations by folding different seats as required.Most 206s are sold as hatchbacks with either three or five doors, but there's a fascinating open-top model that’s gained a lot of admirers in Australia. Tagged the Peugeot 206CC, with the CC standing for Convertible-Coupe, it has a solid metal roof that can turn it into a convertible at the push of a button. This car was in the vanguard of what has become a popular type in Australia and still draws attention today.There's also a full on sports model in the 206 GTi and its even stronger brother the GTi180. These not only have plenty of engine grunt, but also sports seats, 15-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and ABS brakes. The GTi variants cost a fair bit more than the standard models but offer decent value for money for the driving enthusiast.Engines in the Peugeot 206 begin with a 1.4-litre unit, only sold from March 2002 and used in the lower cost variants. The 1.4 has better performance than you might expect in a car of this size, but try it for yourself, preferably with a reasonable number of people on board before settling for its lower price. Far more common is a 1.6-litre engine installed in cars from the original 1999 imports onwards.A 2.0-litre unit, which is a very large powerplant for a car of this size and light weight, is sold in the sports GTi. That model comes in several formats; most have 100kW or 102kW power outputs but the GTi180 punches out a very healthy 134kW, or 180 horsepower hence the car’s title.Though the engine capacity in the 180 horsepower unit remains at the same 2.0 litres as on the standard 206 GTi, the 180 has variable valve timing, a twin exhaust system and quite a few detailed changes to increase efficiency. The result is a zero to 100 km/h time of a pretty respectable seven seconds.The 2.0-litre engine is also offered in some versions of the 206CC convertible, but only in its lower-powered format. The added weight of the adaptable roof also takes the edge of the car’s performance. But, hey look at that lovely open air feeling, isn’t that more important?Most models in the Peugeot 206 range have a five-speed manual transmission as standard, with an optional four-speed automatic for those who drive in traffic a lot. From the March 2004 model update the automatic came with tiptronic-type manual overrides. Peugeot 206 GTi comes only with the manual gearbox.After a long and successful run in Australia, the 206 was replaced by the Peugeot 207 in a gradual changeover that began early in 2007 and continued model for model for most of the year. In turn, the Peugeot 208 arrived in Australia in mid 2012.Peugeot is long established in Australia, so there's a strong dealer network. The company is represented in some country areas, not just in the major metropolitan zones. Servicing costs and spare parts prices are generally reasonable and we seldom hear of any real problems with parts availability.Insurance costs tend to sit midway up the charts of most companies. The hot 206 GTi models attract higher premiums than the standard ones, but generally not to an outrageous extent.Make sure to arrange a full inspection of any French car you’re considering as, sadly, they don’t have the build quality of Japanese machines.Check that the roof mechanism on a 206CC works smoothly and that there are no unexpected noises during its operation. During the test drive be sure there are no wind noises from the roof when it’s closed.Look for severe tyre wear on a GTi and also for a lot of dust buildup on the wheels. Check for the dust behind the wheels as a smart seller will have cleaned the obviously visible areas at the front.Engines are generally smooth so be suspicious of one that’s on the rocky side, particularly when first started from cold.Check the complete interior, paying special attention to the condition of the seats as they don’t always stand up to the rigours of harsh treatment by Aussie kids.No matter how sure you are of your ability at checking cars it still makes a mountain of sense to call in a professional for the final examination.