Stylishly unconventional new 2019 Peugeot 208 revealed

The all-new 2019 Peugeot 208 has made its online debut ahead of bowing in at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Looking stylish and bold, the new 208 is set to make other superminis look conventional and unimaginative.

Based on Peugeot’s new Common Modular Platform (CMP), the new 208 weighs 30kg less than the outgoing model while promising better refinement, with a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness levels.

And while those are crucial ingredients for the new model, it’s the 208’s bold new looks that will be headline grabbing. Inspired by the 508, the 208’s front fascia features similar diagonal LED light strakes and a prominent front grille.

Around the back, the chic design continues with tinted “three-claw” LED taillights that are connected by an applique emblazoned with the ‘Peugeot’ script. A range of wheel options is also on offer depending on the trim levels.

Inside, the new cabin is modern and upmarket, featuring many of the styling elements from recent Peugeots, including the sometimes-controversial ‘mini’ steering wheel, digital instruments and a prominent i-Cockpit infotainment screen ranging in size from 5- to 10-inches.

At launch, the new 208 will be offered with a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. The 1.2-litre develops 55kW of power and is connected exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission. The diesel meanwhile delivers 74kW and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Peugeot says it will also introduce a 74kW petrol model with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic and a range-topping 96kW variant mated exclusively with the eight-speed auto further down the track.

Additionally, a 100kW/260Nm all-electric e-208 packing a 50kWh battery and an electric motor is also on the cards. It is said to be capable of dashing from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds, while providing a range of 211km under the WLTP cycle. The e-208 will support 100kW rapid charging capable of topping up the battery to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes.

The new 208 is loaded with safety technologies, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Lane Positioning Assist, Full Park Assist, Automatic Emergency Brake Assist (with day and night pedestrian and cyclist detection), Active Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Monitoring, Speed Limit Recognition, Active Blind Spot Monitoring and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition.