Peugeot South Africa re-launches with 108 and 5008 models
Here in South Africa, the Peugeot brand might not be considered as the main brand such as Volkswagen or Toyota but it has a long history within our country.
Did you know that the first Peugeot was imported into SA in 1902 and the first real take off for the brand in SA was with the 203? In 1985 the brand withdrew from the country due to political reasons however it returned in 1995 under the McCarthy banner and in 2003 PSA was established. Now the brand has been given a corporate refresh, it has dropped some models from its line-up but has, as I experienced recently added two more in the form of the 108 and 5008.
The 108
The 108 is a city car designed for the young at heart, but don’t be fooled by the compact proportions as the 108 offers a host of features. On the styling side of things I particularly like the front end of the car, many manufacturers tend to make their budget cars look quirky however Peugeot has maintained styling elements that can be found on other cars in the stable such as the front bumper which intrudes into the high tech projector type headlights lights. The lights also feature LED daytime running light technology. On the front, the metal chrome-like grille also reaffirms the brands DNA. The Peugeot lion emblem also takes pride of place between two sculpted lines on the bonnet. The rear lights feature the now-iconic claw-like signature while the rear windows are not rolled down but instead pop outwards.
The interior of the 108 was surprisingly good considering the segment that the car competes in. The facia is stylistic with a large centre hub which houses a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Windows. The system is neatly placed for ease of use while lower down, one will find the climate control functions as well as a storage compartment in front of the gear lever where you will locate the USB port. Although you only get two air vents on either side of the dashboard, the car does offer to air-condition. Rear occupants will find the 108 a bit snug and the boot is relatively small but then again this is a relatively small car.
The 108 is powered by a 3 cylinder 1.0-litre VTi petrol engine that develops 53 kW and 93 N.m. My short time behind the wheel was enough for me to conclude that you will need to work the 5-speed manual gearbox when driving up an incline however it does feel nippy. The French automaker claims average fuel consumption of between 3.8-litre to 5.8-litre per 100km. The biggest plus point for me, however, is the fact that the little 108 is jam-packed with standard safety features such as six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBFD, Hill Start Assist as well as ISOFIX mountings for child seats.
The 5008
With the current focus on SUV’s, the world over, Peugeot South Africa has added a flagship to its line-up in the form of the 5008. The car features typical Peugeot design with an aggressive front end and contoured bumper which extends into the unique LED headlights which feature DRLs. The car comes with two grille options as well as bumper options depending on the model trim you select. The GT Line offers the sporty bits as well as 19-inch rims and I particularly like the contrasting gloss black roof.
It is however inside of the 5008 that impressed me, the facia is modern and angled towards the driver while the steering wheel is small, which creates the impression that you are in something small and nimble. The 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster offers five display modes and can be configured to display various forms of information such as trip, navigation or media. There is also an 8.0-inch touchscreen monitor mounted atop the dashboard. Below the centre air vents, you will find piano key like switches that control various aspects of the climate control system as well as give access to other functions.
The interior is solid, made of good materials however I did notice some inconsistencies in trim fittings, nevertheless, I adore the design, I also like the somewhat quilted leather seats. The rear three seats are individually adjustable with all three offering ISOFIX. Customers will also be happy to know that there are two foldable seats in the back, these can be lowered effortlessly or raised and even removed by a push of a button.
There are two engine options available, both the 1.6-litre THP petrol and a 2.0-litre HDi diesel models are offered in either Allure or GT Line specification. I got behind the wheel of the 110 kW/ 370 N.m diesel at the launch and was left impressed with the smooth operation of the engine and 6-speed automatic gearbox and the power delivery, although not immense but sufficient. One of the biggest highlights for me is the chassis, the 5008 is incredibly comfortable on and off-road. It glides over uneven surfaces becomes extra comfortable because of the seats. Unfortunately, my time behind the wheel was very brief however I look forward to spending more time with the car when it arrives for an extended test.
Pricing:
108 Active: R179 900
5008 Allure 1.6: R534 900
5008 Allure 2.0 HDi: R554 900
5008 GT Line 1.6: R579 900
5008 GT line 2.0 HDi: 599 900
