New 2016 Peugeot 2008 unveiled: first details

Set to make its public debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, the revised Peugeot 2008 will get a fresh design, updated engines, more equipment and be available in a new top-of-the-range trim level.

When it goes on sale – likely later in the spring – it’ll be up against rivals like the Renault Captur, Ford EcoSport, Vauxhall Mokka and SsangYong Tivoli.

New Peugeot 2008 design

As part of its mid-life refresh, the Peugeot 2008 gets a heavily revised front grille. It’s wider and taller than the one on the outgoing model, with the Peugeot lion emblem sitting directly in the middle of the grille, rather than on the bonnet.

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There are also new front headlight clusters and a revised front bumper, which, Peugeot says, gives the car a more “robust” look. On Allure models and above, you also get wider wheelarches, also designed to give it more rugged appeal, as are the front and rear scuff plates and the black plastic cladding running around the bottom of the car.

As well as changes to the front, the new 2008 has also been given new LED rear lights, while the distinctive stepped of the outgoing model remains.

Interior

Inside, Peugeot has sought to improve quality, as well as providing more technology and more equipment. There’s also more storage space in the passenger compartment, with a total of 24 litres available for your bits and bobs.

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From Active trim upwards, all cars get a leather-upholstered steering wheel, gearstick and handbrake lever. Some models also get a panoramic sunroof. All 2008s come with Peugeot’s ‘i-Cockpit’ interior, which includes a smaller-than-average steering wheel, high-set instruments that you look at over, rather than through, the steering wheel and a touchscreen-operated infotainment system.

In the 2008, this infotainment system will include Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink compatibility, which will allow specific apps on your smartphone to be shown on the car’s infotainment screen, letting you operate them safely (and legally) while at the wheel.

Practicality

Boot space has been marginally improved over the outgoing model – jumping from 350 to 410 litres. All models also get 60:40 split-folding rear seats, which, when folded flat, give a total of 1,400 litres – a 206-litre improvement over the current model. The current car’s low boot-loading lip remains, which should make it easy to get large, heavy items in and out.

Equipment & options

In addition to the current Access, Active and Allure trim levels, the new 2008 will also be available in top-of-the-range GT Line spec.

Intended to be the sportiest model in the line-up, it has 17-inch alloy wheels, while the exterior features gloss-black trim pieces as opposed to chrome. These include the front grille surround, roof bars and foglight surrounds. There are also several GT Line badges.

Inside, you get stainless-steel door sill covers, red stitching on the floor mats and stainless-steel pedals, while the instrument cluster is illuminated by red LEDs. As well as the floor mats, the car’s seats, steering wheel and handbrake lever all get contrasting red stitching, too.

Engines

Under the bonnet, the new Peugeot 2008 comes with a choice of five petrol and three diesel engines.

The petrols are all turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinders, producing between 81 and 128bhp. Fuel efficiency ranges from 57.6 to 64.2mpg, while CO2 emissions range from 102 to 114g/km, resulting in an annual road tax bill of £20 or £30. These are available with five or six-speed manual gearboxes, as well as a six-speed automatic (on the 109bhp version).

If you prefer diesel, there are three 1.6-litre four-cylinders to choose from. These produce 75, 99 and 118bhp each and are only available with a manual gearbox – the lesser powerful with five speeds and the most powerful, six. They all return around 76mpg, while none produces more than 97g/km of CO2, meaning they’re all exempt from road tax.

Safety & technology

As well as the aforementioned Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink compatibility, the new Peugeot 2008 will come with a host of other technologies.

All models have Active City Brake. At low speeds (under 20mph), this can detect an impending collision with another car or pedestrian. If you don’t take action, it’ll apply the brakes to avoid (or reduce the consequences of) the crash.

Also available on the Peugeot 2008 is the Park Assist system, which can find a parking space big enough for the car and steer into it (you only have to operate the pedals). You can also have a reversing camera.

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Peugeot’s Grip Control system is also available on all 2008s with more than 99bhp. This helps the car to maintain grip even on tricky surfaces. It has five settings: Standard, Snow, Mud, Sand and ESP Off. These all help to achieve the maximum grip for each situation. ESP Off only works up to 31mph and is only suitable for going up slopes on loose or icy ground.

We don’t know exactly when the new 2008 will arrive in the UK, but we expect to see it some time in the spring. And while there aren’t any details on prices as yet, expect to pay a little more than you would for the current model. We're likely to learn more when it make sits public debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show.