What's the news?
Peugeot is giving the 208 supermini a thorough refresh for its mid-life update, although to be fair you'd be hard pressed to spot the changes from the outside. There are actually new lights front and rear and a bigger grille at the front but the changes are pretty subtle. You can now order alloy wheels embossed with a laser-etched diamante pattern though, if that's your cup of tea.
On the inside, buyers now get a standard leather steering wheel on all but the basic model, while the seven-inch touchscreen has been updated and now includes a 'MirrorScreen' connection for smartphones.
More significantly, there are new engines on offer. The core 68hp and 82hp 1.2-litre petrol engines are unchanged but there are new BlueHDi 1.6 diesels, including a 75hp version that Peugeot says can return a whopping 94mpg. There are 100hp and 120hp versions available too and there's a turbocharged petrol 1.2-litre as well, with 110hp and CO2 emissions of just 103g/km.
There are also changes to the GTi model, with a new range-topping GTi by Peugeot Sport version. Basically, this is the same as the recent limited edition GTi 30th Anniversary model, but without that car's split black/red paint scheme. It gets the same tweaked suspension and steering, the same Brembo brakes and Torsen front differential and Michelin Pilot Sport tyres though.
There's also a new GT Line 208, which keeps the standard petrol or diesel engines and suspension settings but comes with a chunky body kit that mimics much of the look and styling of the full-on GTi.