Peugeot 208 Review - 1.2 GT Line

Meet the plucky Peugeot 208 1.2L GT Line. It's compact, so B-segment in dimensions like a VW Polo. It's warm, not hot - so not a GTI by any means, nor is it a Renault Clio RS, the other French firm that just so happens to be the benchmark in small fiery hatchbacks. Curiously, the Clio also offers a GT-Line model, that's an almost identical moniker for an almost identical ethos, that of a mildly warmed-over but not quite performance-oriented model several notches below the halo car. Which brings us neatly to the three-cylinder'd Pug 208.

Just look at it!

Cute huh? The styling of the 208 GT Line is clearly derivative of the 208 GTI, the rortier sports model also in the range. That means racy tinsel such as 17" diamond-cut Caesium alloy wheels tucked into the arches, gloss black detailing hither and thither with red accents chucked in to spice up the mix. These enhance an already attractive European design that favours style rather than outright aggression. It looks tough, like a tiny pugilist that takes itself a bit too seriously. It's instantly likeable and alludes to a fun helm, but we'll get to that later. GT Line badges littered everywhere further hints at an engaging driving experience.

Get in there, my son

Slip inside the five-door bodyshell into the sportily-themed cocoon and you're met with red stitching, leather surfaces and Peugeot's rather good i-Cockpit interface. The system refers to the instrumentation viewable through the tiny (no, really it's SMALL) steering wheel, incorporating amongst other things heads-up information display and ergonomics that reward those who take the time to get used to it. Bisecting the dashboard you get a large 9.8-inch touchscreen with controls for everything from media to HVAC. I like the former, loathe the latter, often wishing for analogue dials for quick climate changing. It isn't a deal breaker by any means, just something I'd have to acclimatise myself to if I found myself having a meaningful relationship with a 208. A great cabin then just oozing premium ambience, impressive in a R259,000 hatchback.

Punt or shunt?

Shall I skip ahead and just admit it's not a terribly fast car? I'll get to its redeeming qualities in a moment but here are the numbers; from its turbocharged 1199cc engine is derived 81kW and 205Nm which in a sprint from standstill to 100kph takes 9.6 seconds. Not exactly ages but then it won’t threaten anything hotter than a Suzuki Swift Sport (0-100kph in 8.7sec) either. Cogs are swapped manually via a 5-speed transmission. The feel on the shifter is a bit vague, soft even, but didn’t disappoint when used with some enthusiasm, slotting in predictably as you climb the ratios. It makes a good noise, like a little dog trying to outbark the pitbulls, wholly belying the tiny 3-cylinder engine under that Ruby Red bonnet. There’s definitely fun to be had at the diminutive helm which certainly does take getting used to. There’s also some sensibility, thanks to an environmentally friendly footprint at with 104g/km of carbon emissions and a frugal fuel economy at just 4.5l/100km. It’s a great engine this PureTech Turbo, 2015’s International Engine of the Year in its category in fact, which is always nice.

That twisty life

Point it at a tarmac with bends like spaghetti and the little Pug perks up and goes for it. Here lives a firm suspension, struts at the fore, a torsion beam aft, and all sorts of fun in between. Steering feel favours feedback, is easy to twirl thanks to its tiny diameter while the turbo’d engine is gratuitous with delivery of its small reserves of torque making the experience of pulling from apex to apex a joy. Even if it’s just a thimble of joy as opposed to a bucket like you’d find in something like a BMW M5. This isn’t that by any means. And while it isn’t meant to necessarily challenge the aforementioned Suzuki they do sell for similar money and that makes it a competitor. An admittedly quicker competitor but then the Pug does also offer that Euro chic you’d more readily associate with something like a Mini Cooper. 

Okay, let’s wrap this up

There's much to enamour you here in the 208 GT Line. At R259,000 I’d even accuse it of being reasonable. The lukewarm performance feels like a bonus in a world where more and more cars are running on small-capacity, forcefully aspirated 3-cylinder engines. Kit levels are high; I refer to both toys and safety and then there’s Peugeot’s 3 year/100 000km warranty and 45 000km service plan to further sweeten the deal. There’s not much to complain about if I’m honest. The 208 GT Line feels like the perfect stylish alternative to the econobox stalwarts, which alone is worth the price of admission.

Peugeot 208 1.2L GT Line Specs:

*Includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty and 3 year/45 000km service plan.