Peugeot 208 Black Edition
Styling tweaks aim to take supermini out with a bang
A NEW Peugeot supermini is on the cards for 2018, but for now the firm’s 208 marches on, five years after its debut. The launch of the Black Edition, focusing on styling tweaks, makes it clear the current 208 won’t be around for much longer.
It’s only available as a three-door, and replaces both the entry-level Access and low-spec Active specifications as an attractive entry point to the 208 range. The Black is £95 more expensive than a fivedoor Active equivalent, but Peugeot is offering some tempting deals on the new arrival, including deposit contributions, keen finance rates and low monthly repayments.
There are three colour choices, with white and grey alongside the obvious black finish. On the outside, you get 16-inch black alloy wheels, a gloss-black grille and door mirrors, and tinted rear windows. While style is subjective, if you want to stand out from the crowd, the Black Edition’s tweaks could be tempting.
Other highlights include a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, electric and heated door mirrors, and cruise control. The touchscreen system isn’t the slickest and it has a low resolution, but it’s a welcome addition considering it features DAB and Bluetooth, plus Apple Carplay and Android Auto for maps and music. Refreshingly, there are no options to choose from.
While the cabin gets smart-looking black cloth trim and a leather steering wheel, the 208 is beginning to feel its age inside. The first-generation i-cockpit dashboard has been around since 2012, and although the finish is good, the design is in need of an update. The digital dials found in Peugeot’s new 3008 SUV are a massive improvement, and only make the 208’s set-up feel dated and unintuitive. For some owners, finding a comfortable position in which the instruments aren’t blocked by the steering wheel will remain difficult, and even on short drives can prove irritating.
Under the bonnet, the 208 Black comes exclusively with Peugeot’s 81bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, hooked up to a five-speed box. This takes it from 0-62mph in 12.2 seconds, and because there’s no turbo, it feels rather lethargic. It doesn’t fit with the sporty exterior, either, which is a shame.
While claimed economy of 68.2mpg is good, the 208 falls foul of the Government’s new road tax bands. Before, the 1.2 Puretech engine’s 104g/km CO2 emissions meant the Black Edition would have cost £20 a year to tax, but now it sets you back a flat rate of £140 – although that’s the same story with its supermini rivals. Young buyers should find it cheap to insure, though, because it sits in the same group 10 as the 208 Active.