By MABUYANE KAKANA
There is something about South Africans and French cars that doesn’t add up. I’ve always known that this nation loves beautiful things. In fact, the German brands do very well in the South African market. So, the question I always get is that can when it comes to a brand such as Peugeot is that can it be trusted. Well, the jury is still out in that regard but they are doing their best, for example, the parts warehouse that was established five years back to deal with the after sales issues that always creep up.
Generally, Peugeot has in recent years released some gorgeous looking products. This brings me to the 208 GT Line which I spent a week acquainting with.
I have become a bit of a sucker for automatic gearboxes lately, blame it on age or just pure laziness to engage the gears in GP traffic. Though my life has been a little on the slow since I’ve moved to the slower part of the province but I still prefer autos over manuals.
Apart from being a little stunner, the French princess spotted an automatic gearbox joined to the 1.2 PureTech engine producing 81kW of power which was well received. The flagship model of the 208 range, received a minor but noticeable tweak earlier this year.
Key features include new headlights with black and chrome elements, creating a sharper, more assertive expression, while LED daytime running lights, together with repositioned fog lamps give the new 208 GT Line a wider, more emphatic look that also emphasises the hatchback’s dynamic character.
Enter the cabin, one is greeted by a typical Peugeot styling, these guys do not like plain things they prefer bling. The dashboard is filled with aircraft-like buttons and switches just like the bigger sibling, the 3008. The 208 GT is nippy and easy to drive, it feels at home both in the city and open roads. It got plenty boot space, though not large, to carry two medium suitcases for a long distance travel. It is what I call a perfect car for young families. As an everyday going to work car, the 208 GT ticks all the right boxes.
The GT Line comes solidly armed with a trip computer, electric power steering, air-conditioning, electric front and rear windows, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, and a refrigerated glove compartment make sure that every journey will be an enjoyable one. The sound system includes both Bluetooth and USB connectivity
Model range and Pricing:
208 Active 60kW: R224 900
208 Allure 60kW: R239 900
208 GT-Line 81kW: R259 900