Forget supercars – the updated 2023 Peugeot 208 is the forbidden fruit that we’re drooling over the most, thanks to the latest facelift update that takes the already-handsome compact hatchback to even greater heights. Why can’t we Malaysians have nice things, too? (Spoiler: it’s you, you SUV-obsessed bunch).
The biggest change on the new 2023 Peugeot 208 (and E-208) is up front. The frameless grille is now larger, and features a body-coloured mesh pattern to draw your attention to the new Peugeot emblem. At the corners, the previous single lion fang daytime-running lights are also replaced by a new triple vertical claws design that Peugeot says is inspired by the 9X8 hypercar race car.
Round the back, the three claws tail lights from before are now horizontally aligned to visually widen the car. A set of new 16- and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels round out the exterior updates, while the range-topping GT version takes the aggression up another notch with the blacked-out wheel arches and black roof, alongside the exclusive three-element headlights to match the new light signature.
RELATED: Peugeot unveils new interior design – Panoramic screen, touch-based controls in upcoming 3008
Changes on the inside are fairly minimal, with most of the interior appointments and the i-Cockpit system pretty much carried over unchanged from the pre-facelift Peugeot 208. For this update, the 2023 Peugeot 208 now come equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen in the centre as standard, paired to a 10-inch digital instrument cluster on most variants.
Other changes here are mostly creature comfort upgrades; the cameras are now higher in definition, the wireless charger (if optioned) gets a higher output, and you also get additional USB ports all around the cabin. Opt for the GT version, and you’ll also get an Alcantara-lined interior, contrasted by Adamite Green accents on the armrests, dashboard, and seat pipings.
Variants with the automatic gearbox will retain their low-profile rocker gear shifter on the centre, but the manual variant gets an updated shift knob as part of the 2023 update for improved ergonomics.
Yep, the French carmaker will still be offering manual transmission options on the updated 2023 Peugeot 208. That said, they’re only available on the pure internal combustion engine (ICE) options featuring the 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine, rated at 75 hp (five-speed manual) for the PureTech 75 and 101 hp (six-speed manual) for the PureTech 100.
All automatic variants on the 2023 Peugeot 208 facelift, meanwhile, get 48V mild-hybrid assistance as part of its six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Paired to the same 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot mill, outputs for the automatic variants are rated at 101 hp and 136 hp respectively for the Hybrid 100 and Hybrid 136 variants.
The highlight here, however, is the updated powertrain in the Peugeot E-208. A slightly larger battery pack (now 51 kWh instead of 50 kWh) increases the EV range up to 400 km (WLTP), up from 362 km from before, while an improved electric motor also raises its power output up to 156 hp, compared to the 136 hp of the pre-facelift model.
A 7.4 kW single-phase on-board AC charger is standard, requiring approximately four hours and 40 minutes to recharge from 20-80%. This can be shortened quite significantly if you opt for the 11 kW three-phase AC charger, or if you’re really in a hurry, DC fast charging is also supported out of the box at speeds of up to 100 kW.
ALSO READ: 2023 Peugeot 508 updated with new looks, but old engine tech
The European best-seller will begin deliveries in the continent later this year, before expanding to other markets by early next year. Don’t keep your hopes up for it to make an appearance here in Malaysia, though, as the crossover models are more popular locally, and Stellantis is in the business of making money instead of pleasing weird car nerds like me.
At least, the Peugeot 2008 also recently received a facelift update globally with many of the same visual updates. The fully-electric Peugeot E-2008 was also only recently previewed here in Malaysia, so chances are we’ll be hearing about the launch of the fully-electric crossover very soon.
GALLERY
