Peugeot’s automotive history consists of key periods in which the firm decided to give its range a twist. One of those changes has a specific date: 1982. The lion’s signature launched the Peugeot 205 that year, a youthful vehicle and very different from the sedans it manufactured at that time. Almost forty years have passed and the 205 has been crowned as one of the firm’s icons, with more than 5 million units registered. A few decades later, the brand aims to relive those moments of glory with the new Peugeot 208 and does so by following its equation: daring design, technological innovation and an innovative driving position.
The Peugeot 205 appeared in a decade marked by the sobriety and functionality of the manufacturer. The brand itself recognizes that its vehicles were too conservative and were even called ‘the car of the notaries’. Its reliability and sophistication were not in doubt, but the average customer did not think of Peugeot for their garage. They had to dare, with a more sympathetic and urban utilitarian. Then the 205 was developed, lighter and more versatile with a choice of 3 or 5 doors. Even now they are models that we can see circulating in classic meetings, especially its 1.3 Rallye version with up to 103 hp.
This model incorporated safety equipment such as ABS brakes or stability control (ESP), almost premium systems at the time. The democratization of technology and security is also present in the new 208, especially in its interior. The driving position has been, and will be, one of the keys to the Peugeot models. In 2012 it launched the first model with the built-in i-Cockpit, a new interior concept focused on the driver and his comfort. With the new 208 it reaches its third generation and, in this article, we will review its beginnings.
