Peugeot Philippines has literally and figuratively taken the covers off the new 2008 subcompact crossover at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). But more than just being yet another entry in a hotly contested segment, the latest from the French carmaker comes with a slew of features that had us taking a second look.
The second-generation Peugeot 2008 makes its Philippine debut at the 2022 MIAS
Peugeot 2008: Animal-inspired exterior
By now, fans will have no trouble associating Peugeot with images of the lion, the oldest such trademark in the world. It should then come as no surprise that the company incorporates elements of this regal beast on a model such as the 2008 that emphasizes speed, agility, and flexibility.
The lion motif is certainly evident on the fascia
There’s the three-claw lighting system used on the LED daytime running lights in front, making the 2008 look ready to pounce towards its prey. The outermost segment flows down the fascia towards the chin, resembling bared fangs. Meanwhile, the effect is repeated as an LED ‘Claw Effect’ on the tail lamp cluster, giving the impression of a big cat bounding away across the pavement for the next hunt.
Peugeot 2008: Driver-centric cockpit
Few contenders can claim to have a cockpit that’s laid out in favor of the driver, and the Peugeot 2008 is one of them. Especially notable is the 7-inch floating-type touchscreen monitor that’s slightly canted in favor of whoever is holding the 2008’s unique steering wheel.
The best cars are those that see the driver as the center of the universe
Toggle switches for climate control settings and touch shortcuts for the head unit’s functions are also located within easy reach while driving. It’s nice to see Peugeot respecting the driver seat’s status as a place of privilege and power.
Peugeot 2008: 3D i-Cockpit
Those accustomed to using a standard instrument panel might take a little getting used to the 2008’s version, but it will be worth it. Called the 3D i-Cockpit cluster, it displays information in staggered layers, resulting in a 3D effect for better visibility.
The display on the 2008's 3D instrument panel can be reconfigured
The 10-inch display can be reconfigured in various modes according to the driver’s preferences, and is mounted in a high position to simulate a heads-up display, allowing users to view the panel while still able to see road conditions ahead.
Peugeot 2008: Visiopark 1 rear-view camera
A drawback of standard rear parking cameras is the limited field of view that they afford, which means that there are still certain blind spots that the driver might not be aware of. The 2008 solves this with its Visiopark 1 rear camera.
In addition to the standard view with grid and overhead perspectives, Visiopark can be set to the expanded 180-degree coverage, spanning the rear and quarter views from the vehicle’s tailgate, still accompanied by the overhead feed. This is ideal in watching out for anything or anyone that could be crossing into the 2008’s path.
Peugeot 2008: Power under the hood
Propulsion comes in the form of a 1.2-liter PureTech gasoline engine. Don’t be misled by the displacement, though. This power unit happens to be turbocharged, despite running on an inline-3 configuration.
Its 1.2-liter gasoline engine might be small, but it packs plenty of punch
The resulting output is certainly respectable, considering its size. There’s 130 horsepower on tap for instance, coupled with 230 Nm of torque. All that is channeled to the front wheels via Peugeot’s 6-speed automatic transmission with Quick Shift technology.
Know more about the things that make new releases special at Philkotse.com.