Peugeot 2008 GT | Test Drive

18 January 2021 Redazione News, Tested

PEUGEOT 2008 GT

Words by Marco Mancino / Photos by Richard Montagner

First introduced in 2013 as a medium-small size crossover, the 2008 underwent a slight aesthetic makeover in 2016, definitively leaving room for the new model during 2019. The second generation is a completely new car that picks up the lucky stylistic direction undertaken by the recent 3008 and 508, settling in all respects between them and winking more at the world of SUVs, all while maintaining fundamental characteristics for those looking for a car that can be used without any kind of compromise and therefore wide space on board, but small dimensions, efficiency and also that liveliness that the version I’ve driven manages to offer, despite a small in-line 3-cylinder under the bonnet.

The model I had for several weeks is obviously the top of the range, a 155 horsepower 1.2, with the now renowned 8-speed automatic gearbox, GT package and two-tone body that alternates between two of the favorite colors of one half of our beautiful Milan: black and red. Soccer arguments aside, the new 2008 is one of the most beautiful everyday cars you can meet on the street, after all, just look at its aggressive but not at all vulgar front and you’ll get what I mean. The lines become more angular towards the sides, where the design loaned from the bigger sister 3008 is taken up with great incisiveness, the same goes for the rear in perfect harmony with the other profiles and where we find another distinctive trait of the French lion in the burnished rear lights featuring 3 elements on each side that recall the scratch of this ever increasingly surprising feline.

Five doors, five seats and a luggage compartment big enough for everything can come to your mind. Then, in the front area, a modern design and avant-garde solutions are what you will deal with, with a dashboard almost completely devoid of buttons and which leaves the burden of managing the infotainment, the multimedia, the sat-navigator and also the air conditioning system from the 10″ (or 7″) touch display that dominates the automatic gearshift lever located in the center of the tunnel, just in front of two cup holders and buttons for the parking brake and for the selector of the different driving modes available. In front of the driver, in addition to the usual small steering wheel with paddles, we have the 3D cockpit already seen on the new 208 – with which the 2008 shares the chassis – still keeping to make me dizzy rather than convince me, while the seating position remains low enough to offer better driving feedbacks than usually happens with crossovers.

On the move, the 155 horsepower of this particular model are a delicious treat and allow the 2008 to move smoothly under any circumstances, taking advantage of the elasticity of the 3-cylinder PureTech, without experiencing any kind of uncertainty, not even approaching the red line. The fact that I find myself driving it as it happens to do with a small sports car is surprising and the engine gives its best over the entire rpm curve, losing just a pinch of roundness only towards the rev-limiter. The gearbox is always precise and never implies having to act personally on the ratios, while the 240 Nm of torque available at 1,750 rpm combined with a mass of just 1,200 kg represent one of the strength bits of a car complete from every point of view. Nice and pleasant to look at, drive and own, thanks to running costs within everyone’s reach.

The 2008 starts at around € 21,000 with the 1.2cc 100 hp petrol version, passing through the € 22,500 of the one with 130 hp and € 31,850 for a model like the one being tested here. In between there are obviously the various Active, Allure and GT Line packages, the equally valid diesel engines starting at € 23,050 (1.5cc 150 hp) and € 28,250 (1.5cc 130 hp), or the fully electric e-2008 with a declared mileage of 320 km and starting at around € 38,350. To sum up, there really is something for all tastes and budgets. What is certain is the fact that the 2008 is one of the best cars you can buy to make everyday’ trips pleasant and at the same time intelligent – with an average fuel consumption of 5.8 l/100 km. Aesthetically flawless, modern and practical on the interior, it manages to satisfy even once at the wheel, what more could you want? It’s plain fantastic.

PEUGEOT 2008 GT

Layout   –  front-engined, front wheel drive

Engine  –  3 cylinder 1.199cc – turbo

Transmission  –  8-speed automatic gearbox

Power  –  155 hp @ 5.500 rpm

                      240 Nm @ 1.750 rpm

Weight  –  1.205 kg

Acceleration  –  8,2 sec.

Top Speed  –  208 kph

Price  –  from € 31.850