We all know that the Peugeot 2008 has been existed on Malaysian roads since 2014, but due to a popularity of HR-Vs, you may not seeing this French cub on highways, unless if you seeing it in the small cities like Bangsar. However, Peugeot Malaysia never give up by introducing the facelifted 2008 and its small hatchback counterpart, the 208 last January. Both of these cars come with a new set of engine, which are more towards power and efficiency, known as the 1.2 Puretech turbocharged engine.
What's New?
A 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, don't play play ah!
The new engine replaces the old 1.6 4-cylinder VTi power plant, which formerly produces 122 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at 4650 rpm. Frankly speaking, you might have a sense of a little disappointment with the horsepower figure, at the new one has 110 hp at 5500 rpm, but horsepower is not a big question. What is more important is the torque figure. With the aid of a turbocharger, the engine gains a 45 Nm extra, creating 205 Nm of torque at 1500 rpm.
To make it even more fuel saving, the 2008 comes standardly equipped with an idle stop system, which deactivates the engine for awhile during a stop at the traffic light, which reduces more CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
Another important thing of the facelifted 2008 crossover SUV is the updated automatic transmission, which is a 6-speed conventional automatic from Aisin. Yep, this won't disappoint most drivers in this decade as most crossovers that most of us know are CVTs.
6-speed automatic transmission, with Sport Mode and Snow Mode
The new 2008 gets a better, but fierce looking front fascia like most current Peugeots, with vertical lines across the grille with the cute little lion in the center of it.
The wheels are also brand new. It comes with a bigger 17" "Eridan" alloy wheels, and yes, it's way sexier than expected.
What's remaining the same?
As for the interior, the 2008 retain some of the design cues, except that the center screen of the infamous i-Cockpit, is no longer multicolored, as it is now a monochromic one. And by the way, you won't expect to have a push button start, but who needs that for this one because it looks like a pure driver's car. It's beautifully shaped like a plane cockpit, and futuristic enough for this affordable crossover!
Is the panoramic glass roof out of the list? Nope! It is still available so people at the back seats
can see the water droplets, or counting stars at night peacefully.
So how does it like to drive?
When sitting inside the driver's cockpit, driving the 2008 feels like a mixture between a sport hatch and a SUV. The steering feedback is absolutely direct and accurate when it plays around every corners. It gets even better and harder when it comes to high speed, and I totally loved the way it behaves. Compared to other compact SUVs that I've driven, the 2008 makes more sense like what it should be. The acceleration is considered sky high with the help of a turbo. Even though it holds a little bit slow especially in slow drive in the city, the turbo literally kicks in steadily at maximum throttle in the highway. I can say that it is considered a vast improvement over the pre-facelift one. Besides that, the new 6-speed auto tranny makes the 2008 more subtle to change gears, as it shifts really smooth compared to the old 4-speed slush box.
Conclusion
To sum this up, the facelifted 2008 brings more fun in terms of power and styling, and more fun in terms of your pocket money as this car is RM 10,000 cheaper, and less fuel to run. The 2008 only costs RM 106,693.97. If you think that you want to be more different in style, this will be your true selection if the HR-V is considered too mainstream.
Special thanks to Peugeot of Sungai Besi for letting me review and test drive the gorgeously-looking Peugeot 2008.
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