Peugeot’s latest 2008 brings Gallic flair to the small SUV segment, with prices starting from S$125,888 including COE

Photos: Peugeot

SINGAPORE

It’s been an incredibly busy week for car launches in Singapore, with a whole slew of new models debuting here over the past five days, spanning the gamut from a V8-powered luxury saloon, to a nifty little hot hatch, to a gigantic eight-seater people carrier. 

Another car to arrive on our shores this week was Peugeot’s new 2008 small crossover SUV, which was unveiled via a virtual launch event on Facebook on 28 April. Two variants were announced at launch, with the Allure Premium trim retailing for S$125,888 inclusive of COE. The top-spec GT trim meanwhile is going for S$135,888 with COE.

The 2008 does pack in an impressive list of equipment for the money though. LED headlights are standard for both trims, with the GT’s lights also featuring auto levelling and cornering functions. Roof rails are also standard, with the GT’s finished in gloss black.

Inside, the 2008 features Peugeot’s 3D i-Cockpit instrument panel, which projects the information like a hologram effect. The display is dynamic and animated in nature, and can enlarge relevant information (like warnings) depending on their importance and urgency, drawing quicker attention to the driver if necessary. Peugeot says that the display is able to help drivers react half a second faster.

A 7-inch high-definition capacitive touchscreen sits on top of the dashboard, and incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a wireless charger, numerous 12-volt and USB ports, and flat-folding 60/40 rear seats. The GT trim also adds on top of that a panoramic sunroof, 8-colour configurable interior ambient lighting, and aluminium sports pedals.

There’s also a decent amount of driver safety equipment present, with the 2008 offering emergency brake assistance and a 180-degree reverse camera as standard. The GT model throws in lane departure warning, and a speed limit warning system that can also ‘tell’ the cruise control system to adjust the car’s speed accordingly if the driver chooses to do so.

Powering the 2008 is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that’s effectively the same unit that’s found in car’s bigger brother, the 3008. The engine develops 129hp and 230Nm of torque, driven through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and allows the 2008 to go from 0-100km/h in 9.1 seconds.

We’ve driven the 2008’s bigger brother, and it’s surprisingly impressive

The 2008 joins an increasingly crowded small crossover SUV segment that has seen a flood of new entries here in recent months. Among its key European rivals include the Skoda Kamiq, Volkswagen T-Cross and Renault Captur, but there are also cheaper Japanese competitors like Toyota’s strong-selling Yaris Cross to contend with as well.

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