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As of this morning, my computer informs me that I have tested 298 cars, not including multiples at launches. The list is made up of 34 manufacturers and includes everything from a full electric to twin-turbo V12’s. Until this morning, for reasons unknown, this list did not include a Renault Clio.
Daar is nie werklik ‘n Peugeot 208×2 nie; die “x2” dui maar net op die twee Peugeot 208-modelle wat ons getoets het. Die bakwerk is presies dieselfde maar onder die een Leeutjie se enjinkap is daar die moderne 3-silinder, 1 199 cc enjin; onder die ander een is daar die groter 4-silinder 1 598 cc eenheid.
Daar is met groot verwagting uitgesien na die dag wat Peugeot die mark vir nutsvoertuie in Suid-Afrika sou betree en met die bekendstelling van die 4008 vroeër vanjaar is daar aan hierdie verwagting voldoen. En laat mens dan ook maar dadelik byvoeg dat Peugeot met die 4008 weereens meer as voldoen aan die hoë standaarde van betroubaarheid en rygenot waaraan Peugeot aanhangers sedert die dae van die 404 en 504 so gewoond geraak het.
Peugeot is nie ‘n vervaardiger wat elke jaar met ‘n nuwe model te voorskyn kom nie, al verander hulle die vookoms van hulle leeu-embleem elke paar jaar. As die nuwe model dus wel sy verskyning maak, is dit die moeite werd om ernstig notisie te neem van die geleentheid.
Die wêreld het sedert die val van die Berlynse Muur in 1989 radikaal verander, Wes is nie meer Wes nie en Oos nie meer Oos nie. Maar ook nie heeltemal nie. Wie het ‘n dekade of twee gelede gedink dat Citroëns en Toyotas in die voormalige Tseggoslowakye gebou sou word en uiteindelik ‘n alledaagse verskynsel op Namibiese en Suid-Afrikaanse paaie sou word?
Peugeot het wyslik besluit om die 508-reeks in te voer. Daar is hoeveel Suid-Afrikaners wat lang en ver reise in hulle 504s oor die lengte en breedte van ons land onderneem het en net goeie herinneringe oorhou.
This was the caption of an advertisement in the British magazine, The Motor, in May 1962; fifty years ago.
The reason for this jubilation was that Peugeot – again – won the East African Safari. And they did have reason to be over the moon since they finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the 1600-2000 cc class in one of the most gruelling endurance rallies at the time. The winning 404 was driven by local driver, the Kenyan Nick Nowicki with Paddy Cliff as his co-driver.
2012 is a big year for Peugeot in South(ern) Africa. One of the very first conferences we attended in January was hosted by PSA to celebrate ten years in the region and introduce, with many coffee mills and lots of lion banners about the place, their new 5-year full maintenance plan.
The French car maker is on the back foot after years of damage done by after-sales woes so it’s great to see a renewed attack on market share, backed by bigger parts depots, better service and that impressive motor-plan. Dodgy past aside, their cars are always good to drive and the new 308 is no different.
A recent face-lift merely tugged at some of the car’s corners to pull out the odd wrinkle and add some silver make-up here and there. Its basic shape is still the 308 we know and occasionally loved, but now it looks a little more modern, more contemporary.
The interior hasn’t changed much either, in fact, I had to consult a previous photo library to determine if anything has changed at all. Compared to a pre-face-lift 308 GTi we had on test a year ago, the only marked interior differences are the steering wheel, seats and some materials.
Oh yes, and the gear lever. But that’s because the GTi has a 6-speed gearbox on its 1.6 THP turbo-petrol motor. The new one still does and will set you back N$305,200. The standard 308 is available with two trim levels (Access or Active), two engines (1.6 VTi petrol or 2.0 HDi turbo-diesel) and three gearboxes.
The 1.6 VTi uses either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed auto, the 2.0 HDi bothers a 6-speed manual and the last two models are only available in this higher “Active” specification. Prices start at N$207,100 for the 1.6 Access, this 1.6 Active is N$228,900 and the auto is almost as pricey as the turbo-diesel manual’s N$269,500.
Considering the aforementioned full warranty and some of their price bracket competitors, that makes most 308 models a very tempting proposition. Given assurance that everything will run smoothly come service time, I’d happily recommend this French hatchback. Why?
It’s different, it’s quirky, it’s French, all of which are cool features in my book and can brighten up a cold Wednesday morning more easily than a car which is identical to your neighbour’s and their neighbour’s and so on and so on. Its quirkiness isn’t overly alienating and the 308 makes a good everyday companion.
Here are a few items you’ll have to get used to when moving from a German or Japanese product to a Peugeot 308: visibility is excellent but parking can be tricky, you have no idea where the car’s extremities are. Then again, show me a contemporary Merc or Toyota that doesn’t have the same problem…
The large windscreen slopes severely and so does the short dashboard, leaving front occupants with an increased sense of space. The steering wheel has no buttons but is fully adjustable. There are two extra stalks for (1) cruise control and speed limiter, and (2) audio/telephone function.
Because you sit quite far away from the radio, last-named quickly becomes your best friend and its multiple buttons start making sense almost immediately. They also live on the right of the steering column, leaving your left hand free to change gears.
The gear lever has quite long travel and relatively precise movements, but a sixth gear wouldn’t have gone amiss here. At an indicated 130km/h, the 308 1.6 VTi is doing about 4,000rpm. The ratios are well stacked though and you won’t look for a sixth cog in everyday, urban traffic.
Here are some more interesting traits: the indicator sounds funny; the dual-zone climate control is excellent and easy to use, the instruments look delicate and dainty, the trip computer and audio screen takes some time to figure out and the rear seats don’t fold completely flat.
What appears to be a kick-down button is actually a manual override for the speed limiter. The engine idles almost without vibration. It revs willingly through ¾ of its rev range and, annoyingly, the wretched gear suggestion display is usually right –160Nm of torque make for good progress from relatively low revs.
As for specs and outputs, the 1.6 VTi kicks out 88kW (120hp) and we clocked 0-100km/h in an impressive 10.8 seconds. Claimed average consumption is 6.4L/100km but we usually hovered around the 8 mark, which isn’t bad either. Average CO2 output is just 147g/km and tank size is 60L.
The 308 is easy and relaxing to drive, handles and rides like a proper (comfy but predictable) French hatch should and comes with plenty of features like power everything, auto lights and wipers, remote central locking, ISOFIX anchors, full size spare, ABS, EBD, BAS, ESP, six airbags, alarm and immobiliser.
It could do with more power and an extra gear, but that’s what its bigger siblings are for. The 1,600 is surprisingly brawny, the 308 is impressively sized and built, and let’s not forget about that snazzy new maintenance plan. The old French lion may be backed into a corner but it’s sharpening its claws.
0-10km/h: 0.3s
0-20km/h: 0.6s
0-30km/h: 1.1s
0-40km/h: 1.7s
0-50km/h: 2.9s
0-60km/h: 4.0s
0-70km/h: 5.3s
0-80km/h: 6.9s
0-90km/h: 8.8s
0-100km/h: 10.7s
0-110km/h: 12.9s
0-120km/h: 15.7s
0-130km/h: 19.0s
0-140km/h: 22.7s
0-100m: 6.4s / 77.8km/h
0-200m: 10.4s / 98.2km/h
0-300m: 13.7s / 113.4km/h
0-400m: 16.7s / 123.0km/h
0-60mph: 10.1s
1/4mile: 16.7s @ 76.6mph (123.2km/h)
=====ADDITIONAL NOTES=====
Temp 26°C
Climate Overcast, mild
Altitude 101m
Road Dry tarmac, level
Occupants Driver, no passengers
Fuel level 1/2
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the waves of productivity at work – one week you’re shooting angry birds at green pigs, the next you consider cloning yourself. The poor Peugeot 5008 arrived in just such a week, when I could hardly care about another test car.
In die Klein-Karoo het ons destyds net Fords en Chevs geken. Maar hier rondom 1957 het ’n vindingryke ondernemer op Uniondale, ene mnr. Keller, ’n groot, nuwe, diamantvormige kenteken van gebakte emalje in swart, wit en rooi op sy voormalige fabriek se muur aangebring. In die middel van die diamant het ’n naam gepryk waarvan ons nog nooit gehoor het nie: BORGWARD.