SPY PICS: Peugeot 208 spotted
Rip off the black plastic and you're likely to see the new Peugeot 208 in what could be close to its final guiseThe object pictured here is not, as you could be forgiven for thinking, a snapshot of somebody who has accidently driven into an airborne garbage bag.
But if that was indeed the case, the car unwillingly dragging along all that black plastic wrapping would most likely be Peugeot’s upcoming 207 replacement, dubbed 208. And impressions are it is closer to the final product than you might think, as the 208 is expected to be launched in Europe some time later this year.
Looking at the concealed bumps and bulges you’d be pushing to say much about the car underneath except that it appears to be a five-door hatchback with design cues linking it to the new 508 sedan – particularly at the front where the grille sits between the obligatory swept-back headlights. The final look will most likely be somewhat toned-down from the sometimes dramatic renderings that have been appearing in the press for some time.
What does look likely is that the 208 will borrow some styling ideas from the SRI Concept drop-top hybrid revealed at the beginning of 2010, particularly around those headlights and the grille opening that does away with the gape-mouthed look employed by Peugeot over the last few years.
It is expected the new car will, as is the manner of all things, bring more passenger and luggage space as well as new technology to improve performance, economy and environmental footprint.
Word is the new Peugeot will be offered with a new three-cylinder engine in normally aspirated and turbo form, as well as four-cylinder diesels and new BMW-developed petrol engines. Start-stop technology could well be standard, according to the rumour mongers abounding in the auto industry.
As before, the new mini Peugeot will be available in hatchback (three and five-door), station wagon and CC coupe-convertible form.
Australia? If Peugeot follows normal practice, we could expect to see the 208 some time during 2012.
-- with Carparazzi
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