Times are tough, aren’t they? Cars are just so expensive these days. So it is such a breath of fresh air when a car is launched that not only comes in under R180 000 brand new, but delivers in terms of value for money. The Peugeot 108 is one such model.
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU KID
Ok, so I don’t adore the look, but I think that is only because the test unit I had was in a deep purple and was eventually only referred to as ‘The Grape” by all my friends and family. We know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it doesn’t actually matter what I think of the design, does it? I shall pop a photo below so you can decide for yourself.
Inside is pretty basic and one can feel the Toyota Aygo lurking in the wings. The Peugeot 108 is essentially an Aygo with a Peugeot badge slapped on it after all. Which is actually a good thing. As Gareth Dean of CARmag.co.za put it, “…there’s no doubt a combination of swoopy French styling and bulletproof Japanese engineering make it a compelling little car.”
The standard specification list is an impressive one. From air-con, power steering, LED daytime running lights, electric front windows to a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as Mirrorlink. It also boasts six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, stability control, Isofix anchor points and even hill assist.
I have a tiny gripe with the ‘Grape,’ and that is the air vent that sits on top of the dashboard. A few budget cars do this and it is explained that it cools the whole cabin down as opposed to just vents blowing at the driver and/or passenger. I do not agree with this. I want air on my face. I only get that from the one side vent and so end up with earache as I have to blast it.
The other tiny issue is that of space. It is rather limited at the rear and the boot is good enough for, well, possibly for a small grocery shop.
DRIVING THE GRAPE
The engine is a typical 1,0-litre 3-cylinder one. Its figures sit at 53kW of power and 93 Nm of torque. These sound teeny tiny, but when you consider that the 108 is also teeny tiny and weighs only 840kg, you can imagine how nippy it can be.
The five-speed manual transmission is fine, I always wish for a sixth gear. At highway speeds the 108 does feel a little strained, especially when wanting to overtake. But this car is made for the city. It is not made for long distance travel…unless you are happy to take a leisurely drive to your destination, which we should all be doing.
THE KICKER
Where Peugeot really takes things to a new level in terms of value for money is with what is called Peugeot Pride. Check this out:
A 5 year / 100 000km comprehensive warranty.
A 5 year / 100 000km comprehensive service plan.
Customer support: roadside assistance, 24-hour Customer contact centre, Licence renewal reminder, Service plan and warranty expiry notifications.
Customer experience: A service experience that can be trusted and believed in.
Peace of Mind Service and Repairs: Complimentary health check. Courtesy transport for all warranty repairs for 48 hours. Peugeot Parts basket that will always be competitively priced. Safety film option; tracking solution option; MicroDot; My Peugeot App.
That is all what you get in the neat little price tag of just R179 900.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Look, we all wish we had the money to buy our dream car. But we need to face reality sometimes and just accept that perhaps, we will only ever shop in the budget section of the car market. I hope not, but you get me, right? This Peugeot 108 offers customers a great package at a price tag that is budget friendly. And for that, Peugeot needs to be commended.
