Fresh Peugeot 2008 on the way

PEUGEOT'S 2008 crossover has been given a mid-life refresh that ushers in design tweaks, technology upgrades and the introduction of a new GT Line version.

Revealed a little more than two years after the arrival in Australia of the French-built compact SUV, the updated model will roll into dealerships in the fourth quarter of the year, although exact pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed.

Styling changes include the addition of lower black plastic body cladding, including wheel arch extensions, a new vertical front grille, scuff plates and black and chrome headlights give the 2008 a more aggressive look than the model it will replace.

There is a fresh look for the tail-lights and there are nine colours on offer including two new hues – Ultimate Red as seen on the 308 GTi, and Emerald Crystal.

A new GT Line version will also be offered for the renewed crossover and adds new 17-inch gloss black alloy wheels, more gloss black replacing chrome on the grille, foglight surrounds, mirror casings and roof rails, red Peugoet lettering on the grille and a unique rear stainless steel scuff plate.

Inside the GT Line gains aluminium pedals, red LEDs in the head-up display, red-stitching on the floor mats, seats, door armrests, gear-stick surround, handbrake lever and steering wheel and more red on the seatbelts and front door grips.

The GT Line is available in Australia on the 208, 208 and 508. It differs from the GT variant – available in the 308 here – which includes performance upgrades.

For the rest of the range, the cabin that features Peugeot's i-Cockpit interior layout largely carries over, but it now has access to MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and various other apps.

In Europe the 2008 will continue to be offered with a choice of five petrol engines, ranging from a 61kW 1.2-litre unit sipping 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km to a 97kW 1.2-litre unit consuming 4.8L/100km and six diesels including a super frugal 1.6-litre HDi sipping 3.7L/100km.

The Australian range consists of a 60kW three-pot petrol, an 88kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 68kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel and while powertrain selection for the new version is yet to be confirmed, it is unlikely to differ greatly.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia PR and communications manager Tyson Bowen said the company is satisfied with take-up of the 2008, despite it attracting low sales since its October 2013 launch.

“It's an extremely competitive segment,” he said. “That car arrived at probably the beginning of that segment exploding. From that perspective it is going quite well.

“There are certain elements of that car that compete very well within the segment. It's quite a practical design, it's got one of the bigger boots in the segment and we think that this refresh will give us a bit more visibility in a segment that arguably is very buoyant and extremely competitive.” Last year, 315 2008s found homes in Australia, a 35.5 per cent dip over the 2014 haul, keeping it at the rear of the compact SUV segment. In January this year, just 29 units were shifted, making it the third-slowest selling model in its sector behind its 3008 stablemate (15 units) and the SsangYong Korando (15 units).