My GT7 Log: Summer Like It's 2008

When you think of 2008, what comes to mind? The Beijing Olympics? The global financial crisis? Barack Obama? It could be anything as long as it is associated with the memorable events of the year 2008. However, in the Peugeot catalog, there is a car not made in a year 2008. It's a car that was named the 2008. THE PEUGEOT 2008. Here in Gran Turismo 7, I got the chance to drive one, the second-generation Peugeot 2008.

Launched in 2020, the second-generation Peugeot 2008 eschews its sleek looks that draw resemblance to the 208 for a sleeker design that is utterly mistaken for its big brother, the 3008.  The new model offers a choice of a 1.2 petrol and a 1.5 diesel engine, as well as the first ever electric powertrain that can go up to 320km on one full charge according to WLTP standards. The model featured in Gran Turismo 7 is the one with the 1.2L petrol engine with 129HP of power and 170ft-lb of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Like its predecessor, the second-generation 2008 is front-wheel drive only by default, but the Advanced Grip Control makes it more capable on either tarmac, gravel, or snow.

To test out the capabilities of the FF-only Peugeot compact crossover, I went to Brands Hatch for a one-lap time attack. It may not be as exciting as such, but I need to keep it active. Let's roll the tape.

My performance in 2008 at Brands Hatch resulted in a time of 2m05.466s. While it may not be particularly exciting, it clearly demonstrates what this front-wheel-drive Peugeot compact SUV is capable of.

As I noted some time ago during my first encounter with the second-generation Peugeot 2008, it's a modern crossover that may not be worth the wait for everyone, but it's certainly worth considering for those seeking space, technology, eco-friendliness, performance, and versatility. Its inclusion in Gran Turismo 7 may also not be worth the wait, but it’s definitely worth a try.

A Peugeot crossover named after the year the Beijing Olympics took place, the world financial crisis struck, and Barack Obama became US President... Just don't call it a 2008 Model Year Peugeot car. Just call it the Peugeot 2008. That's it.

Peugeot 2008 II

The Peugeot 2008 crossover has reached its second generation, and like its 208 relative, it now spawns an electric variant. Time to dish out the newest version of one of Peugeot's popular crossovers that caught every Europeans' attention since the first one came out many years ago.

2021 Peugeot 2008

The all-new Peugeot 2008, priced at 22,100 Euros plus additional costs, has evolved from a sleek-looking compact crossover that draws resemblance to the 208 to a sleeker crossover that is utterly mistaken for its big brother, the 3008. Being a French crossover, the new 2008 champions itself with its new design, high-tech interior, others would call it minimalist, new powertrain, and new safety tech.

2021 Peugeot 2008

Let's take a deep dive into the design first, and from every angle, the new model does look like the 3008, meaning that the new model is falling prey to the Russian doll effect, which some would definitely take note of. On the inside, the new model, like today's Peugeots, falls prey to the minimalist route that caused speedo boys running scared because you can't find any buttons to control the aircon and the volume. Only the touch screen, ladies and gentlemen.

2021 Peugeot 2008

While the minimalist dashboard scares away speedo boys, the accommodation is rather great by crossover standards. It seats up to five people and has decent cargo space, big enough to fit just about everything.

2021 Peugeot 2008

The new Peugeot 2008 offers a choice of petrol and diesel engines as well as the first ever electric powertrain that can go up to 320km in one full charge according to WLTP standards. While the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine and 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine weren't too shabby on the roads, the diesel-powered one is the one to avoid because this is Europe today, and diesels are going to be outlawed by law, with petrol to follow shortly.

Common sense the powertrains can be, the new 2008 is front-wheel drive only by default, but the Advanced Grip Control, the one championed by its rival compatriot, the Citroen C3 Aircross, makes it more capable on either tarmac, gravel, or snow. With its car-like handling, tall ground clearance, and this, the new 2008 feels like it's capable of doing today's chores without breaking a sweat, well, almost.

Because the new 2008 is all about common sense for the commoners, it features Peugeot Drive Assist Plus, a wide array of semi-autonomous driving aids that let it do the talking on the road, as well as other safety features such as Active Safety Brake, Distance Alert, and many others. Noticeable as such, but it's worth attention-grabbing.

The new 2008 is the modern crossover that is not worth the wait for some, but worth the shot by many looking for something that has space, tech, ecology, performance, and versatility. Like it or not, the new 2008 is common sense on the road, and it looks like Peugeot's on the SUV offense right now.

Photo: Groupe PSA

Peugeot 2008

Ever since both the Peugeot 208 and the Renault Clio IV came last year, it seems that these two really knows how to outdo themselves by showing off some of their additions. For high-performance versions, Renault launched a new generation Clio RS 200 with some EDC rubbishness according to hardcore Renault fans, which later got alienated by a 3-door only Peugeot 208 GTi. Now, for the FWD crossovers Peugeot wants to outdo the Clio-based Captur crossover with this car...

2014 Peugeot 2008

It's this; it's called the 2008 and the name is somewhat misleading to historians because even though this car is an all new model, the name of the car kinda feels like it was made in 2008. (Pun intended, whatever)

While the name is pun intended because it's the name which is somewhat a year in gesture, the 2008 was made to answer against the Renault Captur but I was wondering, is there something redeeming that the Renault Captur doesn't have?

Let's start on the outside because while the Captur is pretty much like a Clio on steroids, the 2008 is a nippy little crossover that has the looks of a chubby little girl who has her own TV show on the telly. Sorry about that but never mind about that because it doesn't look so bad though. It's not as bad as last year's 208 compact hatch but if you let that little hamster out of the window, chances are that he'll mock about the 2008's front view. Yeah, right. You'll be laughing at hamster mocking about its face, that's for sure.

2014 Peugeot 2008

The 2008 can be powered in either a 1.2L VTi, a 1.6L VTi, or a 1.6L e-HDi engine with three different configurations. Whatever floats your boat with either of these engines, there's nothing wrong with either of those but there are some few issues with those engine types. First of all, the 1.6L petrol engine that powers it is nothing more of a less powerful version of the engine found on the hot 208 GTi but despite that, it feels a bit well relaxed. It's like the La Salette Shrine in Silang, Cavite. Anyway, enough about that, another issue was its diesel engine because it adds a hundred kilograms to the weight, therefore it wasn't quite as agile as a hot hatch but if you're focusing on the carbon malarkey, it's not half bad.

As a crossover hatchback like the Captur, the 2008 is available only in front-wheel drive but for those who want to take it out for a bit of "adventure time" with you and me (obviously), more expensive versions come with Peugeot's Grip Control which works similar to the one I found on the Renault Scenic XMOD. It has four different modes; Snow, Off-Road, Sand, and ESP Off, and it can be switchable at the turn of the dial. It's like a Range Rover in so many ways and it's not quite bad for the adventurous type of person but because this is FF-only, it lacks the ruggedness of a normal SUV but let's just forget it.

2014 Peugeot 2008

So, those engine types were okay for the 2008 but as for the ride, it's not quite bad if you're careful and its Grip Control system is somewhat more of a traction control switch rather than being a terrain response you get in the Range Rover but what's it like to be on the inside? Well, this is just like the 208 compact, just, then there's room for five passengers, there's an extra rear space for passengers at the back, very practical boot space for luggage purposes, and the one thing that will redeem itself, the touch screen as seen on the 208. Yep, that addictive feature as seen on the 208 can be found on the more expensive versions and that's more like it for those who are up in the beat for music and anything else such as telematics and vice versa.

As for the pricing, the intro price for the 2008 is 15,200 Euros so that is well cheaper than the Renault Captur rival but you need to spend some extras for some optional extras on it. But still, it's a bargain for those who can't afford a Captur.

Available colors; Blanc Banquise, Noir Perla Nera, Gris Artense, Spirit Grey, Bleu Virtuel, Brun Makaha, Gris Platinum, and Blanc Nacre.

So, there we have it folks, the Peugeot 2008 can be an alternative for the Renault Captur because of its pricing but for adventurous use, it takes a man and a woman to be wise enough to use it on the urban jungle but not for any ridiculous purposes such as taking it to the extremes because this is not a worthy offroader thanks to the fact that it's available only in FWD, which is much like the Captur or the Scenic XMOD.

With Peugeot back in the Philippines, expect the 2008 to come here very very soon...

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen