But does it work?

However, we’re of the opinion that different can only be considered truly good and worthwhile if the experience it brings is better. We spent a week with the 208 and, for the most part, were genuinely impressed. First, the steering wheel dominates your experience. It looks and feels high quality, covered in leather and chrome, but its small sizes tricks your perception of how the car drives. Because it’s so much smaller than a regular wheel, the same arm input turns the wheel further.

The result is that the 208 feels very darty and sharp handling, which adds a - perhaps artificial - sense of fun to the driving experience, which is reminiscent of Peugeots of old.

We like the gauges too. They’re exceptionally clear and high quality, beautifully lit at night and you can pull up a big digital speed read-out on the centre TFT between rev counter and speedo, which makes it very easy to keep an eye on your speed at all times.

But don’t be fooled into thinking this is like a digitally projected head-up display. You still need to refocus your eyes on the gauges, and off the road, unlike a true head-up display such as BMW’s where the speed appears to be projected off the end of the bonnet. It’s just you’re refocusing over a shorter distance, so your eyes can do it faster and it should be less tiring.

    See also:

    An extended e-HDi range
    After its launch of the 508 and the new 308 in 2011, the 208 will benefit from the e-HDi technology on 4 of its 5 diesel power trains. Fast, effective and silent, this new generation Stop&Star ...

    Overview
    Right from the start of the project, the technical choices structuring the "A9" project (internal code name of the Peugeot 208) were directed on the basis of the PSA Group's platform 1 t ...

    Compactness and lightness
    The reduced front overhang (- 6 cm compared with the 207) and the shorter rear overhang (- 1 cm) , alongwith the reduced weight of the vehicle, directly benefit improved proportions, agility and e ...