Johannesburg -
Peugeot has given its 208 GT-Line model lineup a sharper edge with a revised and up-specced GT-Line flagship.
Externally, the changes are so minor that only rivet counters will spot them, with slight differences inside the headlight clusters and a minor change to the grille mesh.
Inside, the GT-Line sports seats upholstered in black and red with contrasting stitching (including the seatbelts) and a small, sport multifunction steering wheel with full leather trim are unchanged, but the infotainment set-up has been updated with a new feature called Mirror Screen, which uses MirrorLink for Android phones and Apple CarPlay for iPhones to display compatible apps on the 18cm touchscreen and manage them using the vehicle controls.
For less sophisticated phones, conventional USB and Bluetooth connectivity are also still provided.
All Peugeot 208s come with 1199cc PureTech three-cylinder petrol engines; the GT-Line, however, also has a turbo, boosting power from 60 to 81kW at 5500 revs, and torque from 118 to 205Nm at 1500rpm, good enough for a 0-100km/h sprint in 9.6 seconds and a claimed top speed of 190km/h, at a nominal cost on the NEDC cycle of 4.5 litres per 100km/h.
But perhaps the most important number is the bottom line: Peugeot SA is selling it for R259 900, which is about 25 grand less than the last batch went for - and they came in a couple of years ago.
PRICES
208 Active 1.2 60kW R224 900208 Allure 1.2 60kWR239 900208 GT-Line 1.2 Turbo 81kWR259 900
Pricing includes a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a three-year or 45 000km service plan.