The 2014 Peugeot 108 all-new compact city car has officially been revealed and will for the first time be offered as a convertible with a retractable fabric roof, but will also be offered as a hatchback model.

Engine line-up

The French city car engine line-up is made up of four efficient three-cylinder engines including a 1.0-litre e-VTi delivering 51 kW to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and accounts 88 g/km of CO2 emissions when using the stop/start system.

There’s also a larger 1.2-litre PureTech VTi petrol which emits just 99g/km CO2 and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, although a five-speed automatic transmission is available on the standard 1.0-litre VTi petrol model.

Exterior features

At 3470mm long and 1620mm wide, the 108 is a little longer, but slightly narrower than the outgoing 107. The front end is dominated by its bold grille, central beam and lower air intake, while the front lamps are firmly set into the bodywork. There’s also black and chrome accents and LEDs with daytime running lights.

It will be sold not only as a three- and five-door hatchback, but also as a cabrio (called 108 TOP!) with a retractable fabric roof and comes with a curb weight of just 840 kg.

Peugeot has also equipped the 108 with an open-air version with an aero-acoustic deflector which automatically deploys in order to diminish cabin turbulence. Depending on the selected trim, the 2014 Peugeot 108 will be fitted with 14-inch alloy wheels shod in 165/65 R14 ultra-low rolling resistance tyres or 15-inch rims wrapped around in 165/60 R15 rubbers.

Interior features

The inside of the Peugeot 108 has been designed to be “intuitive to use, with each area being allocated to a specific function and information brought together for easy and quick reading.”

It has a height-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic air conditioning and a seven-inch touchscreen display. Behind the steering wheel are controls for the speed limiter, while the fuel filler flap opening and heated electric mirror controls are easily accessible on the dashboard. The controls for the front electric windows fall readily to hand, grouped together on the driver’s door panel.

There’s also an Open and Go system, six airbags, and electric power steering along with the electronic control switch for the retractable soft top.

Safety systems

All versions come as standard with a hill start assist system along with an indirect tire under-inflation system. Stopping power is provided by 247mm front ventilated discs and 200mm rear drums, as well as systems such as ABS, Emergency Collision Braking System, switchable ESP and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.

The 2014 Peugeot 108 will officially debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. We should see the 2014 Peugeot 208 reach South African before the end of the year.