Hybrid powertrain for 208 GT delivers thrift enhancement.

FACING up to a fresh future in New Zealand - with revisions that include a fresh face.

A big change for Peugeot’s 208 small hatchback is that this range entry model now only arrives with a hybrid drivetrain, in a $45,990 GT presentation.

To see that, though, means lifting the bonnet. And before that occurs, you’ll spot the styling revision that makes it easy to pick; for its fifth year of production, it picks up a new, more imposing frontage.

The sculpted bonnet, three-claw LED light designs, large chrome-flecked grille and prominent rear piano black trim give it an even more distinctive look than its predecessor, as well as its alternatives.

The base engine is a 1.2-litre that is abetted by an integrated 48 volt electric motor; in generating 100kW and 230Nm, it’s the more powerful of two that issued with this wide-ranging upgrade. It pairs with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The previous GT had this engine in orthodox form which made 96kW and the same torque as the update. 

So what’s the point of electrification? Peugeot says it makes the engine torquier at low revs and 15 percent more fuel efficient. It also says the set-up will optimally run in pure-electric mode for more than 50 percent of the time in urban settings.

The 208’s exterior rework brings it in line with the updated 2008 and it’s not just about the front. The rear light bar has been adapted in turn with three red ‘claws’ extending the full width of the boot.

Inside, a 10.0in touchscreen previously reserved for higher trim levels in many markets is now standard, with this GT also receiving a high-definition panel. 

The divisive i-Cockpit dashboard design remains. That means you get a small steering wheel with the dial pack in a pod that's positioned high on the dashboard so it can be seen over the rim.

An enhanced suite of driver assistance features has been added, including adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition and lane-keeping assistance. 

This generation of 208 has been around since mid-2019 and it sits on a platform that also underpins the Opel Corsa.

Brian Carr, the newly installed general manager of sales for Peugeot NZ, says the updated car represents a significant forward-looking turning point for the make here.

Peugeot NZ also has the fully electric e-208, in pre-facelift form, and has not yet clarified what future that car has, though it has made point of relating that the hybrid underlines the brand’s commitment to sustainability as the make aims to electrify all Peugeot models, both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, by 2025.