Peugeot 108

Peugeot 108
Charles01 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Peugeot 108
Manufacturer	Peugeot
Production	2014–2021
Assembly	Osny, Poissy, France
Class	City car
Body style	3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, convertible
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Related	Toyota Aygo, Citroën C1

Peugeot 108 The Peugeot 108 is a city car introduced by Peugeot in 2014 as a successor to the Peugeot 107. Designed for urban mobility, the model shared architecture with the Toyota Aygo and Citroën C1. The 108 was positioned in the B-segment alongside rivals such as the Fiat 500, Volkswagen Up!, Renault Twingo, and Kia Picanto. It served European markets including France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain before production ceased in 2021.

Introduction

Launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show alongside contemporaries from Volkswagen Group and Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, the 108 targeted urban drivers seeking compact dimensions and low running costs. The hatchback and retractable fabric-roof "Top!" variants competed against models from Fiat, Toyota Motor Corporation, Stellantis, and Suzuki Motor Corporation. Marketed with emphasis on customization and city practicality, the 108 capitalized on demand in metropolitan centers such as Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, and Madrid.

Design and Development

The 108 was the result of a joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota Motor Corporation building on earlier cooperative platforms that produced the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107. Styling was led by Peugeot’s design studio in Paris with influence from concept vehicles shown at events like the Geneva Motor Show and Paris Motor Show. Exterior design cues referenced the family identity established by the Peugeot 208 and Peugeot 308, with a compact nose, chrome accents, and sculpted rear similar to trends from BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz. Interior packaging borrowed ergonomic principles from small cars by Renault and Volkswagen, integrating controls inspired by models such as the Toyota Aygo X and compact trims from Ford Motor Company.

Chassis engineering incorporated suspension lessons from previous PSA small cars and lightweight strategies seen in Toyota Yaris development programs. The convertible Top! variant used reinforced body structures similar to techniques employed by Mini and Abarth to maintain rigidity. Development cycles referenced regulatory frameworks set by the European Union and crash test protocols from Euro NCAP.

Powertrain and Specifications

The 108 used small-displacement petrol engines supplied and developed within the PSA family, sharing technology akin to units found in the Peugeot 208 and Citroën C3. Available options included 1.0-litre three-cylinder engines and more efficient variants with stop-start systems influenced by innovations from Toyota hybrid research. Transmissions comprised 5-speed manual gearboxes and automated manual units comparable to systems in the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Polo ranges. Fuel economy figures were competitive with city cars such as the Toyota Aygo and Renault Twingo, while CO2 emissions were measured against targets set by the European Commission.

Dimensions positioned the 108 for city parking and maneuverability comparable to the BMW i3 footprint in urban scenarios. Steering and suspension tuning reflected input from suppliers like Magneti Marelli and Bosch used by several European manufacturers. Weight savings used high-strength steels as recommended by suppliers including Tata Steel and techniques paralleled by Mazda small-car programs.

Safety and Equipment

Safety equipment varied by trim but could include airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, and electronic stability control, complying with testing regimes by Euro NCAP. Passive safety engineering drew on standards implemented across PSA models and safety innovations from Volvo Cars in occupant protection philosophy. Optional equipment packages included infotainment systems compatible with Apple Inc. and Google smartphone integration, audio systems from suppliers similarly used by Renault and Ford, and driver aids reflecting technology partnerships with Continental AG and Denso.

Trim Levels and Special Editions

Peugeot offered multiple trim levels aligning with marketing strategies seen at Peugeot Motocycles and broader Stellantis branding. Editions such as "Active", "Allure", and "Style" paralleled naming conventions used by Citroën, Renault, and Volkswagen. Special editions celebrated events or collaborations, echoing limited-series approaches from Fiat (e.g., Fiat 500 Dolce & Gabbana), and often featured unique liveries, interior motifs, and equipment enhancements like those promoted by Abarth and MINI.

Market, Sales and Production

Produced at PSA facilities in Poissy, the 108 contributed to local employment and supply chain activity involving suppliers such as Valeo, Faurecia, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Sales performance was evaluated in comparison to segment leaders like the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Up! across European markets including Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Shifts in consumer preference toward electrification and the emergence of small electric models from Renault and Nissan influenced PSA’s strategic decisions. In 2021, the collaboration with Toyota ended and production ceased, reflecting broader industry consolidation and platform realignment involving Stellantis.

Reception and Awards

The 108 was generally praised for urban agility, low running costs, and customization, drawing comparisons with successful city cars such as the Toyota Aygo and Citroën C1. Reviews from automotive publications and organizations—echoing editorial lines similar to those from Autocar, Top Gear, What Car?, Auto Express, and Car and Driver—highlighted its practicality in metropolitan centers like Paris and London. While not a major recipient of industry awards on the scale of European Car of the Year winners, the 108 featured in compact car round-ups alongside models from Volkswagen Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Category:City cars Category:Peugeot vehicles