2017 Peugeot 208 was spotted in India wearing a TR-C plate which is a temporary registration generally issued for transporting the vehicle from one end to the other.
The 2017 Peugeot 208 was spotted testing in Mumbai, wearing a PureTech badge that pointed to the presence of a 3-cylinder petrol engine under the hood. The Peugeot 208 debuted back in 2012 and was also spotted testing in 2015.
The car we see here is a 2016 facelifted version and Peugeot still having quite a lot of time to set shop in India, we believe this Peugeot 208 hatchback could either be a private import or a test mule imported for data collection and validation.
Internationally the Peugeot 208 comes with three PureTech engine options – a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre engine that produces 68 HP, a 1.2-litre engine that produces 82 HP and a turbocharged 1.2-litre engine that produces 110 HP. The Peugeot 208 imported back in 2015 came with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor paired to a 5-speed gearbox.
The 2017 Peugeot 208 spotted here could be running the same powertrain as well but interestingly the car spotted here runs a TR-C plate which is a temporary registration generally issued for transporting the vehicle from one end to the other. However, reports suggest that Groupe PSA will follow Renault’s new-found strategy of introducing a crossover styled hatch, a rugged MPV and a compact SUV. If these reports are true then the Peugeot 208 seen here could be helping the carmaker in collecting valuable data about the drivetrain, suspension and driving cycle from the Indian perspective.
Earlier this year, Groupe PSA, the French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, announced its partnership with the CK Birla Group, hinting towards a brand relaunch into the Indian market by 2020. Since the CK Birla Group has a strong presence in Chennai with its current plant that assembles SUVs for Mitsubishi, PSA has identified the same as its hub for assembly and production of its upcoming Indian portfolio.
Later Peugeot also acquired the Ambassador brand from the CK Birla owned Hindustan Motors as a part of the new partnership. Now what remains to be seen is whether Peugeot will revive the Ambassador brand in India or not.
2017 Peugeot 208
– The 2017 Peugeot 208 has been spotted in Mumbai
– The Peugeot 208 debuted back in 2012 and was spotted testing in 2015 as well
– The Peugeot 208 spotted here was wearing a PureTech badge that pointed to the presence of a 3-cylinder petrol engine
Source – Overdrive.in