The French carmaker Peugeot has revealed the new 208 hatchback ahead of its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. In its second-generation, the premium hatchback will be offered with three power-train options: petrol, diesel and all-electric. The Groupe PSA is expected to commence Indian operations by 2020.  It owns brands such as Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall. The company is expected to commence operations in India with Citroen and DS brands initially. Peugeot 208 premium hatchback could also make it here and will be based on Groupe PSA’s smallest modular platform, the CMP (Common Modular Platform). 

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Peugeot is part of the French group of companies, Groupe PSA, which also owns Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands under its belt. Groupe PSA is likely to enter India in 2020, possibly with the Citroen and DS brands. However, the group could also re-introduce Peugeot in the country with its 208 hatchback in the near future. 

The 208 looks like a French car with a bold and modern appearance. The design elements like full-LED 3-claw lighting signature and the black band that runs over the width of the boot lid can be seen on other cars that sport the ‘Lion’ emblem as well.

On the inside, the new 208 gets Peugeot’s trademark i-Cockpit with a seamless three-tier dashboard structure like its family members. It has a fully-digital instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen ranges up to a whopping 10-inches. 

Groupe PSA is expected to start manufacturing these engines in the country under its joint-venture with CK Birla’s AVTEC soon. Meanwhile, the new 208 will also get an all-electric power-train. 

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The fully electric version of the hatchback, the e-208, is underpinned by the e-CMP platform. It will pack an electric motor powered by a 50kWh battery pack. 

Peugeot also claims that electric motor is capable of producing 136PS of power and 260Nm of torque and that the hatchback will have a range of 340km on a single charge under the latest WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) cycle. 

The carmaker will also offer a 100kW DC fast charger capable of charging the batteries to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes.

The car will pose a tough competition to its rivals Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Maruti Suzuki Swift. Peugeot has also revealed that the new 208 will be offered with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 1.5-litre diesel engine.