motoring
PEuGEOT 108 TOP!
Summer is on its way - a time when thoughts begin to turn to open-top motoring and a neat alternative to a full convertible is the new Peugeot 108 TOP! which features a full-length electrically-operated fabric sunroof.
This roof effectively make the 108 hatchback the nearest thing you can get to an out and out convertible, but without much of the wind buffeting you get from a full drop-top. The 108 hatchback is an economical and
A PLEASING CAR TO DRIVE, COMFORTABLE EVEN ON
A VERY LONG MOTORWAY TRIP AND OF COURSE VERY NIMBLE AROUND THE CITY.
available – a 1.0 and a 1.2-litre – mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. My recent test model was a TOP! in mid-spec Allure trim and with the larger 1.2 litre engine which gives 82 hp and a respectable 0-60 mph time of 11 seconds. Top speed is 106 mph and the fuel economy figure is very good at 65.7 mpg combined. I found it a pleasing car to
drive, comfortable even on a very long motorway trip and
rather chic city car which offers great scope for personalisation, which Peugeot feels is ‘ a key element’ in attracting younger buyers. Available in three and five door forms and the TOP! Cabrio version, prices start at £8,345. There are two three-cylinder petrol engines
of course very nimble around the city. On hard acceleration, the three-cylinder engine is a tad throaty but it does seem to suit the personality of the car. On corners, the 108 is grippy and confident and the ride quality is fine on smooth tarmac though like most city cars with short wheelbases, can get a bit jittery on rougher surfaces. Exterior styling does reflect Peugeot’s bid
to move up-market, with a higher-quality appearance and some trendy design touches. The cabin has cool young-buyer styling with a large dominant speedometer and most of the main functions controlled via a touchscreen – there is barely a button or switch to be seen on the centre console. All models come with stability control, multi-
airbags, tyre-pressure-monitoring system and hill-hold control, LED daytime running lights, electric front windows and a USB point. My Allure model added alloy wheels, reversing camera and auto lights among extras and with the powered sunroof too, was priced at £12,495. The 108 TOP! takes four adults with reasonable
space for the rear occupants, though the boot space, 180 litres, is not class-leading. Rear seats do fold down which does help with larger loads.
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