Peugeot 108 – History, Design and Legacy

 

The Peugeot 108 is a compact city car produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 2014 and 2022. Built in partnership with Toyota and Citroën, it represented the final generation of Peugeot’s long line of small, efficient urban vehicles that began with the Peugeot 105, 106 and later, the 107. Stylish, practical, and unmistakably French, the 108 was designed to bring refinement and flair to everyday motoring.

From the 105 to the 108 – The Evolution of a City Car

Peugeot 105

The Peugeot 105 was a small car prototype developed in the late 1970s that laid the groundwork for Peugeot’s later city cars. Though it never reached mass production, it heavily influenced the successful Peugeot 106 which arrived in the early 1990s.

Peugeot 106 (1991–2003)

Launched in 1991, the Peugeot 106 was Peugeot’s first proper supermini, designed to offer agility, comfort and affordability. A 5-door version followed in 1992, and by the late 1990s it had become a familiar sight across Europe. It received a facelift in 1996, introducing side-impact protection and smoother exterior styling. The 106 GTi variant gave the model real performance credibility, cementing its place as a small car with big ambition.

Peugeot 107 (2005–2014)

In 2005, Peugeot replaced the 106 with the Peugeot 107, a joint venture with Toyota and Citroën. Built at the TPCA factory in Kolín, Czech Republic, it was compact, efficient and simple to maintain. Powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, it offered nimble handling and impressive economy. The 107 received updates in 2009 and 2012, adding improved safety features and a refreshed design, but by the mid-2010s it was due for replacement.

The Launch of the Peugeot 108

The Peugeot 108 debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, entering production later that year. It was sold in both three-door and five-door body styles and offered a fabric-roof version called the “108 TOP!”. It shared its core structure with the Toyota Aygo and Citroën C1 but featured Peugeot’s own distinctive design — a bold grille, claw-mark rear lights and customisable colour schemes that allowed buyers to add personality to their car.

Design and Build

• Compact dimensions: around 3.47 metres long and 1.62 metres wide
• Available in both 3-door and 5-door configurations
• Optional retractable fabric roof (108 TOP!)
• Distinctive LED daytime running lights and “lion claw” rear light signature
• Interior focused on improved materials and touchscreen infotainment

Engines and Performance

• 1.0-litre VTi petrol engine (Toyota-sourced) – 68–72 PS
• 1.2-litre PureTech engine (Peugeot’s own) – 82 PS
• 5-speed manual and automated manual gearbox options
• Emissions from just 88 g/km CO₂ in some versions

Trim Levels and Variants

• Access – entry-level, focused on affordability
• Active – added air conditioning, touchscreen, and DAB radio
• Allure – premium features including keyless entry and reversing camera
• Collection – extra styling touches and colour themes
• GT Line – sporty design, alloys, and dark trim
• Roland Garros Edition – exclusive colour schemes and high-end trim

Updates and Revisions

In 2018, Peugeot updated the 108 with a new 72 PS 1.0-litre engine, improved fuel efficiency, and minor interior refinements. Despite its success, the 108’s production ended in January 2022 after Toyota assumed full control of the Kolín factory. Peugeot chose not to renew the model, marking the end of the brand’s long-running city-car era.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

• The Peugeot 108 was the final member of the “108–107–106” lineage.
• It was assembled alongside the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo at TPCA in the Czech Republic.
• The 108 TOP! version featured a full-length folding fabric roof, a rare feature in its class.
• Its “lion claw” tail-lights became a hallmark of Peugeot’s design language.
• Despite its small size, the 108 offered up to 780 litres of load space with rear seats folded.

Legacy

The Peugeot 108 marked the end of an era for compact Peugeot models. Where the 107 was quirky and minimalistic, the 108 aimed for refinement and choice — bringing touchscreen technology, better sound insulation and more stylish design to the city-car class. Though discontinued, it remains a symbol of Peugeot’s ability to blend practicality with character, and it continues to be a popular choice on the used car market for drivers seeking reliability and charm in equal measure.

Conclusion

From the early days of the 106 through to the final 108, Peugeot’s city cars have shaped how drivers think about small vehicles — efficient, affordable and effortlessly European. The 108 brought that heritage to its most polished form. It may no longer be in production, but its combination of flair, frugality and fun ensures it will be remembered as one of Peugeot’s finest small cars.