Power is a nice round 100bhp, while torque is a slightly more alluring 151lb ft (nearly as much as Renault’s all-time-great Clio 200 Cup).
Together, that’s enough to whisk the 208’s 1090kg from 0-62mph in 10.1sec. These are not the figures of a memorable pub boast, but as an antidote to the increasing complexity of the cars perched above the 208, they’re enough.
Agueda Yellow is Peugeot’s standard colour and the one you should pick to truly indulge the neon amusement arcade schtick we’re chasing here, but perhaps Cumulus Grey better conceals the delight within – the plastic egg wrapped around our vibrant new toy.
The wheels are already playing a sneaky game of their own, dinky 16in steelies hiding behind alloy-like trims that ape the bold designs of Peugeot’s posher, pricier offerings. Only the geekiest of passers-by might ever know.
There are sops to modernism. The key is a chunky plastic blob that you plonk in a cupholder (or tuck into your pocket) before depressing the clutch and holding the starter button for at least a second more than you would like.
Its engine then thrums perkily into life, unmistakably a triple right from the off, while the red, illuminated needles of its analogue dials spark up in the process.
Yup, the digital i-Cockpit is gatekept for higher trim levels, and I couldn’t be happier. I ran my own, first-gen 208 a few years ago (the racier GTi by Peugeot Sport) and always had a soft spot for its counterclockwise rev counter.
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