Is a Small Car Necessarily an Entry Grade?

SUZUKI FumihikoThis is Suzuki from the OPENERS editorial department. Today, I'd like to discuss the appeal of the Peugeot "208 XY" with Mr. Kazuhiro Jo, Head of Public Relations at Peugeot Citroën Japan, and writer Tatsuya Otani.

First, Mr. Jo, the 208 XY was released as a catalog model at the same time as the "208 GTi". Could you tell us about the background and intentions behind its release?

Jo KazuhiroAs you know, French car manufacturers have always been good at making small cars. However, in France, small cars are not perceived as being of lower quality, nor are they treated as entry-level models.

At the root of this is a skepticism towards the idea that wealth equates to luxury, or that more expensive items are of higher quality.

For example, Peugeot has a lineup that includes the "208", the "308", and the "508". These are simply cars of different sizes; there is no difference in their quality, equipment, or inherent value.

This has been Peugeot's philosophy for a long time.

However, this way of thinking is not yet common in Japan. Therefore, we introduced the "208 XY" to propose the idea that "there are high-quality things even in small packages," or perhaps, "what constitutes a small yet high-quality car?"





OTANI TatsuyaHowever, the "208 XY" is based on the "208 GT," which is known for its excellent driving performance. What is the intention behind this?

JoGood driving performance is, in a sense, fundamental for Peugeot. However, with the debut of the 208 GTi, which is even more focused on driving, we wanted the 208 XY to offer a slightly different value.—

A "Sexual" Car

JoFor example, the model name XY represents male and female chromosomes, and beyond that, it signifies values between men and women, or values in romance. In other words, we thought that by expressing seduction between genders, or the romantic feelings that arise from it, through a car, we could present a value different from "driving performance"...

Furthermore, if we are to talk about "love," it must be comfortable, which means the interior quality must be high. Also, in terms of driving, comfort would be prioritized over sharp handling.

OTANII actually test drove it, and as you say, it has sufficient performance, but the handling isn't particularly quick. Instead, the comfortable, stable ride quality is more prominent.

JoThat's right.

SUZUKIIn terms of the interior, what specific aspects have been specially tailored?





JoFor example, the seats offer good support, but they also feature purple stitching, attention has been paid to ambient lighting, and the dashboard uses a material called Tep Leather, which has a texture similar to leather.

OTANIAs a result, what impression do you have of the car that has been created?

JoIn terms of car size and engine displacement, it's in the same class as Japan's "Vitz" or "Demio." However, even within this class, it's a car that looks luxurious and stylish when a woman drives it. It might sound strange, but if you were to ask someone out on a date in this car, the success rate might be higher...





OTANIBut this car clearly possesses sexual elements.

JoYes, I believe it is sexual.

SUZUKIThat's truly innovative, isn't it? From its inception, the automobile, like taming a wild horse, has been dominated by masculine values. Cars for women were created as a counterpoint. But now, is the era allowing for the emergence of cars that disregard these distinctions?

French Standards, Different from German Cars

OTANIAs you mentioned earlier, Mr. Jo, what I find interesting about French cars, not just the 208, is that they exist independently of the notion that small cars are of lower quality or less significant. This is fundamentally different from German cars, isn't it?

SUZUKII studied abroad in France, and from that experience, I learned that while France is a class-based society, the consciousness of class in daily life is weak, and it is a very idealistic country.




OTANIWhen I observe the lifestyle of French people, even if their meals aren't extravagant, they have delicious food, good wine, and time to spend with their cherished family, and that seems to be enough. They don't seem to desire excessive luxury. Perhaps because of this, I don't sense a strong ambition for "becoming richer" or "becoming more successful."





This emphasis on the act of labor is what drives the motivation of Germans. Conversely, in Catholic countries, especially Italy, there seems to be a strong desire to "retire early and live a life focused on God."

SUZUKIFrom a manufacturing perspective, I believe Italians and French people excel in areas of color and form that are very human and perhaps even illogical.

This is reflected in car design; for instance, the design of this 208 is something that people from other countries might not easily conceive. Moreover, even though it's not particularly luxurious, it looks stylish. German people, on the other hand, seem to build things through a more diligent, cumulative process.

For example, with a car's interior, you might feel a drive for constant progress and evolution, such as thinking, "The gap between buttons was 0.3mm in the previous model, so let's make it 0.2mm this time."

French Values We Can Propose to Japan

OTANIAdditionally, products from France and Italy often skillfully utilize original ideas to create new designs, but they are not merely eccentric; they possess a beauty that appeals to the heart.

JoI agree. This applies not only to cars but also to daily necessities and homes.

OTANIAnd even inexpensive items have good design.

SUZUKIExactly. Even tableware sold for 100 yen at a supermarket has a great design.

OTANIFrench people seem to have a knack for easily adding color to their lives, a kind of wisdom.

JoThat's precisely it. Now that the guarantee of tomorrow being economically richer than today is gone, it seems that the ground is fertile for proposing such a way of life to Japanese people as well.

OTANIIt's not about buying large or expensive cars to be considered great. It's about re-evaluating the quality and balance of one's entire life.

JoIndeed, Japanese basic cars like the "Vitz" or "Fit" can be bought for around 1 to 1.2 million yen. The 208 XY is a bit more expensive, over 2 million yen, but the value of enjoying it with your family is greater than the price. I believe this kind of value system is becoming more accepted in Japan.





SUZUKIThe other day, I test drove a German compact car, and even though it was a compact, driving a German car made me feel like I had become more important. However, when driving a French car, I feel like myself, without any such impression. French cars, which don't make the driver feel superior or stronger in any way, are truly mysterious.

OTANIIn that sense, there is a clear hierarchy or class structure in German cars.

JoHowever, with Peugeot, even if a 508 is parked next to a 208, it doesn't bother you at all. In other words, it doesn't make you conscious of a hierarchy. This is a core philosophy of the brand.




JoThis is, after all, due to the difference in the cultural soil between Germany and France, isn't it?

OTANIYes. It's not about good or bad, but the difference between the two countries.

Peugeot 208 XY
Body Size | Overall Length 3,960 x Overall Width 1,740 x Overall Height 1,470 mm
Wheelbase | 2,540 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,480 / 1,490 mm
Weight | 1,200 kg
Engine | 1,598cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Turbo
Maximum Output | 115kW (156ps) / 6,000 rpm
Maximum Torque | 240Nm / 1,400-3,500 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed Manual
Drivetrain | FF
Tires | 205/45R17
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 15.2 km/ℓ
Price | 2,690,000 yen