What? how many “clones” for Peugeot 208 in Stellantis? A lot!

Balancing and combining, two key words in the current automotive industry that must face the most stringent standards and electrification targets that require significant investment. So all the major global groups have platforms, engines and gearboxes shared between many models and on-board technologies that are unique to the whole group. Stellantis is not an exception to the rule even if this policy already existed during the PSA and PF systems. But Carlos Tavares, since the merger with FCA and the creation of Stellantis – a giant of 14 products scattered around the world in very different markets – has accelerated the movement in Europe. To the point of drastically reducing the identity of strong brands like Alfa Romeo and Jeep?

On paper, it’s not necessary even if recent versions give us a slightly erroneous reading: the current CMP and EMP2 replace PF1, PF2 and PF3. So there is one small platform for a number of great examples, but the strategy ultimately continues with what has been done since the end of the 90’s IT tools are more advanced and industrial tools are more refined than before. revenue collection continues more easily. And this leads us to count today the number of cousins ​​of the Peugeot 208. At the time of the Peugeot 206, the “clones” were few in number apart from the Citroën C2/C3/C3 Picasso and the first Peugeot 2008. Now, with the arrival of Opel, Jeep and even Alfa Romeo, the family of city cars (sedans or small SUVs) is growing.

Peugeot 208 and its family

The first model to feature the CMP platform was not the current 208. In 2018, at the Paris Motor Show, PSA unveiled its new platform which is a major evolution of the old PF1 with a small specialty: “high energy” capability. This is the first time for the French manufacturer who is preparing to launch this new platform for… the new DS3 Crossback! The second generation Peugeot 208 will soon follow. Hybrid, fuel or electric, CMP was designed from the beginning to carry all forms of energy on the assembly lines.

Today, CMP modifications (three wheel lengths, several track widths, etc.) make it possible to have cars in the same segment but of different sizes. Renault is doing the same with CMF from the 4 meter Clio to the 4.56 meter Arkana. But the difference with Stellantis is significant: Groupe Renault’s common platforms are used by a limited number of brands. Stellantis, in turn, changes CMP in every way, even if it means to standardize all these products from very slightly different manufacturers. While it is clear to wait for the arrival of the first models on the STLA Small landing platform, which will host the next 208. Because, it must be explained, Stellantis already communicates on its Small STLA architecture but it is, for now, only. of the new nomenclature.

Cousin of the Peugeot 208 in 2024:

Volkswagen before others!

Although it is funny to count the technical repetitions in the Franco-Italian-American giant, it is not the first to work in this way. In the Rhine, Volkswagen has also been known for this collection for decades. In comparison, the MQB A0 platform has 7 interpretations (A1, Ibiza, Arona, Kamiq, Scala and Polo), compared to twice in Stellantis in the B segment. Is it too much? Customers obviously will not ask the question, or will not consider the technical similarity as an obstacle to the purchase, because the designers strive to hide the similarity of the silhouettes caused by the platforms and the sharing of certain pieces. Not without some success, as evidenced by the Lancia Ypsilon, in a profile similar to the Peugeot 208 but completely different from the front and back. Or the recent Milano, which hides its 208/DS 3 genes without forgetting the brand-specific interior. And then, each subsidiary (Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Opel, DS…) also has its own design for road services, whether we are talking about steering or suspension.

Too few engines?

However, synchronization has its limits. Stellantis has only three cylinders (aspirated or turbo) and one electric combination with a 156 hp engine to offer for all these models (apart from the new 240 hp Milano Veloce). This is perhaps a little narrow compared to the Volkswagen group, taking only one, which has three or four cylinders of different power levels that can prepare large and legal cars. Like the 1.2 PureTech hybrid the 136 will be a bit tight on the 3008 from the top end.. But Stellantis no longer has a four-cylinder petrol or plug-in hybrid engine for these family models. And since the diesel has been removed …