Latest news with #Peugeot
Motor 1
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Here's Why This Peugeot 208 Has Four Skinny Wheels
Seeing a skinny tire on a car isn't that unusual. In most cases, it's mounted on a space-saving spare wheel while the other three have full-size tires. But things get really weird when all four wheels look like that. A Peugeot 208 was recently spotted in a parking lot in Marseille, sitting on what appeared to be four spare wheels. However, the supermini was actually equipped with something called a 'universal wheel,' sold by French company Enovcar. As odd as it looks, there's a perfectly good reason this product exists. It's designed for repair shops to move otherwise immobilized cars. If the brakes are stuck or the transmission fails, how do you move the car? Another use case is when the owner wants to refurbish the original wheels. It's also handy for electric vehicles with completely dead batteries. Although Peugeot sells the 208 as an EV, this particular subcompact hatchback has Stellantis' ubiquitous three-cylinder gas engine. Photo by: parkedinmarseille The 'universal wheel' attaches via an interchangeable hub secured with 10 bolts. It works on vehicles with either four lug nuts, like this Peugeot, or with five. Enovcar warns that cars shouldn't be moved at speeds above 5 mph (8 km/h). There's also a spinner mode so that the wheel spins freely in any direction. It involves adding a rotating ring to facilitate turning, parking, or rotating the car in place. However, it only works at speeds under 2 mph (3 km/h). Switching between roller and spinner modes takes about 30 seconds. Another limitation is the weight: the maximum load per wheel is 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms), and the wheel itself weighs 22 pounds (10 kilograms). Enovcar isn't the only company selling this type of product. Our colleagues at The Autopian recently covered the Guni Wheel X, marketed as a 'universal automotive repositioning' solution. It's also designed to transport vehicles with damaged wheels, brakes, or transmissions. The company selling them claims they're also a good solution for long-term storage, preserving the original wheels when the car won't be driven for an extended period. Peugeot 208 with universal wheels 8 Source: parkedinmarseille Source: parkedinmarseille / Instagram Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
The new Vauxhall electric Mokka GSE has some serious rally vibes… and it's closely related to speedy GTI
LAST month at Le Mans, Peugeot wheeled out an electric 208 GTI in front of tens of thousands of race fans. This week in a studio in Leighton Buzzard, Vauxhall unveiled the electric Mokka GSE in front of six people – and five of them work for Vauxhall. The other person was me. 3 Vauxhall unveiled the new electric Mokka GSE and it's very closely related to the Peugeot electric 208 GTI Credit: Supplied 3 Vauxhall has given Mokka GSE some serious rally vibes with lots of yellow detailing, Alcantara seats, GSE badging and more Credit: Supplied Not quite as glamorous. Or as spendy. But at least the coffee was free. The reason I'm telling you this is because GTI and GSE are very closely related. Different tracksuits. But the same go-faster pants underneath. READ MORE IN MOTORS Both are front-wheel drive with a 280hp e-motor and a limited-slip differential. So they'll be nippy and grippy. The regular Mokka Electric is 156hp. Both have specially-tuned suspension with a rear anti-roll bar for sharper handling. Both have beefy brakes. They'll need them. I reckon Vauxhall will try to keep prices a few quid below £37k to qualify for the Government's new electric car grant. We'll see. Most read in Motors As for looks, Vauxhall has given Mokka GSE some serious rally vibes with lots of yellow detailing, Alcantara seats, GSE badging and more. The steering wheel is flattened top and bottom. Performance data flashes up on the central touchscreen. The pedals are aluminium. It rolls on 20in aero wheels. Vauxhall Mokka hybrid is a smarter, greener & better equipped version of old motor… but small detail really lets it down Expect Vauxhall boss Steve Catlin said: 'Mokka GSE is made to be exciting to drive and brings motorsport energy to the streets.' The streets of Leighton Buzzard and beyond. 3 The steering wheel is flattened top and bottom and it rolls on 20in aero wheels Credit: Supplied KEY FACTS: VAUXHALL MOKKA GSE Price: £37,000 Battery: 51kWh Power: 280hp 0-62mph: 5.9 secs Top speed: 124mph Range: 209 miles CO2: 0g/km Out: November
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
The new Vauxhall electric Mokka GSE has some serious rally vibes… and it's closely related to speedy GTI
Vauxhall might try to keep prices a few quid below £37k to qualify for the Government's new electric car grant SIT GSE EXAM The new Vauxhall electric Mokka GSE has some serious rally vibes… and it's closely related to speedy GTI LAST month at Le Mans, Peugeot wheeled out an electric 208 GTI in front of tens of thousands of race fans. This week in a studio in Leighton Buzzard, Vauxhall unveiled the electric Mokka GSE in front of six people – and five of them work for Vauxhall. The other person was me. 3 Vauxhall unveiled the new electric Mokka GSE and it's very closely related to the Peugeot electric 208 GTI Credit: Supplied 3 Vauxhall has given Mokka GSE some serious rally vibes with lots of yellow detailing, Alcantara seats, GSE badging and more Credit: Supplied Not quite as glamorous. Or as spendy. But at least the coffee was free. The reason I'm telling you this is because GTI and GSE are very closely related. Different tracksuits. But the same go-faster pants underneath. Both are front-wheel drive with a 280hp e-motor and a limited-slip differential. So they'll be nippy and grippy. The regular Mokka Electric is 156hp. Both have specially-tuned suspension with a rear anti-roll bar for sharper handling. Both have beefy brakes. They'll need them. I reckon Vauxhall will try to keep prices a few quid below £37k to qualify for the Government's new electric car grant. We'll see. As for looks, Vauxhall has given Mokka GSE some serious rally vibes with lots of yellow detailing, Alcantara seats, GSE badging and more. The steering wheel is flattened top and bottom. Performance data flashes up on the central touchscreen. The pedals are aluminium. It rolls on 20in aero wheels. Vauxhall Mokka hybrid is a smarter, greener & better equipped version of old motor… but small detail really lets it down Expect Corsa to get the GSE treatment, too. Only the EV, not Corsa petrol. GSE stands for Grand Sport Electric. Vauxhall boss Steve Catlin said: 'Mokka GSE is made to be exciting to drive and brings motorsport energy to the streets.' The streets of Leighton Buzzard and beyond. 3 The steering wheel is flattened top and bottom and it rolls on 20in aero wheels Credit: Supplied
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
The new Vauxhall electric Mokka GSE has some serious rally vibes… and it's closely related to speedy GTI
LAST month at Le Mans, Peugeot wheeled out an electric 208 GTI in front of tens of thousands of race fans. This week in a studio in Leighton Buzzard, Vauxhall unveiled the electric Mokka GSE in front of six people – and five of them work for Vauxhall. The other person was me. 3 3 Not quite as glamorous. Or as spendy. But at least the coffee was free. The reason I'm telling you this is because GTI and GSE are very closely related. Different tracksuits. But the same go-faster pants underneath. Both are front-wheel drive with a 280hp e-motor and a limited-slip differential. So they'll be nippy and grippy. The regular Mokka Electric is 156hp. Both have specially-tuned suspension with a rear anti-roll bar for sharper handling. Both have beefy brakes. They'll need them. I reckon Vauxhall will try to keep prices a few quid below £37k to qualify for the Government's new electric car grant. We'll see. As for looks, Vauxhall has given Mokka GSE some serious rally vibes with lots of yellow detailing, Alcantara seats, GSE badging and more. The steering wheel is flattened top and bottom. Performance data flashes up on the central touchscreen. The pedals are aluminium. It rolls on 20in aero wheels. Vauxhall Mokka hybrid is a smarter, greener & better equipped version of old motor… but small detail really lets it down Expect Corsa to get the GSE treatment, too. Only the EV, not Corsa petrol. GSE stands for Grand Sport Electric. Vauxhall boss Steve Catlin said: 'Mokka GSE is made to be exciting to drive and brings motorsport energy to the streets.' The streets of Leighton Buzzard and beyond. 3
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Times
Stalled by ‘goodwill' for car repairs: Are Irish drivers being left in the lurch?
Many of us will probably have been given the same story at some stage of our motoring lives. A car, as likely a recently bought one as an older model, will develop a problem. A major one. It will be brought back to the dealership, who will prescribe an expensive repair, one whose cost may be defrayed by 'goodwill'. That goodwill can take many forms. It may be a total covering of costs. It may be a partial cover. It may be none of the above – but you might get a courtesy car. READ MORE However, in some situations, the issue your car has experienced may stem from a known manufacturing defect – and in many other countries, similar faults are being addressed through formal recalls. The whole concept of 'goodwill' can be problematic, as it implies that the consumer – quite apart from asserting their legal rights – must have been compliant in a particular way: had the car serviced only with a main dealer and kept it in such a condition that no questions could be raised about its overall maintenance. Equally, placing repairs on a 'goodwill' basis allows dealer and carmaker considerable discretion – after all, 'goodwill' is not a recognised consumer right under Irish law. Can the legal net be tightened on these kinds of repairs? Possibly. There has been a recent case involving cam chains and the diesel engines made by the Stellantis Group, formerly the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group. A cam chain is a crucial engine component, and if it fails while the car is running, it can cause catastrophic engine damage. One Irish customer, driving a 2021 Peugeot 5008, experienced such a failure and had the car recovered to a Peugeot dealer for inspection. What followed was a protracted series of inspections and repair estimates that left the car idle at the dealership for several months. At the time of writing, it is still there, with repair work scheduled under 'goodwill'. However, this specific issue is known within the industry, and is reportedly linked to a manufacturer-recommended engine oil that may not adequately protect the cam chain – identified officially as part number 9812647280. While some might view Peugeot's coverage of repair costs as an act of goodwill, others argue the fault should be addressed more transparently. In France, the issue has received greater public attention, prompting Peugeot to initiate what it calls a 'preventive update campaign' – effectively a recall – to replace the existing 7mm cam chain with a more robust 8mm version. The campaign also includes upgraded sprockets and other components, and is carried out at no cost to the customer, without reference to service history or owner behaviour. The CCPC found some Irish dealers were telling customers – incorrectly – that their vehicle warranties would be voided if serviced or repaired outside the official dealer network or with non-original parts. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The issue affects at least 760,000 vehicles across Europe. Given its scale, consumer advocates argue it warrants treatment as a formal recall. Peugeot has confirmed it is extending warranty coverage for this component to seven years or 180,000km – but only for vehicles with a full service history. According to Gowan Auto, Peugeot's Irish importer: 'The issue with this particular car is that it has never been serviced since purchase. Therefore, the customer has agreed to pay the price to fit the new chain.' That service history requirement could be problematic. According to Gowan, to qualify for free repair, owners must provide 'a printed or digital copy of their service receipts which should state the date, dealer and itemise what work has been carried out, oil used, etc.' and this must reflect a 'full service history' – an unbroken record of scheduled maintenance. This condition may sit uneasily with a recent Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) report into potential anticompetitive practices in car servicing and repair. The CCPC found some Irish dealers were telling customers – incorrectly – that their vehicle warranties would be voided if serviced or repaired outside the official dealer network or with non-original parts. In some instances, independent garages reported being denied access to essential diagnostic tools or data needed to carry out repairs. [ Hyundai's big Ioniq 9 feels like an EV upgrade, but will buyers make the switch? Opens in new window ] The CCPC's stance is unambiguous: 'Such practices can break competition law.' While that conclusion does not directly apply to the Peugeot case above, it's a useful point for any consumer being told that 'goodwill' depends on main-dealer service records. Craig Whelan, director of antitrust at the CCPC, said: 'Motorists must be free to choose where they service their vehicles and what parts they use without fear of losing their warranty. 'Independent garages must not be blocked from accessing essential diagnostic data or tools. These restrictive practices hurt consumers, stifle competition and unfairly advantage authorised dealerships. We will continue to monitor this issue closely and will take appropriate enforcement action where we believe competition law has been breached.' The CCPC also notes certain mechanical issues may raise safety concerns. In the case of cam chain failure, the engine can seize without warning, potentially resulting in loss of power steering and braking assistance – a scenario with obvious safety implications. In relation to safety risks, the CCPC told The Irish Times: 'Consumers may have the option to resolve their issue under consumer protection law or product safety law. 'There are common consumer protection rules across Europe to protect consumers from faulty goods and services. These rules were updated in 2022 and became part of Irish law through the Consumer Rights Act 2022 (CRA) ... consumers in Ireland can seek a remedy for faulty goods for up to six years after purchasing.' That legal framework could open the door for consumers to claim redress even where manufacturers have not issued formal recalls. If the cam chain fault is acknowledged as a design issue, it may fall under CRA protections regardless of warranty status. That said, there is potential for jurisdictional confusion. While the CCPC previously handled motor recall issues, this responsibility now lies with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) , which is undergoing a significant reorganisation. The transition could delay or complicate recall responses for Irish consumers. Two main barriers discourage consumers from challenging manufacturers in such cases. First, the emotional and practical disruption caused by car failures often pushes people to accept whatever resolution is quickest, even if it involves out-of-pocket costs. Second, the low monetary value of most claims limits legal options – District Court rules constrain what solicitors can recover in fees, making it harder to take on complex, time-consuming automotive disputes. According to one Irish solicitor familiar with such cases, who asked not to be named due to ongoing client work, these challenges mean legitimate defects may go unresolved: 'We've seen instances where cars were sold with known issues, and consumers later found they needed to purchase extended warranties to cover problems that arguably should have been disclosed or repaired from the outset.' This solicitor also emphasised the human cost: 'I've seen people in tears over stuff like this. They couldn't get to work, school, or even bring children to hospital appointments because the car was off the road. And the responses often rely on technicalities. 'Did you use our recommended oil?' or 'did you get it serviced with us?' It can feel like trying to climb a wall blindfolded. People are under pressure, and that's one reason they don't litigate – the uncertainty, the delay and the cost.' Returning to the Peugeot case, Gowan Auto says the affected car is being addressed. It confirmed: 'The Stellantis customer care platform and website was launched in France and Spain in December 2024. However, it has not yet been rolled out to Ireland or other markets.' An announcement is expected in July, which would implement a new ten-year or 240,000km extended coverage policy across Europe – including Ireland. That would offer welcome consistency for Irish customers, aligning their rights with those of their European neighbours, regardless of whether they meet subjective 'goodwill' thresholds. In the meantime, if your car develops a serious fault, don't assume it's an isolated issue. If you can, take time to research it, and don't let vague references to 'goodwill' keep you from asserting your legal rights.
