The combination of PSA and FCA quickly began to bear fruit in the light commercial vehicle segment, although basically it all comes down to banal badge engineering. But the passenger models of the two halves of the Stellantis concern have nothing in common yet. It is clear that the development of next-generation machines is already underway, which will have a unified platform. However, corporate unification will also affect existing models. According to the French edition L’argus, soon Fiat engines will appear on Peugeot cars. True, not in Europe, but in South America.
The first model to receive a transplanted heart will be the Peugeot 208, made in Argentina. Outside and in the cabin, these hatchbacks do not differ from European ones, but overseas most of the “two hundred and eighths” are equipped with atmospheric engines 1.6 (115 hp) of the old EC5 family, which are produced here. The range also includes imported 1.2 PureTech supercharged (130 hp) and non-supercharged (82 hp) engines. And following the planned restyling, which is expected in 2023, the Peugeot 208 will be equipped with Fiat engines of the series Firefly (or GSE, i.e. Global Small Engine) made in Brazil.
This family appeared in 2016, and now such engines are installed on most Fiat models for South America, as well as on younger Jeep crossovers. According to preliminary information, Peugeot 208 hatchbacks will get three-cylinder 1.0 engines (77 hp in a naturally aspirated version and 130 hp with supercharging) and four-cylinder aspirated 1.3 (109 hp), which are already known from models Fiat Argo, Chronos i Pulse. In addition, the CVT will be borrowed from Fiats, which will replace the classic “automatic”. As for the European Peugeot 208, it will remain with its units in the current generation.
