Peugeot Launches New Gasoline Engine Amid Reliability Concerns

Despite the global surge toward electrification, Peugeot has opted to launch an all-new 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine—the "Turbo 100"—in 2026, replacing the widely criticized PureTech series. The new engine replaces the failure-prone wet timing belt with a durable timing chain and upgrades approximately 70% of its components, including the cylinder block, turbocharger, and fuel injection system. It incorporates Miller cycle technology and a variable-geometry turbocharger to enhance thermal efficiency and low-end responsiveness. The engine delivers a maximum output of 100 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque, having already undergone over 30,000 hours of bench testing and accumulated more than 3 million kilometers in real-world vehicle testing. The updated 208 model is the first to feature this engine, with the 2008 set to follow in May. In light of the European Union’s recent softening stance on its 2035 ban on internal combustion engine vehicles—as well as persistent challenges such as inadequate charging infrastructure and high electric vehicle prices—Stellantis Group is slowing its full-electrification pace and continuing to offer reliable internal combustion engine options to the market.