The share of market Down Under for manual shifters is miniscule and shrinking all the time, so much so that the lack of an automatic gearbox is a serious impediment to sales success.

It doesn’t matter how big or small the car, either. Even our smallest machines need to have – as an option at least – a decent self-shifter on the menu.

The Peugeot 208 certainly had the option of an automatic – but it was an outdated four-speed that was backed by a relatively thirsty 1.6-litre engine, and it wasn’t especially cheap at more than $21,000.

Now, though, the 208 has undergone a mid-life refresh, along with a realignment to bring its grade structure in line with its bigger sibling, the 308.

A base-model Access has been added, shifting the entry point for Peugeot to a record low of $15,900 (plus ORCs), while a new engine combo – a 1.2-litre/six-speed automatic set-up – can also be had for less than $20,000 for the first time.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with the 208’s chassis, and it’s a pretty sharp-looking proposition. Will the new powertrain give it the critical mass Peugeot so desperately needs?

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