The Peugeot 208, heir to the Marque’s “2 series” range, has carried off the prestigious national title of Mejor Coche del Año 2013 in Spain and added its number to a list of award winners that already includes seven Peugeot models.

For the 41st year of the competition, organised by the major Spanish daily newspaper ABC, 54 models launched in Spain in 2012 were assessed by a jury consisting of 36 motoring journalists representing the major Spanish media.

With 137 points, the 208, launched on the Spanish market last spring, won by an impressive margin, ahead of the Seat Toledo (79) and Hyundai i30 (57).

Taking the place of the 508, the winner last year, the 208 is the 8th Peugeot to win the Spanish prize, joining winners that already include “2 series” models from the three previous generations: the 205, 206 and 207.

For Peugeot Spain managing director Antonio Gonzalez: “This award, recognition of the many qualities of the 208 by a jury of experts, confirms the opinion of the car’s first customers and the very good sales figures already recorded. It confirms our conviction that the 208 constitutes a strength that will allow us to tackle 2013 with renewed energy”.

The 208 concentrates Peugeot’s unique know-how in the “supermini” category.

Produced in France and in Slovakia, it was launched on all the European markets last spring and continued its international deployment during the second half of 2012 to be completed in early 2013 with sales in Russia and then the industrial and commercial launch in Brazil.

In November, the 208 had already reached the podium in the B segment in Europe and it is at the top of its category in Holland, Portugal and Denmark.