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The French automaker did something rare in the industry: it publicly admitted that it was slow to react to the defect that plagued owners for years. The villainous part, a belt that ran inside the oil, is replaced by a metal chain. But the change applies only to new cars, and those who already have the old engine remain watchful.
Peugeot publicly acknowledged the errors of its PureTech engine, which caused serious failures in hundreds of thousands of cars, and introduced the new Turbo 100 as a definitive solution to the problem. According to the French automaker, part of the Stellantis group, the new engine is a 1.2 turbo tested for more than 3 million kilometers, replacing the faulty timing belt with a chain, promised to be much more durable, in an attempt to regain consumer trust.
The Turbo 100 began arriving in the Peugeot 208 from March 2026 and in the Peugeot 2008 from May 2026, according to the company. It is important to clarify that some of the claims, such as the “definitive solution” and the test results, come from the manufacturer itself, and time will tell if the new engine will fulfill the promise. Still, the central technical change, the replacement of the belt with a chain, is concrete and directly addresses the origin of the problem that tarnished the PureTech’s reputation, as we will see below.
What went wrong with the PureTech engine
The PureTech engine, with three cylinders and displacements of 1.0 and 1.2, equipped millions of Peugeot cars and other brands of the group, but became one of the most talked-about cases of mechanical failure in the European automotive industry in the last decade, especially because of the so-called wet belt, which was immersed in the engine oil.
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The problem, present mainly in two generations manufactured between 2012 and 2017 and between 2018 and 2023, occurred because the fuel infiltrated the oil and degraded the belt material.
Over time, it swelled, cracked, and released pieces that clogged the oil pump’s suction tube, compromising the lubrication of the entire engine and potentially leading to serious failures.
The situation was worsened by frequent cold starts and short trips, leading to recalls, warranty extensions, and even class actions against Stellantis in European markets.
Public Acknowledgment of Errors
In light of the repercussions, the brand adopted an unusual stance in the industry.
Instead of downplaying the issue, Peugeot executives publicly acknowledged the flaws, admitting that the company did not react with the necessary speed and did not communicate the issue with full transparency, a rare admission among major automakers when faced with quality problems.
According to Ana Gema Ortega, director of Peugeot for Spain and Portugal, the company changed processes, materials, and suppliers, although it acknowledged communication failures with customers until then.
The presentation of the new engine was led by figures like Vincent Jacquier, head of Turbo 100 development, and Fabien Gouzonnat, director of engine development for Europe, who positioned the launch as a turning point for the brand.
The New Turbo 100 Engine Inside
The Turbo 100 is a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine that, according to Peugeot, incorporates about 70% new components, with the most important change being the replacement of the timing belt with a chain, promised to be more durable and quieter, directly addressing the root of the previous problem.
In addition to the chain, the engine features a direct injection system with Miller cycle, operating at high pressure, and a variable geometry turbocharger, used for the first time by Peugeot in a mass-produced gasoline engine.
There are also reinforcements such as a more robust oil pan, new piston rings to reduce oil consumption, and a reinforced aluminum cylinder head.
The set is available with a manual transmission in 100 and 110 horsepower versions, or with an electrified automatic transmission of 110 and 145 horsepower, and complies with Euro 6e-bis emission standards.
More Spaced Maintenance and Extended Warranty
Changes also appear in the relationship with the customer and in the wallet.
The models equipped with the Turbo 100 now have a warranty of up to 8 years or 160,000 kilometers, well above the previous 2 years, in addition to more spaced maintenance intervals, with a review every 2 years or 25,000 kilometers, instead of the previous annual review schedule.
According to Peugeot, the engine underwent tests totaling 30,000 hours on the bench and more than 3 million kilometers in real driving conditions, numbers the company uses to support the promise of reliability.
However, it is worth remembering that this information comes from the manufacturer itself, and it will be the day-to-day use, over the years, that will definitively tell if the Turbo 100 really overcame the problems of the past.
And what about those who already have a car with a PureTech engine?
This is the point that most interests those who have already been affected by the problem.
It is essential to clarify that the new Turbo 100 engine equips only new cars and cannot be installed in old vehicles with PureTech, meaning the chain does not fix the models already sold with the problematic belt, which frustrates some owners who expected a solution for their cars.
For this audience, Peugeot claims to offer support measures, such as a tool for managing retroactive repairs for engines manufactured between 2022 and 2024 that presented failures and were repaired, in addition to an extended warranty with retroactive coverage that, according to the brand, would reach up to 10 years or 180,000 kilometers for the potentially affected production.
Those who have a car in these conditions should contact the brand’s official network to check the coverage available for their specific case.
Why this matters to Brazilian consumers
The topic is also relevant to the national market.
Peugeot and the Stellantis group have a strong presence in Brazil, and the PureTech engine was used in models sold in the country, making the case relevant for Brazilian consumers who own or are thinking of buying vehicles from the brand, whether new or used.
Therefore, following the evolution of these engines helps consumers make more informed decisions, especially in the semi-new market, where cars with the old PureTech still circulate.
The general recommendation, valid for any purchase, is to research the vehicle’s maintenance history, check warranty conditions, and seek trusted technical guidance before closing a deal, avoiding surprises in the future.
The acknowledgment of the PureTech engine errors and the launch of the Turbo 100 mark an attempt by Peugeot to turn the page on one of the most delicate episodes in its recent history.
The replacement of the problematic belt with a chain and the extension of the warranty are concrete signs of change, although the definitive confirmation of reliability will only come with time and real consumer use.
For those who already have a car with the old engine, be aware to seek available coverages; for those thinking of buying, the usual lesson: information and caution are worth more than any promise.
And you, have you ever had or know someone who had problems with Peugeot’s PureTech engine? What do you think of the brand’s stance in recognizing the mistakes and launching a new engine? Leave your comment, respecting different opinions, share your experience and share the article with those who have a car from the brand or are thinking of buying one.
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