If we were to wind the clock back to 2013, you’d likely have joined us in amazement as French carmaker Peugeot pulled the wraps off the 308 hatchback. With its sleek design, pert proportions, and surprising dynamics, the 308 was packed with everything it needed to take the segment by storm.
Fast forward five years, and the 308 hatch is facing a full model replacement very soon. The 308 is still a looker no doubt, and it remains a surprisingly fun car to drive, even with the base turbocharged petrol mills. But with a new generation on the way, the 308 is set to receive an electrifying reinvention, if reports are to be believed.
A French publication called Caradisiac seems to have the inside scoop on the future of the 308, which is interestingly the first Peugeot to carry the same nameplate on to a second generation. While the 308 led the design revolution for the brand back in 2013, it’s the bigger 508 that’s holding the torch now. As such, expect to see design cues like the sabre-toothed LED daytime running lights, forward-facing Griffith logo, lower roofline and wider track make its way onto the 308 in due course.
The 308 will also gain things like adaptive dampers, albeit limited to only the highest-spec models. Further, the 308 will learn from the 508 saloon in terms of construction innovations too, with the hatch set to use the same body joining technique combining welds and adhesives to keep weight low. Weight reduction is further emphasised with the extensive use of lighter materials throughout the frame.
Engines will remain familiar for the most part, with the usual array of petrol and diesel mills. And the eight-speed automatic that debuted with the 308 facelift will stay too, with little complaints arising since the unit was put in service. But the big powertrain news comes from the hot-and-hotter GT and GTI models, which are set to gain electric motors to improve performance.
The front-wheel drive 308 GT may offer as much as 164kW at full pelt, but the full-fat 308 GTI might put that electric motor to work on the rear axle (like the 308 R HYbrid concept) and put down a whopping 223kW. That’s enough to get a Civic Type R scared.
The new 308 will gain the usual upgrades aside from the obvious aesthetic and powertrain tweaks though. A new, more intuitive infotainment system will feature, and sit as the centrepiece in a cockpit that will undoubtedly challenge some premium marques in terms of tactility. The 308 may also gain some smarts too, in the way of Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities and other advanced driver assistance systems.
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