Chassis, Styling, Interior Design
Lack of Reversing Camera, Storage
The wait is finally over for Peugeot 308 fans with the all-new Peugeot 308 being launched in Australia from October
CarShowroom.com.au has just been to the home of Peugeot to put the award winning 308 through it paces in France and the small French hatchback and touring wagon didn’t disappoint. In fact it is with out doubt the best new Peugeot we have driven in recent years.
Peugeot 308 Overview
The Peugeot 308 signals a new direction for the French company in Australia., with the latest offering moving towards a more premium look and feel. The 308 arrives with competitive pricing, great styling and a host of awards including the prestigious ‘European Car Of The Year’ award.
The Peugeot 308 introduces a host of new technology depending on which trim level you choose but highlights include: electronic parking brake, hands free entry and start, reversing camera ,blind angle spot monitoring, park assist, dynamic cruise control and emergency collision braking.
Due to engine and transmission combination availability, Peugeot have decided on a two wave launch approach rather than keeping Australian buyers waiting. When the two waves are complete by March 2015 there will be 11 variants, five trim-levels, three different engines that deliver five different power outputs.
Australian Pricing and Model Line-up
On Sale Now:
• 308 Access Hatch - 1.2 petrol manual - $21,990
• 308 Access Hatch - 1.2 petrol auto - $23,990
• 308 Active Hatch - 1.2 petrol auto - $27,340
• 308 Allure Hatch - 1.2 petrol auto - $30,490
• 308 Allure Hatch - 2.0 diesel auto - $34,790
• 308 Allure Touring - 2.0 diesel auto - $37,490
*Vehicles due end Q1 2015:
• 308 Allure Hatch 1.6 petrol auto - TBC
• 308 Allure Touring 1.6 petrol auto - TBC
• 308 Allure Premium Hatch 1.6 petrol auto - TBC
• 308 GT Hatch 1.6 petrol manual - TBC
• 308 GT Hatch 2.0 diesel auto – TBC
Pricing for the 1.6-litre petrol is excepted to attract around a $2,000 premium over the three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine. As for the GT version CarShowroom.com.au would expect the price to be competitive against the likes VW Golf GTi coming in under $40,000.
click here to read the standard features for each Peugeot 308 model.
Peugeot 308 Engine
CarShowroom.com.au had the opportunity to sample the ripping new three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech engine and the 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine. Those wanting the combination of a 1.6-litre petrol engine and 6-speed automatic transmission will need to wait until March 2015. In fact the 1.6 litre/Auto transmission combination is so important for the Australian market we are the first country in the world to receive it.
All engines will come with Start&Stop technology to help reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 96kW/230Nm
2.0-litre Blue HDi four cylinder diesel engine 110kW/370NM
Phase 2
1.6-litre e-THP four cylinder petrol engine with 110kW/240Nm
1.6-litre e-THP four-cylinder petrol that produced 151kW/285Nm
2.0-litre Blue HDi – four cylinder diesel 133kW/400NM
Peugeot 308 Interior
Jumping inside the Peugeot 308 you are meet with a minimalist and sleek interior. Peugeot have used the same steering wheel and dash layout as the Peugeot 208 GTi, where drivers look over the small steering wheel at the instrument cluster. A first some will find this a little unnerving but after sometime behind the wheel it will feel totally normal.
The instrument cluster is clean and easy to ready with a center screen mounted between the two teardrop shaped speedo and rev tachometer, the latter that rotates in the opposite direction.
The i-cockpit design employed by Peugeot also houses a 9.7 touch screen which controls the air conditioning, driving aids, multimedia, navigation, Telephone and vehicle setting is standard on all models expect Access, which instead receives the more traditional push button stereo.
Having covered around 1300kms across France and Switzerland in three days the Peugeot 308 proved to be a perfect touring vehicle. The front seats provided perfect support and delivered us to our hotel at the end of each day feeling fresh. The rear seats could do with being a little more sculptured as the flat back failed to keep you supported when the car was being driven aggressively.
The Peugeot 308 hatch boot space is 435 liters and a 1,274 with rear seats folded flat, the touring has a luggage capacity of 625 liters increasing to a 1,740 with 60/40 rear seats folded.
Peugeot 308 Exterior & Styling
The Peugeot 308 will be sold in Australia in to two body styles - hatch and touring (station wagon). Pride of place on the new 308 is the new family grille that will be gradually rolled out across all models. Either side of the grille sits full LED headlights (higher grades only) in the lower area of the front bumper sits larger air intakes and fog lamps and directional lights.
At the rear Peugeot have used the inspiration of a lion claw by using a row of LED’s for the rear tail lamps.
The new Peugeot 308 sits lower, with shorter wheel overhangs thanks reduction in size of technical components from the EMAP2 platform which intern has allowed the designers a little more freedom in creating a great looking car.
Peugeot 308 On the Road
The EMAP2 platform has resulted in the Peugeot 308 shedding 140 kilograms and the on road dynamics have been greatly improved because of it. The new suspension is a Psuedo-MacPherson front and deformable crossmember rear. For the wagon Peugeot have increased the stiffness to bear more weight.
As a result of the improved suspension and weight loss the Peugeot 308 chassis is outstanding. Even on the most undulating of roads the Peugeot 308 remained steady and composed - after three days of driving the Peugeot from Lyon to Sochaux via St Tropez, Annecy, Geneva and Lausanne you can understand why the 308 took out European Car of The Year.
Don’t be fooled by the entry level 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech engine either, it packs a mighty punch and when matched to the six-speed manual it is great fun to drive. CarShowroom.com.au also had the opportunity to drive the PureTech matched to the six-speed auto which also performed well.
Peugeot 308 Issues
Reversing camera needs to standard across the range as does sat-nav. The price leading Access manual model has a very simple interior and which may not appeal to many buyers.
A more sculptured rear seat would be handy to keep rear passengers from sliding about and the lack of decent cup holders is a silly oversight.
Peugeot 308 Competition
Mazda 3 starts from $20,490 and tops out at $36,190 for the SP25 Astina
Volkswagen Golf the former Euopean Car of the year starts at $21,490 for the 90kW 90TSI, before reaching $41,990 for the GTi
Renault Megane also comes in hatch and wagon and starts from $20,990 for the 1.2-litre Expression, the top of the range RS265 Trophy+ hot hatch is $51,640.
Peugeot 308 Verdict
The latest offering by Peugeot is outstanding in many ways from its modern sleek styling, to its well-balanced ride and handling, Peugeot have built a winner.
The fact it claimed the European Car of The Year title from the Volkswagen Golf is testament to its ability to compete against the very best in the small class segment. Normally statements like that are reserved for German built cars but with the Peugeot 308 you get a car that can compete on performance and dynamics and win on style and flare.
Forget what you thought you knew about the three cylinder engines, Peugeot and small cars, as the all-new Peugeot 308 from the Active model range up is outstanding.
