There’s a sleek new design for the new Peugeot 308 - and for the first time ever you can also enjoy one as a plug-in hybrid.
The 308 is a bit of an unsung hero in the motoring world, a comfy, affordable and underrated rival to the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. And with this update, the 308 has never been more attractive.
The first thing to talk about is the sharp new exterior suit. It’s more purposeful, more dynamic than the previous version, with bodywork that hugs the structure of the car, while the imposing new grille brings a bit of aggression.
The 308 also enjoys a wheelbase that’s 55mm longer than the last car, which translates to more room for rear seat passengers, even though 20mm has been lopped off the height in order to make it appear more poised.
All variants of the new 308 feature LED headlights as standard as well as vertical LED daytime running lights. Meanwhile bumpers, deflectors, the diffuser, body pillars and door mirrors have been designed with aerodynamics in mind, making for a quieter and more economical ride.
There’s a great choice of engines which appear to cater to all tastes. If you want traditional, you’ve got a 1.2-litre 130 PS petrol, or a 1.5-litre 130 PS diesel.
But it’s the two new plug-in hybrid powertrains that catch the eye. The most powerful of the two is called the ‘HYBRID 225 e-EAT8’, which has power of 180hp, emits as little as 26 g/km of CO2 and has an electric-only range of up to 36 miles.
The other option is the ‘HYBRID 180 e-EAT8’, which boasts less power at 150hp but has a slightly improved electric range of 37 miles.
Both versions are powered by a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery, while there are two types of on-board chargers available - a standard 3.7kW charger and an optional 7.4kW fast charger. Use the fast charger, and you’ll replenish the battery in under two hours.
Another key selling point for the 308 - besides the trademark plush interior - is the number of driver assistance and safety systems available.
Depending on which trim level you opt for, you can enjoy semi-automatic lane change, anticipated speed recommendation to make sure you don’t break any limits, and even ‘Curve speed adaptation’, which optimises the car’s speed according to the severity of the bend.
Peugeot’s well received i-Cockpit brings you a 10 inch touchscreen as well as full phone connectivity. And not only is there an uprated sound system with better speakers than the old version, Peugeot has also increased window thickness at the front and rear and added acoustic laminated side panes in the front doors to make sure outside noise doesn’t intrude into the cabin.
Julie David, Managing Director of Peugeot UK, said: “The compact family car class remains one of the most important and competitive segments - and one in which PEUGEOT has a proud record of success.
“It is therefore very exciting to be launching the new 308, which is one of the most efficient, practical and technologically advanced offerings in the market. With the addition of plug-in hybrid powertrains for the first time, the new 308 represents another significant step in our commitment to have an electrified variant of every new PEUGEOT model by 2025.”
The new Peugeot 308 is due to become available to order later this year - so watch this space.
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