If you like revolutions and radical evolutions in the automotive industry, then the new Peugeot 308 will definitely interest you. Peugeot simply breaks everything that has characterized it until now, but has changed that “everything” for the better.
Fresh youthful image
The design of the body, headlights and even the silhouette of the car have changed radically compared to the previous generation of the car. Despite the fact that the car is still called 308, the manufacturer could easily call it 309. In the past, it has chosen just such a logical sequence for each new generation. This is paradoxical, especially considering that this is the most significant generational change in the history of the 300 model range.
The Peugeot 308 is elegant, balanced, and ideally represents the current design concept of the French manufacturer. A significant part of the face of the new 308 are the headlights made up of a total of 62 LEDs, 31 each, which give the car the image of a technological delicacy.
A new level of compactness
The new generation of Peugeot 308 vehicles weighs just over one ton. The basic petrol version weighs just 1,075 kg and the basic diesel version only 1,090 kg. The Peugeot 308 is therefore the lightest model in its class. Despite this, the luggage compartment volume has increased by 120 liters to an amazing 470 liters! Perhaps the only one that competes with the new Peugeot is the Honda Civic. The length of the vehicle has reached 4,253 mm, it is 1,804 mm wide and not even one and a half meters high. Thanks to the combination of advanced materials, lightweight engines and compact dimensions, the vehicle is able to maintain excellent driving characteristics.
Revolution under the hood
The Peugeot 308 is entering the market with five engines and for the first time in history it will also be available with an economical 3-cylinder engine. The basic naturally aspirated 3-cylinder petrol 1.2 VTi (60 KW) will be supplemented by two turbocharged 1.6 THP (92 and 115 kW), the diesel variants will be 1.6 HDi with a power of 68 and 85 kW. In spring 2014 the offer will be expanded by the petrol 1.2 e-THP (81 and 96 kW) and the diesel units 1.6 BlueHDi (88 kW) and 2.0 BlueHDi (110 kW) with AdBlue injection. The engines will be combined with a 6-speed automatic Aisin transmission.
i-Cockpit style interior
The new generation of 308 vehicles is a representative of the ergonomic i-Cockpit concept. Its task is to provide the driver with all the elements necessary to control the vehicle at hand. That is why the thick steering wheel has a diameter of only 35 cm, there is a head-up display, a 9.7-inch touch screen and a very clear graphic of the dials behind the steering wheel. The large touch surface serves not only to mediate multimedia, but also to control the air conditioning and additional vehicle functions.
Safety and assistance packages
The Peugeot 308 is also catching up with the competition in the area of assistance systems. The Driver Assistance Pack includes collision warning, automatic braking in a collision situation and radar cruise control, a reversing camera, blind spot monitoring in the mirrors, active parking assistant as well as keyless unlocking and starting and an electric parking brake with hill-holder function (braking the vehicle when starting uphill).
The new Peugeot 308 was a success
The Frenchman has finally shown that he is ready to produce not only beautiful, but also functional and capable cars. The Peugeot 308 could, without exaggeration, become a serious competitor for the Volkswagen Golf or Opel Astra, and I am personally convinced that after a test drive, most potential customers will decide for it.