A major novelty on the compact market in France, the new Peugeot 308 arrives with a fresh identity and many assets up its sleeve. The competition had better watch out, because the third generation of the compact seems to have the means to face the all-powerful German references, Volkswagen Golf in the lead.
Building on its success with the current generation of the 308, Peugeot has decided to continue on the path of access-premium with this new version, which is rather pleasant to look at at first glance. Remember that the 308 was voted car of the year in 2014 and has been rewarded many times, totaling 7 million units sold worldwide since the first generation in 2007.
Thanks to numerous stylistic and technical subtleties, the new 308 completely changes its face, especially since it sports in the center of its “soft-nose” front face the brand new emblem of the manufacturer, showing a lion’s head on the background. black. With this new compact based on an evolution of the EMP2 platform, Peugeot is also introducing two plug-in hybrid versions from its launch, before the imminent arrival of a 100% electric variant. The engine offer is also made up of thermal units, gasoline or diesel. The technological endowment is obviously making a leap forward, with latest generation technologies facilitating semi-autonomous driving as well as an increasingly dense ecosystem of connected services.
It’s green, but it’s beautiful!
The new 308 displays an assertive style, resolutely Peugeot, with an LED light signature from the first trim levels and the adoption of the famous “fangs” which extend the front lights downwards, on each side of the bumper. Its unique presentation color Olivine Green (seven shades available) suits it perfectly and brings out its complex curves and protruding edges, for a muscular appearance to perfection. Looking at the stern, we see the appearance of new lights, refined and more modern, with three red LED elements no longer vertical but placed diagonally, a black strip connecting them through the tailgate. The aerodynamics of the car have been worked on in the wind tunnel, in order to obtain a Cx of 0.28 (identical to that of the previous generation of 308).
The compact sees its wheelbase increase by 55 mm (2.675 m), while its total length is 4.36 m, or 11 cm more than the previous generation. Sculpted wheel arches accommodate rims 16 to 18 inches in diameter. The windshield, meanwhile, tilts and recedes, resulting in a roof 20mm lower, reducing the overall height of the vehicle to 1.44m. The trunk volume reaches 412 liters (8 liters less than before), to which are added up to 34 liters of additional storage in the passenger compartment. With the rear seats folded down, the volume of the rear compartment reaches 1,323 liters.
Power of choice
In its desire to leave an optimal choice to its customers concerning the engine (Power of choice), Peugeot will eventually offer a 100% electric variant in addition to the hybrid and thermal versions. Indeed, from its launch, the new 308 can be equipped with two plug-in hybrid engines , including the Hybrid 225 e-EAT8 (single-drive) variant already known on the 3008 Hybrid in particular. Offering a total power of 225 hp, this version combines a 180 hp PureTech (gasoline) thermal engine and an 81 kW electric motor attached directly to the e-EAT8 gearbox. The Peugeot 308 Hybrid 225 thus has up to 59 km of 100% electric autonomy (WLTP cycle). The second hybrid variantRechargeable combines a 150 hp PureTech unit with the same electric unit as mentioned above, for a total power of 180 hp and a range of up to 60 km in 100% electric (WLTP cycle). The 12.4 kWh Li-ion battery can, in the best case, be fully recharged in 1:55 via the optional 7.4 kW single-phase charger (7:05 on standard electrical outlet).
A range of thermal engines, compatible with the latest European standards in terms of pollution (Euro 6 full), will also be offered in the catalog for the new Peugeot 308. In gasoline , two versions of the 1.2 3-cylinder engine will thus be available, namely the PureTech 110 hp and 130 hp, the first being able to be combined with a 6-speed manual transmission only and the second with a BVM6 or an automatic EAT8 (8-speed). The 130 hp 1.5 BlueHdi four-cylinder unit is also making a comeback under the hood of the French, coupled with an EAT8 transmission or a BVM6 of your choice.
2021 Peugeot 308 Interior
Already particularly avant-garde, the interior of the previous 308 seems to have strongly inspired that of the new version of the compact. We thus find a compact multifunction steering wheel slightly redesigned, with new integrated control buttons. The digital instrumentation screen of the new Peugeot i-Cockpit measures 10 inches from the Active pack level, it is displayed in three dimensions on the GT level. It comes with a central infotainment screen, also 10 inches, lined with a touch strip combining all the essential shortcuts (“virtual i-toggles”) just below, thus freeing up more space on the floor. main screen. The redesigned central console incorporates a new electronic gearbox control allowing the modes (R, N, D) to be selected by impulse.
Connectivity on board the new 308 is provided via the wireless mirroring function allowing two phones to be connected simultaneously via Bluetooth. The Peugeot i-Connect Advanced allows its side to benefit from TomTom connected navigationwith automatic remote update. Voice recognition is also part of the “OK Peugeot” command, which activates the functions of the infotainment system with natural language recognition. Finally, the latest generation driving aids take semi-autonomous driving to a new level, in particular with the Drive Assist 2.0 pack combining adaptive cruise control, lane keeping as well as three new functions: shifting. of semi-automatic track, the anticipated speed recommendation (reading of the signs) and the adaptation of the speed in curves up to 180 km / h.
Produced in France at the Mulhouse plant, the new Peugeot 308 will be marketed in France in the second half of 2021.
