All-New Peugeot 308 – First Drive Review on Irish Roads.
All-New Peugeot 308 – First Drive Review.
On the crest of its success in the compact hatchback segment, and with more than 7 million worldwide sales over the generations, Peugeot is proud to present the All-New Peugeot 308. The new Peugeot 308 is available in 3 grades – Active, Allure and GT, with pricing from €31,765
New Brand Identity.
The new 308 is the first in the Peugeot model line-up to bear the new Peugeot brand coat of arms in a grille entirely dedicated to it. A design and technological evolution, the radar for driving aids disappears behind the coat of arms, making it the centre piece on the grille.
The new 308 benefits from a 55mm extended wheelbase, which stretches the silhouette and offers more space for rear passengers, while the 20mm height reduction, combined with a soft-nose, visually lengthens the bonnet. The boot volume is now 412 litres, with the added convenience of 28 litres of compartmentalised storage space, and with the rear seats folded, the load volume increases to a generous 1,323 litres.
LED Lighting Technology.
The front headlamps use LED technology from the entry Active grade. Chiselled and slim, they contribute to the dynamics and identity of the new Peugeot 308. They are extended by hook-shaped daytime running lights on the front bumper. This light signature is reflective of the current Peugeot style, and is recognisable at first glance both by day and by night. On the GT grade, the Full LED headlamps are even thinner and have Peugeot Matrix LED Technology, for greater efficiency and safety in everyday use. At the rear, the lamps use Full LED technology displaying the 3 claws for a modern, brand-specific light signature. The new 308 comes in 7 shades: Olivine Green, Vertigo Blue, Elixir Red, Pearl White, Ice White, Artense Grey, and Perla Nera Black.
Amazing Intuitive Controls.
The PEUGEOT i-cockpit® is part of the brand’s DNA. With each generation, it has been enhanced and modernised. With this new Peugeot 308, it marks a clear change in terms of ergonomics, quality, design and technology. The new compact steering wheel includes sensors which can detect the driver’s grip on the steering wheel when using the new driving aids. Ergonomic, heated (optional), it includes all the helpful controls: radio, media and telephone. The instrument cluster, located at eye level, has a 10 inch digital panel as standard across all grades. In the GT trim, the cluster is 3 dimensional. Fully configurable and customisable, this digital cluster has several display modes (TomTom connected Navigation, DAB Radio/Media, Driving Aids, Energy Flow, etc.) that can be modified directly from the stalk. From the Allure grade, the new 308 includes fully configurable virtual i-toggles which enable customers to create their preferred shortcuts. Positioned opposite the central screen, like an open book, they provide a unique look and level of technology in the segment. Each i-toggle is a touch-sensitive shortcut key to the air conditioning settings, a telephone contact, a radio station, an application launch set up according to the driver’s choice. The new infotainment system gives all occupants the very best of the smartphone world and the best of the automotive world. Each driver (up to 8 profiles) can define and save his or her display, atmosphere and setting preferences. The mirroring function is now wireless and it is possible to connect two phones in Bluetooth at the same time. The “OK PEUGEOT” voice recognition command can be used in everyday life to improve safety and ease of use, and provides access to all infotainment functions.
Exceptional New Driving Aids.
The latest-generation driving aids complete the range of on-board technologies, at the highest level of the brand’s know-how. A further step towards semi-autonomous driving is the Drive Assist 2.0 pack (optional) which includes adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go function, and the Lane Keeping Aid. It also has 3 new functions available on lanes with separate carriageways: Semi-Automatic Lane Change, Anticipated Speed Recommendation, and Curve Speed Adaption.
Multi-Energy Platform.
The new Peugeot 308 is built from an evolution of the EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) multi-energy platform, which makes it possible to deploy fully electrified versions. Two plug in hybrid versions are available from launch – HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 / 2-wheel drive / with a combination of a 150 bhp PureTech 1.6L engine and an 81 kW electric motor attached to the e-EAT8 gearbox / offering from 24 g of C0₂ per km, and up to 60 km of 100% electric range (according to WLTP protocol), and is available across all trims. Also available is a HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 / 2-wheel drive / combination of a 180 bhp PureTech 1.6L engine and an 81 kW electric engine attached to the e-EAT8 gearbox / from 27g of C0₂ per km and up to 59 km of 100% electric range (according to the WLTP protocol), and is available in GT trim only. The new Peugeot 308 is also available with the following internal combustion engines: a PureTech (Petrol) 1.2L, 130 bhp 3-cylinder 8 speed automatic or a BlueHdi (Diesel) 1.5L, 130 bhp 4-cylinder 8 speed automatic. The new 308 will also be launched in an SW (Station Wagon/Estate) body type from July. Additionally, a fully electric version of the PEUGEOT 308 will be launched in late 2023.
Irish Road Test.
I had the pleasure of driving a new Peugeot 308 Allure 1.2-litre PureTech 130 (EAT8 8-speed automatic) from Gowan House on the Naas Road in Dublin to Glasson Lakehouse in County Westmeath (and back) for the recent Irish media launch of this exciting and eagerly-awaited family hatchback. The 3-cylinder engine in the new 308 has already proven its worth in a range of Peugeot, Citroën and Opel models (all part of the Stellantis Group), and it certainly is powerful, punchy and refined in equal measure. It can propel the 308 from 0-100km/h in just 9.7-seconds, and is capable of consuming as little as 5.6l/100km on a combined WLTP driving cycle. I am looking forward to spending a week behind the wheel of a new Peugeot 308 in the coming months, and I will provide a full road test review then. However, if early indications are anything to go by, it certainly looks like the new Peugeot 308 has an exciting future ahead of it.
Text by DG/Motoring Matters.
