After almost eight years, Peugeot retires the second generation 308. This is the new Peugeot 308, an incredibly sharply cut hatchback that will be launched in the second half of this year. The new 308 will be available with two plug-in hybrid powertrains, but will also feature conventional petrol and diesel engines.
Highlights
- Considerably longer than the previous 308
- Two plug-in hybrid powertrains
- Aggressive design and new i-Cockpit
- On the market in the second half of 2021
Stellantis is very busy with it. Recently, the DS 4 was brought to a new generation and later this year it will launch the new Opel Astra. However, now it is the turn of the Peugeot 308 to be renewed. The new 308 is a further development of the EMP2 platform that was already under the previous model. This thoroughly revised base ensures, among other things, that the new Peugeot 308 has made a considerable growth spurt.
Peugeot 308
With a length of 4.37 meters, the new 308 is no less than 11 centimeters longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase grows with it, by 5.5 centimeters to 2.68 meters. The third generation 308 is not only longer but also lower than its predecessor (-2 cm). The rear passengers in particular benefit from the extra centimeters. The luggage compartment of the new 308 is, remarkably enough, slightly smaller at 412 liters than that of the 308 that is still available at dealers. That is far from a disaster, it simply trumps the Golf (381 liters) and Focus (375 liters) with it. If you throw the back seat flat, you can stow 1,323 liters of material. Later there will of course also be a 308 SW, but Peugeot is not letting go of that yet.
Peugeot 308
Plug-in hybrid
Anyone familiar with the EMP2 platform will know that it is suitable for plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Peugeot 308 is getting plug-in hybrid powertrains for the first time in its history. The most powerful consists of a 180 hp 1.6 PureTech petrol engine and, together with a 110 hp electric motor that is incorporated in the eight-speed automatic transmission, it produces a system power of 225 hp. The 308 Hybrid 225 called plug-in hybrid has a 12.4 kWh battery pack that gives the plug-308 an electric range of 59 kilometers. The 308 will also be available as Hybrid 180, a 180 hp plug-in hybrid with a 150 hp petrol engine and the same 110 hp electric motor as the Hybrid 225. This version also has a 12.4 kWh battery and squeezes there according to Peugeot 60 kilometers of electric range. The luggage compartment of the 308 Hybrids is slightly smaller due to the placement of the battery pack. It consumes 361 instead of 412 liters. A 3.7 kW 1-phase on-board charger is standard, a 7.4 kW 1-phase charger is optional. A cyan-colored LED in the interior mirror of the Hybrid versions informs the outside world that the 308 is electrically making its meters. Nice for those who like to show them off.
Petrol and diesel
Prefer no plug-in? No problem. The new Peugeot 308 can also be ordered with the well-known PureTech 110 and PureTech 130 petrol engines. The 110 hp 1.2 can only be linked to a manual six-speed gearbox, the 130 hp 1.2 is available with a manual gearbox as well as with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Diesel is also possible with a 130 hp 1.5 BlueHDi, an engine that is available with both manual and automatic transmission.
Peugeot 308
Exterior
It is over and out with the friendly muzzle of the previous 308. The new Peugeot 308 has a strikingly aggressive front with strongly pinched and therefore vicious looking LED headlights. LED matrix viewers are standard on the GT and GT Pack. Peugeot’s new house style brings the signature tusks, vertical LED strips that act as daytime running lights and turn signals, to Peugeot’s new 308. The license plate at the front moves one floor down. In the center of the nose the new Peugeot logo, a copy that harks back to the past. That logo deserves extra attention, as the Peugeot designers seem to have thought. The structure of the grille seems to more or less flow towards it. Behind the logo, Peugeot has incorporated the radar for the passive and active safety systems. The bonnet of the new 308 is longer and sloping down significantly less than the copy of its predecessor. It gives the 308 an extra biting face.
Peugeot 308
Seen from the side, the new 308 shows something of its bloodline. For example, the windows, with its close to the C-pillar, appear relatively straight but with rounded corners, sloping lines strongly resemble those of its predecessor. We also recognize the way in which the rear window cuts into the C-pillar from the outgoing Peugeot 308. The rear spoiler has grown a bit. At the back, the 308 is clearly a big brother of the 208. Here, too, fairly flat, dark LED taillights that are connected by a black strip. The number plate also drops one floor here and is now, just like with the 208, in a contrasting insert in the rear bumper. This now also houses the rear fog light and reversing lights. Pontifical on the tailgate, of course, the new Peugeot logo.
Peugeot 308
Interior and gadgets
The new Peugeot 308 has a recognizable interior that is completely new. As with the previous i-Cockpits, the digital instrumentation is now located relatively high behind a small steering wheel and the rest of the dashboard is in a sense built around the driver. The new placement of the 10-inch infotainment system is striking. That is no longer above the ventilation grilles in the center of the dashboard, but is now a lot lower. Via wireless screen mirroring two telephones can be connected to the system. The software is completely new and, according to Peugeot, is highly customizable. Whoever says “Ok Peugeot” can give the system commands by chatting to it.
Underneath is a panel with touch-sensitive infotainment system shortcuts, including a hotkey to directly control the climate control. Physical buttons are still there, they are located directly below the panel with shortcuts.
Peugeot 308
The canopy of the 10-inch digital instrumentation merges into a wide strip that runs high into the cockpit in which the ventilation grilles are incorporated. Behind the infotainment screen is ambient lighting that illuminates the dashboard all the way to the doors with a glow of one of eight available colors. Depending on the equipment level, the door panels are finished with artificial leather, fabric, Alcantara and aluminum parts.
Another striking thing: the bar connecting the center tunnel and the center console is a lot shorter and now sits directly next to the driver instead of on the side of the co-driver. This includes the Driving Style Selector with which you can choose from various driving modes. Above it is the ‘switch’ to operate the machine. So no more fancy bat. Peugeot has housed an inductive charger in the niche between the center console and the center tunnel. An electric parking brake is standard, the same applies to the heated windscreen.
Security systems
No new model without new active and passive safety systems. The new Peugeot 308 will therefore be available at the end of this year with the Drive Assist 2.0 package, a package that, among other things, brings adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and an active lane assistant to the Peugeot 308. The adaptive cruise control adjusts the speed based on traffic signs, among other things, and brakes automatically up to a speed of 180 km / h for cornering. Between 70 and 180 km / h, the 308 is able to overtake cars itself. The 308 is also available with things like blind spot detection, a 180-degree reversing camera, 360-degree parking assistance, automatic and automatic high beam.
Prices are not yet available, which will follow in the run-up to the market launch that will take place in the second half of this year.