Peugeot reveals new-gen 308, here Q1 2022

PEUGEOT has revealed its new-generation 308 hatchback ahead of its early 2022 arrival Down Under with the chic little French four-door set to offer petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains globally.

Exactly which powertrains will make it to Australia remains to be seen yet with the vast majority of the local specifications and pricing set to be revealed closer to the local launch.

On a global level, no less than seven different powertrain configurations will be available in the new 308, consisting of three petrols, two diesels and two PHEVs.

The petrol mills on offer are all turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder units developing 82kW – paired to a six-speed manual transmission – in its lesser form and 97kW in top-spec guise which comes with the option of either a manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

The diesel configurations meanwhile consist solely of a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder developing 97kW with the only difference being the transmission; manual or automatic.

As for the PHEVs, both units offer up more power than their traditionally motivated stablemates – 134kW and 168kW – with the main difference between the two being the power outputs of the central internal combustion engine (ICE).

In 134kW guise, the system is based around a small-capacity turbocharged petrol engine good for 110kW while the more potent 168kW version centres around a 132kW mill.

Electric power meanwhile comes courtesy of an 81kW electric motor attached to the eight-speed automatic transmission which draws its power from a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery, affording the PHEVs an all-electric driving range of up to 60km.

Facilitating the implementation of the PHEV powertrains in particular is the new iteration of the ‘Efficient Modular Platform’ (EMP2) underpinning the new model which also happens to add an extra 110mm to its overall length (now 4360mm) compared to the outgoing version.

55mm of that extra length can be found in the wheelbase (now 2675mm) which Peugeot says liberates plenty of extra room for rear passengers while the roofline has been dropped by 20mm (1440mm tall).

Other crucial dimensions include the 412 litres of boot space and a claimed 28L of cabin storage.

Visually there is very little resemblance between the current 308 and the new one, with the latter donning Peugeot’s new angular design language as well as its new redesigned lion badge.

The interior takes on a very similar theme to the exterior with plenty of straight lines, harsh angles and sharp contours.

As we saw with the reveal of the 508, the 308’s dash rises up high into the driver’s eyeline with the steering wheel mounted comparatively low in relation to the digital instrument cluster.

One notable omission from the cabin is the presence of a physical gear lever or dial with Peugeot instead opting for the new trendy push button-style selector mounted just below the infotainment system and start button.

Matching the new cabin is an expanded list of global standard and optional features with some of the new additions including long-range blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a high-definition 180-degree reversing camera and 360-degree parking assistance, proximity hands-free start access, heated windscreen and steering wheel, E-call+ emergency call and auto-dipping wing mirrors.

Existing equipment highlights meanwhile include adaptive cruise control with stop and go function for automatics, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection as well as collision warning, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, automatic high beam, traffic sign recognition and an electric parking brake.

Peugeot Australia general manager Kate Gillis said the local division was looking forward to launching the new 308 in the first quarter of next year.

“The new Peugeot 308's bold and stylish design, commitment to creating an enjoyable and convenient environment and driving experience for the driver and passengers and enhanced technology combine to elevate the appeal of the 308,” she said.

Local Peugeot sales are down 30.4 per cent year-on-year to the end of February (224 vs 324) with the 2008 small SUV being the only passenger vehicle to experience any sales growth.