Peugeot electrifies 308 hatch

NEW from Peugeot is the latest chapter in the 308 series roll out, with the arrival this month of the first electrified Peugeot hatch, the GT Sport PHEV.

The model arrives as the premium contender in the range with its $64,990 (plus on-road costs) price ticket. It will sit alongside the petrol-powered 308 GT Sport Hatch and GT Premium Hatch and Wagon that we first saw here late last year.

While other 308s use a 96kW, 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, the PHEV variant employs a 132kW 1.6-litre turbo four and 81kW electric motor combination, giving a combined output of 165kW and 360Nm.

A version of the eight-speed auto used elsewhere is found in the PHEV, but in place of a torque converter the unit utilises a series of clutch packs to engage drive, which is channeled to the front wheels.

The WLTP all-electric driving range is listed at 60km, while the combined cycle fuel consumption is a miniscule 1.3L/100km. CO2 emissions are listed at 30.2g/km on the combined cycle.

Peugeot has equipped the 308 PHEV with a smaller fuel tank than its petrol counterparts, just 40 litres (compared with 52 litres elsewhere).

The 308 GT Sport hatch is identified by Hybrid badging on its flanks and can be emits a warning tone at low speeds to notifiy pedestrians of its presence.

Inside, the variant is marked by a LED Zero Emissions Driving indicator light on the dash as well as digital engine colouring for PHEV mode, a unique drive mode selector offering Hybrid, Electric and Sport modes and a Mode 2 type 2 charging cable with storage bag.

There is also electric vehicle charging station locations stored as part of the connected services plus myPeugeot app E-remote charging control.

Otherwise, the PHEV closes imitates the GT Premium Hatch for features.

These include a leather, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, privacy glass, electro-chromatic rear vision mirror, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, one-touch power windows front and rear, and power-adjustable, power-folding and heated wing mirrors.

Also on the standard features list are keyless entry and push-button ignition, 18-inch matte-black finish alloy wheels shod with 225/40R18 tyres, a power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats with massage function, panoramic opening glass sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery and a Focal premium 10-speaker audio system.

Further, the plug-n variant includes a configurable 10.0-inch digital instrument panel, a personalised colour theme for the digital display, sport adjustment to the steering and accelerator response, a 10.0-inch High Definition capacitive central touchscreen, internet connected 3D satellite navigation (with three years free subscription), FM & DAB radio reception, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and wireless smartphone charging.

Safety is covered off with front, side and side curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, long-range (up to 70 metres) blind spot detection, lane departure warning and keep assist, driver attention warning, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go functionality, speed limit recognition and recommendation, full matrix LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, 180-degree rear-view camera, rear cross-traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring.

There is also active lane positioning assist, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and multi- and post-collision braking.

While no safety rating yet exists for the PHEV model, petrol-powered 308s were accorded a four-star ANCAP result last year.

All models have the option of $690 metallic paint or $1060 premium paint: Olivine Green is the only no-cost colour.

The 308 GT Sport hatch PHEV is backed by a five-years/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assist and capped-price servicing. The battery is warranted for eight years/160,000km).

Prices for capped price servicing are $2960 over five years for pay as you go, or $2000 if you pre-pay. You can elect to pre-pay over three years instead for $1200.

2023 Peugeot 308 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.