The massive information is that the brand new Peugeot 308 might be accessible with electrified powertrains for the primary time, together with two plug-in hybrid fashions from launch.

It makes use of the identical platform as its predecessor, however the newest model of the EMP2 structure – developed by the PSA space of the brand new Stellantis group – has seen heavy growth since its introduction in 2013, when the second-generation 308 was the primary Peugeot mannequin to make use of it. 

The introduction of electrification isn’t the one massive change for this new mannequin. The brand new 308 is the primary Peugeot to put on the model’s new black and white badge, with Peugeot repositioning itself as one of many extra aspirational manufacturers within the new Stellantis group. Consequently the automotive will get an enormous inside overhaul to help this, whereas there have additionally been steps ahead in the case of infotainment and driver help know-how. 

New 2021 Peugeot 308: design and practicality

From a design perspective it could possibly be argued that the look of the 308 isn’t all too shocking, however nonetheless hanging. Peugeot has lately launched an evolution of its newest design language on the facelifted 3008 SUV, and although the 308 is smaller and sportier, it’s nonetheless in line with its increased using and extra sensible sibling. 

A robust shoulder line runs from the highest of the headlight to the tailight, and there are two distinguished new creases above the entrance and rear wheels. 

On the again, there’s a distinguished rear spoiler on the boot door, whereas the tailgate is headlined by one other typical trendy Peugeot design function – tail lights with three ‘claw’ type lighting components. 

It’s 11mm longer than the outdated automotive, at 4,360mm, and 20mm decrease. However extra importantly, the wheelbase has grown by 55mm, so regardless of the extra rakish trying rear finish, house within the again has improved. 

Boot house stands at 412 litres, so the brand new 308 ought to show one of many extra sensible choices within the household hatchback class when it goes on sale. It means the boot is bigger than the Volkswagen Golf, Hyundai i30, Ford Focus or Mercedes A-Class. 

A extra sensible property model is coming too, with the ‘SW’ badged 308 mannequin to be revealed within the coming months. 

New 2021 Peugeot 308: inside and know-how

Inside, the 308 has undergone a heavy transformation. The dashboard integrates a few of Peugeot’s latest infotainment and show know-how into a totally new design, to position far between the 308 and the 3008 SUV. 

The tall, sloping dashboard options air vents positioned excessive up, whereas a sharp-looking 10-inch touchscreen show on the dashboard controls many of the in-car tech, and now options wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

There are two variations of this display – the essential i-Join model and the i-Join plus, which options widescreen navigation from TomTom. The brand new graphical interface is customisable and makes use of a widget-based organisation system, like a smartphone or pill.

Beneath it’s a row of freely configurable touch-sensitive controls, referred to as ‘i-Toggles’. Each is a shortcut to a significant operate, corresponding to local weather management, the phone or radio. A row of ‘piano key’ type buttons sits on the base of the infotainment zone. 

The 308 continues to make use of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit steering wheel and instrument structure. That signifies that the small steering wheel sits under the brand new digital instrument panel, which is now accessible with the intelligent 3D picture tech used on the model’s smaller 208 supermini. 

The big centre console will get a brand new look too. It comes with 34 litres of space for storing, together with a big cubby, which is house to a wi-fi smartphone charger. 

Luxurious touches embrace the provision of nappa leather-based upholstery and massaging seats. There’s additionally a brand new cabin air filtration system designed to maintain polluting gasses and particles out, with the cabin air high quality stage displayed on the infotainment display.

New 2021 Peugeot 308: engines and hybrid drivetrains

Peugeot will provide the 308 with two pure petrol choices, one diesel, and two petrol plug-in hybrids. 

The petrol engine line-up kicks off with the PureTech 110 – a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine creating 108bhp, sending drive to the entrance wheels through a six-speed guide gearbox. Extra energy is obtainable with the PureTech 130, with 128bhp from the identical primary 1.2-litre engine. This may be chosen with a six-speed guide as customary, or with an eight-speed computerized transmission.

The only real diesel is Peugeot’s BlueHDi 130, a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine creating 128bhp, which is on the market with a six-speed guide gearbox. Peugeot has not revealed any efficiency, gas financial system or CO2 figures for any of the combustion models simply but. 

The 2-strong plug-in hybrid line-up opens with the Hybrid 180 mannequin. This combines a 148bhp PureTech petrol engine with a 109bhp electrical motor and a 12.4kWh battery. That’s a smaller battery to the 3008 plug-in hybrid, however Peugeot claims that 37 miles of pure electrical operating is feasible within the 308, alongside CO2 emissions as little as 25g/km, which ought to make it a compelling firm automotive selection.

Extra energy is on the market with the Hybrid 225 drivetrain, which mixes a 178bhp petrol engine with the identical 109bhp electrical motor for a most mixed energy output of 222bhp. Once more, as much as 37 miles of battery operating is claimed, whereas CO2 is up marginally to 26g/km. 

From a family plug, each batteries might be replenished in simply over seven hours; 3.7kW single-phase charging is supported as customary, which suggests recharges will take three hours and 50 minutes. A 7.4kW on-board charger might be accessible as an choice, and plugged right into a wallbox the battery will take one hour and 50 minutes to be topped up. 

The plug-in hybrid variations of the 308 function a thermal pre-conditioning operate too. By way of the MyPeugeot smartphone app or the automotive’s touchscreen, customers can schedule a wake-up level for the battery. Because of this the cells could be on the optimum temperature for effectivity from start-up, whereas the cabin could be pre-heated or cooled as nicely. 

New 2021 Peugeot 308: driver help and security know-how

Peugeot Drive Help 2.0 is making its debut on the brand new 308 – the newest growth of the agency’s semi-autonomous driver help know-how. 

Whereas earlier than, Drive Help relied on stop-and-go cruise management and lane-keep help, the brand new model can now robotically adapt the velocity of the automotive round curves, working at speeds as much as 112mph.

Elsewhere, the brand new 308 positive factors a long-range blind-spot-monitoring operate, rear cross site visitors alert and a reversing digital camera with a 180-degree area of view. A 360-degree top-down type digital camera can be accessible. 

Adaptive cruise with a full stop-and-go operate is barely accessible on computerized variations of the brand new 308, though guide variations are able to modulating distance from the automotive forward, however not under speeds of 19mph. Computerized high-beam and site visitors signal recognition are supplied, whereas each model will get an digital parking brake.

New 2021 Peugeot 308: value and on sale

Peugeot has confirmed that the brand new 308 will go on sale in Europe within the second half of 2021. Nonetheless, UK orders will start in October or November. 

A trim construction has not but been introduced both, however is more likely to observe that established by the 3008, with Energetic Premium, Attract, Attract Premium and sporty GT and GT Premium variations topping out the vary.  

Reflecting the brand new stage of know-how and Peugeot’s newest rebrand, anticipate the beginning value of the 308 to nudge upwards, to round £23,000.

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