Peugeot 308

Interior

Launched as the replacement for the Peugeot 307 in most international markets, the new vehicle was based upon the old 307's chassis, but has new bodywork and is slightly longer and wider. Its coefficient of drag is 0.29, and it has a five-star rating on Euro NCAP. Following the facelift of March 2011, the drag factor was reduced to 0.28.[5]

The 308 HDi holds the Guinness world record of the most fuel efficient mainstream car currently in production, having averaged 3.13 litres per 100 kilometres (90 mpg_‑imp; 75 mpg_‑US) over a distance of 14,580 km (9,060 mi), but Peugeot ran foul of British advertising rules by claiming 126 mpg_‑imp (2.24 L/100 km; 105 mpg_‑US) in an advert for the car.[6]

The 308 is manufactured in France at the Mulhouse and Sochaux factories.[7] It is also manufactured in Kaluga, Russia, for the local market, since 2010, and El Palomar, Argentina, for the South American market since 2012.[8] The 308 remains in production for several countries, especially those that prefer saloon bodies, such as China.

The 308 was available as a five door hatchback, with a three door limited to a few markets. In May 2010, Peugeot announced the return of a GTI model (known as the GT in the United Kingdom), featuring a turbocharged 1.6 L engine with 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS).[9]

A station wagon concept version of the 308, the Peugeot 308 SW Prologue, was also unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production version was shown at the 78th International Geneva Motor Show in March 2008 and went on sale that summer. The 308 SW (or 308 Touring in Australia) was available in a five or seven-seat versions.

A further variation of the X08 chassis used by the 308 is an SUV or an MPV, named 3008.[10]

A cabriolet with a retractable hardtop known as the 308 CC replaced the Peugeot 307 CC in February 2009.[11] The roof folds into the boot in twenty seconds, and at up to speeds of 7.5 mph (12.1 km/h). With the roof up the boot space capacity is 465 litres but this reduces to 266 litres with the roof down.

In September 2011, Peugeot presented, for the market in China, a four-door sedan version of the 308.[12] This version produced for the market in China by Dongfeng is based on 308 facelift, but differs from the model in Europe, with large front grille, more chrome on the hips and different shape of the LED taillights. The interior is identical to the European model.

The engine range includes a petrol 1.6 16V 110 hp and 143 hp 2.0 16V. The trunk has a volume of 502 liters. The Peugeot 308 sedan, sold at 160.000 units in three years, joins the Peugeot 408 in China, a C segment car with a slightly higher price.

Facelift of 2011

Peugeot CC (facelift)

A facelifted 308 was released in May 2011, following the public launch at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, with a new front end and minor changes to the rear of the vehicle. Peugeot also launched the 308 e HDI micro-hybrid model with stop-start technology, a system to recover energy during deceleration and a hybrid battery that delivers additional energy on startup.

A full hybrid 3008 was also announced at the same time. The version produced in South America is assembled with this facelift. The facelift was also given to the 308 SW and 308 CC.

As the EMP2 platform is not exported to South America, the first generation 308 is still marketed there and receives a second 308 II restyling in 2015. The front bumper is inspired by the 308 II (reduced front lights, Peugeot logo, and text, anti-fog lights, less contoured hood ...).

The interior undergoes some modifications to accommodate some elements of the 308 II. There is a touch screen perfectly integrated with the centre console, instead of the traditional CD / MP3 and empty pockets.

Bosch announced in June 2007 that it was supplying hybrid diesel-electric technology to Peugeot for the 308.[13] A prototype 308 equipped with this technology was displayed in the Frankfurt Motor Show of 2007, and a further 'Prologue' concept car was shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, featuring a 1.6 litre HDi engine to turn the front wheels, and an electric motor to turn the rears.[14]

Peugeot presented a 2+2 coupé concept car development of the 308, the 308 RCZ,[15] at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. This coupé concept is 18 mm lower than the standard car. It has similar proportions to the Audi TT. The final production model was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the RCZ without the 308 name, and went on sale in the spring of 2010.

In November 2007, the 308 was awarded the Goldene Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) in Germany. A panel of automotive professionals chose the 308 as the best compact family car after it finished first in nine of the 15 criteria.[16]

First generation (T7, 2008–2013)

Groupe PSA announced that the following models; Peugeot 308 1.2L Puretech 82ps MT5, 1.2L PureTech 130 MT6, Peugeot 308 SW 1.5L BlueHDi 130 MT6 and two other Peugeot & Citroen models are compliant to WLTP Euro 6D Temp regulations up to 2020 RDE Conformity factory of 1.5 x regulated limited in real-world driving emissions for NOx and PN.[19] [20]

The Peugeot 308 GTI by Peugeot Sport featured engines producing 250 hp (186 kW) and 270 hp (201 kW). The 250 hp version had full LED headlights, an electronic limited slip differential, 18" alloys, keyless entry, stop/start technology, 11 mm lowered ride height, a coloured reversing camera and twin exhausts.

Additionally, the 270 hp version gets 380 mm Alcon front brakes, massaging leather/Alcantara bucket seats, a torsen limited-slip differential and 19" lightweight alloy wheels.

In March 2014, the Peugeot 308 was awarded European Car of the Year, in competition with the BMW i3 and Tesla Model S.[21] The Peugeot 308 was also voted Car of the Year by Auto Europa in Italy, by the Italian automotive journalists association, Car of the Year in Switzerland by Schweizer Illustrierte, and four other magazines.[22][23]

The features include a new bonnet and front bumper design and indicators that scroll, and a newly designed grille that features the famous Peugeot Lion. All models, except Active and GTi, feature the Panoramic roof. New DRLs are matched at the back with the LED Claws lit permanently when the vehicle is running.

A new more powerful 1.5HDi engine with 130 bhp joined the line up from September 2017. All models have TomTom satellite navigation as standard in addition to the central touchscreen update.

In July 2020, a revised 308 was announced featuring a number of trim and colour changes, but most significantly, the introduction of the digital i-Cockpit which was first introduced on the Peugeot 3008.

The hatchback will grow a few centimeters compared to its predecessor to reach 4.30 m and get closer to its European competitors.

It will be offered as a hybrid for the first time and will unveil a 150 horsepower engine. The 225 horsepower version, taken from the Peugeot 508 and Peugeot 3008, will also be available on the GT version.[26]

As for a 100% electric version, the project was studied but PSA refused it, for lack of profitability.

The break (SW) version will also be renewed and presented at the end of the year 2021.

For the North American and Chinese market, a raised hatchback version, named project P54, will be launched in 2023.[27]