Can a 1.2-litre three-cylinder
car clock a century sprint of 10.7 seconds, a top speed of 200kmh and a
consumption figure of 5.2 litres/100km?
Peugeot claims its new 308 hatchback can. Those figures would have
been impressive even for a bigger car with a hybrid drivetrain, but are
nothing short of astounding for a hatch with such a modest engine.
But are they achievable in real life?
During a test-drive over three days, the car averaged 7.1
litres/100km. That is still rather commendable, even if it is not quite
5.2 as measured by regulators in Europe, where vehicles seem to enjoy
strong tailwinds all year round.
The car is generally lively, with a throttle that is calibrated for
efficiency and yet is more responsive than what you have come to expect
of a Peugeot.
Its transmission is a traditional six-speed automatic, not the jerky
robotised manual that is often found in small European cars.
Hence the 308 enjoys smoothness and a good measure of linearity in its progress, which in turn contributes to its acceleration.
In short, its 10.7-second sprint to 100kmh feels real.
Its 200kmh top speed, on the other hand, seems a tad optimistic even
though there isn't any opportunity in Singapore to verify that.
But given a long, straight and flat stretch of autobahn (and a strong tailwind), who knows?
What is more certain is that the new French five-door has made a big
leap forward in terms of refinement, fit and finish, and equipment
level.
The only tell-tale sign of Peugeot's inability (or refusal) to keep
up with the times is the car's complicated cruise control stalk.
Fiddling with that thing on the go is probably as unsafe as texting.
Otherwise, the car is now on a par with its fellow French models, and even Volkswagen and Opel.
The cockpit is wrapped in soft plastics, panels are aligned
perfectly (you can tell visually as well as aurally), and the cabin is
as quiet as that of a 2-litre executive sedan.
The last trait is amazing, considering that cars with such a small
engine tend to rev high and are more prone to vibration and harshness.
Yet the 308 feels relaxed most of the time - proof that its
six-speed autobox makes good use of what the puny engine has to offer.
The three-cylinder unit is turbocharged to churn out a decent 129bhp
and an enviable 230Nm of torque from 1,750rpm. It is actually more
punchy than equivalent three-cylinders used by BMW Group.
What's more, the 308 is a pretty light car for its size, tipping the
scales at 1,150kg when empty. The hatch measures 4,253mm by 1,804mm by
1,472mm (tall). It seats five quite easily and offers a luggage space
of 470 litres. That makes it slightly shorter, but wider, taller and
lighter, than the VW Golf.
What takes the cake, though, is its list of premium features. The
higher Allure variant boasts full-LED lighting, keyless acccess and
ignition, electric parking brake, 9.7-inch multi-media touchscreen
monitor, navigation, panoramic glass roof and Park Assist.
Those who enjoy driving will welcome the 308's well-sorted dynamics
and a suspension that offers a good compromise of handling and ride
comfort. Its straight-line stability is one of the best there is. The
only flaw is that its front left-quarter visibility is poor, making
sharp left turns a bit harder to judge.
For those who just want a car that is comfortable, well built and
generously equipped, know that the Pug hatch is now harder to beat than
ever before.
Specs
PEUGEOT 308 ALLURE
Price: $125,900 with COE
Engine: 1,199cc 12-valve inline-3 turbo
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual override
Power: 129bhp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 230Nm at 1,750rpm
0-100kmh: 10.7 seconds
Top speed: 200kmh
Fuel consumption: 5.2 litres/100km
