This is the car Peugeot hopes will
end the Golf’s dominance in Europe - the all-new 308.
It won’t arrive in the UK until early 2014
but Auto Express was given a guided tour of the new hatchback in Paris by
Peugeot’s design Chief Gilles Vidal.
Key to the new car’s appeal is its quality,
with a clean, sculpted look inside and out. “We worked hard on the proportions
to give a high level of true and perceived quality,” says VidaI.
“We’ve reduced what: we call the ‘sideways
overhang’ between the windows and the wheel arch edge, and have worked on the
width and muscle of the car, too.”
There’s also what VidaI calls a ‘hi-tech
light signature”, with three claw-like LEDs at the back, LED running lights and
full LED headlamps on top-spec models.
“We
worked hard on the proportions to give a high level of true and perceived
quality,” says VidaI.
Like the 208 super-mini, the new 308 is
slightly smaller than the car it replaces - 2cm shorter and 4cm lower—yet with
more passenger room and a boot that, 470 liters, is nearly 25 per cent bigger
than the V’W’s. It’s light, too- up to 140kg less than the previous model.
That’s mostly due to using the clever EMP2 modular platform that’ll underpin a
range of Peugeots and Citroens, including the new C4 Picasso.
It means there’ll be a version emitting
less than 85g/km of CO2 and returning more than 80mpg, while a
diesel hybrid model will also feature.
That’s
mostly due to using the clever EMP2 modular platform that’ll underpin a range
of Peugeots and Citroens, including the new C4 Picasso.
The interior really takes the challenge to
the Golf and Audi A3 when it comes to quality. “A big part of the project has
been an extra investment in quality materials,” says Vidai. “And we’ve worked
hard with sound engineers to make sure the sound of the doors shutting ads to
the car’s quality feel.”
The simple dash is dominated by a 9.7-inch
touchscreen that houses all the infotainment and climate control functions,
with the exception of an exquisitely designed volume knob.
The
interior really takes the challenge to the Golf and Audi A3 when it comes to
quality.
The 308 also gets the head up instrument
binnacle and small steering wheel that’s been less than well received in the
208 albeit differently positioned. The very latest luxury and safety equipment
will also be offered.
This hatchback won’t be the only 308 we’ll
see. An estate version will follow, while a Gil model (Issue 1,267) is also
expected to arrive by 2015.
