Peugeot announces 500bhp 308 R HYbrid
Peugeot has unveiled a stunning new version of the award-winning compact family hatchback with a combined 500bhp and four-wheel drive.
Badged the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid, it has been developed by Peugeot Sport, the brand's famous in-house engineering and racing division, which last year unveiled the critically acclaimed RCZ R. The car's plug-in petrol hybrid powertrain pushes the boundaries of sporting prowess in the segment, offering a truly extraordinary performance.
The car is capable of hitting 62mph in 4.0 seconds, yet still has astonishingly low CO2 emissions of 70g/km.
Bruno Famin, Director at PEUGEOT Sport said: "PEUGEOT Sport's expertise applies an uncompromising approach to meeting targets. With our experience in hybrid vehicles developed with the PEUGEOT 908, the high-performance hybrid powertrain fitted to the 308 gives a glimpse of the potential for ultra-sports models in the future."
The contemporary style and sporting prowess of the 308 remain clearly visible. However, the 308 R HYbrid also re-imagines design cues explored on the Quartz concept, seen most recently at March's Geneva Motor Show.
With front and rear tracks widened by 80mm and riding on 235/35 R19 tyres, the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid has been created to devour the road. Its front end styling is dynamic and imposing, with expressive louvres on the bonnet and sharp edges combined with sleek surfaces in its bumper.
The grille features a chequered pattern, which allows air to cool the innovative 500bhp powertrain. The side scoops are home to the sequential LED indicators, while the central scoop sports the 308 R HYbrid signature.
In profile, the 308 R HYbrid's dramatic paint finish can be truly appreciated. Cloaked in an intense blue and developed using fluorescent pigments and glass particles, this colour salutes both the hybrid powertrain and the shade historically reserved for French competition vehicles. On the rear doors, the blue is matched with a matte black, giving a new interpretation of the car's clean lines.
At the rear, the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is remarkably understated, with a narrow spoiler at the top of the tailgate reinforcing the aerodynamics. The bumper's twin air scoops help keep the battery temperature down by drawing out the hot air, whilst the lower section is embellished with a touch of white emphasising the car's dynamic character.
by: Becca Chaplin