The Peugeot 308 after one year
In the year since the new Peugeot 308 has been on sale in the UK, it has proved as popular as was initially expected. By the time the 308 became available on January 2nd 2014, it had already been shortlisted for the Car of the Year Award, and consumers were quick to see what all the fuss was about.
In the subsequent 12 months, the 308 went on to win the Car of the Year Award, among other industry plaudits. Consumers also responded well, buying 15,000 units in the UK alone. Peugeot is now preparing to release the car in China, which is the world’s largest car market.
So what is so appealing about the compact family hatchback? The 308 was intended to combine user-friendly aspects with excellent design. To that end, the stripped-back control panel, dubbed the i-Cockpit, is easy and intuitive to use, since most functions can be controlled by the dashboard touch screen.
Innovation is a key feature of the 308. It is built around the Efficient Modular Platform Two, which includes a total of 116 patented technologies.
However, the 308 has plenty of good functions that go beneath the surface. It offers a great range of high-calibre engines. Motorists can choose the 1.6 litre Peugeot PureTech, which is a three-cylinder petrol engine that provides the golden combination of plenty of power and great fuel efficiency. Its efficiency means that it is also a low-emission car in terms of CO2. Despite the green credentials, it has been turbo-charged to optimise torque at all speeds, and provide a responsive and fun driving experience.
The other option is the 2.0 litre BlueHdi, a diesel engine. It was developed working with racing car experts, and comes with an advanced filter system to remove many of the pollutants created by the engine before they can reach the atmosphere. It can offer fuel economy of up to 91 mpg with CO2 emissions of 82g per km. These rates are better than many of the hybrid cars currently on the market.
For busy families, space is major concern. Fortunately, the 308 has 420 litres of boot space, which is the largest in the compact hatchback segment. If you’ve got something really big to transport, the “Magic Flat” seats found in the 308 are a real boon. If you need even more space than that, the 308 SW also has 660 litres of boot space below the parcel shelf, as well as an extra 70 litres under the floor and seats.
A high-performance version, the 308 GT, has also been launched, making its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2014. It is hoped that the new model will help the 308 develop enduring popularity in the years to come.
Morgan Lecoupeur, Marketing Director at Peugeot UK, said: “It’s been a triumphant year for the PEUGEOT 308, richly deserved by everyone who has been involved. That includes the creative team, the engineers who developed the car and our retailers who share its virtues with our customers.”