FORECOURT
PEUGEOT 308
Under the bonnet
The 1.6-litre petrol with electric motor combine to produce 222bhp and 360Nm of torque.
Peugeot’s new 308 hatch is here and it promises some big steps forward. Ted Welford sees if it’s worth considering.
THE KNOWLEDGE Peugeot 308 GT Premium 225 PHEV Price (as tested): £42,415 Engine: 1.6-litre petrolelectric plug-in hybrid Power: 222bhp Torque: 360Nm Max speed: 146mph O-60mph: 7.3 seconds MPG (combined): 213.8-266.2 Emissions: 24-30g/km CO2
WHAT IS IT? Given that the outgoing 308 hatchback first arrived in 2013, this was a car that was really starting to show its grey hairs, especially as the pace of development is fast in this class, so Peugeot is aiming to return to form with this new car. WHAT’S NEW? Ushering in Peugeot’s latest design language, the new 308 is the first model from the firm to wear the brand’s new logo. Other changes include a new infotainment system. Things are also modernised with a pair of new plug-in hybrid powertrains as part of Peugeot’s rapidly growing electrified range. There’ll even be a 308 EV, but not for at least another year. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Peugeot is big on choice, which is why you’ll still find the 308 sold with conventional petrol and diesel engines. All versions are now automatic-only, though. We tried the top-spec Hybrid 225 model, which pairs a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 222bhp and 360Nm of torque. It’s the quickest 308 in the range, with 0-60mph taking 7.3 seconds, and is capable of 146mph. Its claimed 37-mile electric range could allow for more than 200mpg if you plug it in regularly, while CO2 emissions of 24g/km to 30g/km give it very low company car tax rates. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? On start-up, the 308 is near silent, and it’s happy to pootle around on electric quite happily, with the motor on its own kicking out a respectable 108bhp. The switch between petrol and electric is smooth too, although the eight-speed automatic gearbox can feel a bit jerky. It’s not as quick as the figures suggest, though, and the small steering wheel and digital dial combination won’t suit everyone. It can make finding a perfect driving position difficult, and you can’t always see the dials easily because the top of the steering wheel gets in the way. On a more positive note, the 308 handles nicely and the ride is impressive, particularly for a plug-in hybrid and the fact that our test car was riding on the largest 18inch alloy wheels. HOW DOES IT LOOK? Peugeot has been getting more adventurous by the year with its designs, and the 308 is
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