We first saw the new Peugeot 308 in May, but the French brand’s latest C-segment hatchback will be shown in the metal for the first time at the IAA show in Frankfurt this month. It’s interesting to note that this is the first time an all-new Peugeot is using a carryover name.
The handsome hatchback (looks so much more matured now, doesn’t it?) is an all-new Golf-fighter underpinned by the new EMP2 modular platform, which replaces the long-serving PF2 platform used since the Peugeot 307. Development of this new architecture has resulted in 116 patent applications and contributes towards the new 308’s dynamic qualities, which is claimed to be excellent.
The new platform also plays a key role in the considerable weight reduction, by an average of 140 kg compared to the outgoing car. Size wise, the new Pug is about the size of the Mk7 Golf at 4.25 metres long.
Looks wise, the front end is dominated by Peugeot’s new family face, which features a ‘floating’ grille and slim LED headlamps, the latter a first in the segment. At the back, you’ll find Peugeot’s triple ‘lion claws’ drawn by LEDs.
Inside, the 308 gets an i-cockpit with ‘head-up’ instrument layout, something we first saw in the smaller 208. Like the supermini, there’s a big touch screen in the middle that reduces the number of physical buttons – it’s 9.7 inches wide in this case.
The new 308 will go on sale in mainland Europe shortly after its Frankfurt debut. UK, the car’s major right-hand-drive market, will get the car from January 2014, so it should be awhile more before it sails to our shores. Full details when the wraps come off.
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Hmm..I wonder how malaysian market will downgrade the 9.7inch touchscreen features.
Wow this truly beautiful European car…with proper name nothing related to seluar dalam name whatsoever…bravo Peugeot good job!
At least in Germany Proton called the Satria 316 and the Wira 416, well, depending on engine capacity I guess. BMW style.
Eh wait…. this replaces the current 308, right? So why isn’t this named 309 ??
Lets just say,they ran out of numbers. 309 was already used back in 1985
too late. you don’t get it anymore if you google the name now, lol
the 9.7 inch is standard on ALL models like the 208 if i’m not mistaken
Looks good! Still a step down from Mazda 3 if you r choosing this Peugoet.
In my unbiased opinion, Mazda 3 will be the car to beat of 2014 and 2015. The C Class, A4 and 3 Series are having a hard time beating this gem from Sushi Land.
Yeah right. At least get the competitors right. The Mazda3 is the non-premium competitor of the A class, A3 and 1 series. The C class, A4 and 3 series go against the Mazda6.
In isolation, the Mazda 3 interior is definitely a very good looking. But next to the 308, it immediately looks dated / less futuristic. Haha. In terms of reliability and depreciation, the Japanese will win la! But classiness, cannot la.
mazda is definitely reliable but you would be surprised how much more reliable modern pugs are compared to their predecessors.
Luckily you don’t compare it to our national junk.
yup, no need to compare coz mazda3 auto sucky performance
Pretty hard to find another worst car to compared to our junk!
There is, YOUR car, haha!
My car is import car sorry…
wow, what car? tata nano? LOL
Unbiased opinion? The fact that you’re putting a hyped up econobox against entry level exec sedans makes me suspect you should be Mazda (official) and not maserati (official).
To be fair the new Mazda 3 looks like a decent car, but let’s be real alright? Unbiased konon..
Back on topic: seems like we may have a winner if naza could bring this in with minimal loss of quality. Why pay 160k+ for a golf when you can get a competitor for much less?
Dont make me laugh.. if u said mazda 3 is the best compared to civic, altis, lancer i agree… Compared to 3 series ? A4 ?.. just see their engine already can put mazda 3 into shame.
Mazda Skyactive engines sucks… noisy and underpowered … buy one only if your only joy in driving is derived from fuel saving
Interesting interior. I wonder how well that small and low steering wheel will go with people… I’ve read some complain they couldn’t find a good position in the 208.
Are those full LED headlights? That’s novel, and expensive. But the Prius had optional full LED headlights I believe, and it could be seen as a C segment car… soooo…
The more I look at it the more I like it.
If the metal parts are really metal then it will be rather nice. Also… is that a snake skin pattern on the plastic next to the seat? That’s an odd choice…
Not a fan of the exterior, I like it but not so much. Interior is totally another planet compare to same segment. The new exterior feels like it can be a really good sedan conversion like a mini 508, not ruined and half assed like 408 and 207 sedan. Hopefully sedan conversion is done by the French. SEA conversion really horrible and ruined multiple good car like M2, Fiesta Sedam 408, 207 sedan.
I don’t think those conversions are ruined because they were done in SEA (if they even were). But the more hatchback the design is, the cooler, fresher, dynamic, modern the car looks as a hatchback, the harder it is to convert to a sedan. The Polo works pretty well as a sedan, because it is a very straight design. But the Fiesta has a very dynamic design, very crouched forward, with the rear going up, and up, and up… until there is no way to turn it into a nice sedan.
Lovely! =D
Nice. A better looking Peugeot 308
The interior really put more expensive premium car into shame.
to be honest the interior put suprima s into shame
but suprima s got nice bmw oem leather seats.
oh why peugeot do you insist that the meter cluster placement is a good idea? People dont drive around with the steering wheel located low near your thighs.
if the car sell at current price with slight up grade on the output from 156hp to 170hp with 260nm overboost to 280nm.
man, this is the car to beat!
mazda 3 cant beat in term of specs and the power.
style wise, it is conservative but look elegant.
a mature and sincere product from peugeot.
even in their previous product like 208, 508, we can see this french people do have their ego in their product, no compromise.
please NAZA dont spoil this car when come to here.
anyway, if the display in this 308 went wrong how to turn on air condition? the people in it may be burnt in hot Malaysian weather
think they should have done enough research and experiment on the screen for durability.
this is going to be global model,if this is problematic,going to cost a lot for them to settle the claim later.
you can call a bold move,buttonless interface.
what research? how long a child can stay in hot car before die due to heat stroke?
You must be asking the same thing in favor of your Nokia when the first iPhone came it.
i truly like this car very much.
the more i see it.
simple yet attractive.
too bad i already own the facelift 308T.
drillzz or it only happens in your dream, lol
Why no first hand info on RON95 price hike here? govt instructed to keep quiet?
wow nice car! falling in love …..
This makes the interior of the RCZ looks dated.
Interior looks good but I like the old exterior more…
yay that old big a** is gone.. but looking at it,i feel that the design cue is something between VW and Ford..which is nice.
VTi variant is enough for me though…
Front grill could be better… the rest looks up-to-date.
Front bumper looks like Opel Astra
nice rear lights