GALLERY: Peugeot 308 making Frankfurt show debut

Peugeot 308 Gallery-03

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.

Peugeot 308 Gallery-09

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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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • encik boss on Sep 02, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    Hmm..I wonder how malaysian market will downgrade the 9.7inch touchscreen features.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 11
    • kadajawa on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:20 pm

      Wow this truly beautiful European car…with proper name nothing related to seluar dalam name whatsoever…bravo Peugeot good job!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 4
      • kadajawi on Sep 02, 2013 at 6:21 pm

        At least in Germany Proton called the Satria 316 and the Wira 416, well, depending on engine capacity I guess. BMW style.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 32
        • AmenoJaku on Sep 02, 2013 at 10:50 pm

          Eh wait…. this replaces the current 308, right? So why isn’t this named 309 ??

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
          • AlBeCh on Sep 03, 2013 at 7:53 pm

            Lets just say,they ran out of numbers. 309 was already used back in 1985

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
      • kadajawa-sak on Sep 02, 2013 at 6:28 pm

        too late. you don’t get it anymore if you google the name now, lol

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • Furqan on Sep 02, 2013 at 8:23 pm

      the 9.7 inch is standard on ALL models like the 208 if i’m not mistaken

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • Maserati(Official) on Sep 02, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 54
    • kadajawi on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:12 pm

      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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 4
    • Alex Lim on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 4
      • mazda is definitely reliable but you would be surprised how much more reliable modern pugs are compared to their predecessors.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
    • Just me on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:44 pm

      Luckily you don’t compare it to our national junk.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
    • Coriolis on Sep 02, 2013 at 7:24 pm

      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?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • 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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Howling on Mar 04, 2014 at 10:04 am

      Mazda Skyactive engines sucks… noisy and underpowered … buy one only if your only joy in driving is derived from fuel saving

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kadajawi on Sep 02, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    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…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
    • kadajawi on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      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…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
      • frenzyaustin on Sep 02, 2013 at 7:49 pm

        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.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
        • kadajawi on Sep 02, 2013 at 11:13 pm

          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.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • AlBeCh on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Lovely! =D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • farhan zainan on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Nice. A better looking Peugeot 308

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • frenzyaustin on Sep 02, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    The interior really put more expensive premium car into shame.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • 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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • 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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
    • lepry on Sep 02, 2013 at 6:38 pm

      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

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
      • 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.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
        • what research? how long a child can stay in hot car before die due to heat stroke?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
          • You must be asking the same thing in favor of your Nokia when the first iPhone came it.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • i truly like this car very much.
    the more i see it.
    simple yet attractive.
    too bad i already own the facelift 308T.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • drBirdie on Sep 02, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    Why no first hand info on RON95 price hike here? govt instructed to keep quiet?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • LoveP on Sep 02, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    wow nice car! falling in love …..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • paparadzi on Sep 02, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    This makes the interior of the RCZ looks dated.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Fahmi on Sep 02, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Interior looks good but I like the old exterior more…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • RajaKing on Sep 03, 2013 at 11:30 am

    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…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Front grill could be better… the rest looks up-to-date.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • laluan sehala on Oct 04, 2013 at 12:04 am

    nice rear lights

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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