Prospects aren’t great for the future of the hot hatchback, if you ask Peugeot. “If you look at the market for sporty versions, and the CO2 regulations, it has collapsed,” said Peugeot product director Jerome Micheron in a Top Gear report. This means that there won’t be a high-performance GTi version of the just-unveiled 308 hatchback, according to the report.
What about high-performance plug-in hybrid versions, such as with the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain that features in the 360 hp/520 Nm 508 PSE sedan and station wagon? Not on the cards either, apparently. “We don’t see a market yet, and it adds extra weight,” Micheron said of the idea.
The third-generation 308 does, however, feature two PHEV variants – the Hybrid 180 and Hybrid 225, both paired with the 1.6 litre turbo petrol Prince engine that outputs either 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque or 180 PS, while combined torque from the powertrain is 320 Nm.
In any case, the 308 gets a sportier stance at its base. This third-generation model is 20 mm lower than its predecessor, while stretched to be 11 mm longer with a wheelbase that has also grown by 55 mm.
What Peugeot has provided for with the EMP2 platform that underpins the latest 308 is the ability to use a fully electric powertrain, and a pure EV 308 is in the French brand’s roadmap, Peugeot told Top Gear. Before the fully electric 308 debuts, a station wagon will emerge a few months from now, the magazine has learnt.
The revelations come after the French brand unveiled its new brand identity last month, along with its aim of having 80% of all vehicles sold this year to be electrified in some form.
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Hothatch GR Yaris rulez.
aiya, want fast car got drive F1 lah…
Peugeot says market for GTIs have collapsed and yet VW sells more hot hatches than Peugeot, Renault, Toyota and Ford combined worldwide!
I think he is saying market for Peugeot hot hatchbacks have collapsed. Ridiculous.
To rephrase the statement by the Peugeot rep: ‘French car makers do not make any hot hatch that anyone wants to buy’. That saves us from making anymore unsaleable cars – there fixed the headline
The powertrain offered is very important. If we can bring in the GT hybrid version with combined 220hp, I believe even it is selling at RM180k, it still can have responses.
The French also said SUV was a passing fad kind of thing. Trust them yeah right.
Hyundai i30’N : good news’ less competitors for me in EU
They can’t replicate the success that the Golf is having in Europe. Even their fellow French competitor is doing well with the Mégane RS.