Not to be confused with the new Peugeot 408, here’s a look at the new Peugeot 308 Sedan for China. The French car maker hasn’t revealed any specifications or interior pictures yet, but said that the new C-segment sedan will make its full debut some time in the second half of this year.
Produced in collaboration with its Chinese partner, Dongfeng, the new 308 Sedan is said to be a part of the PSA Group’s “China: Blue Upper” five-year strategic development plan. Speaking about the model itself, Peugeot only mentioned that its upcoming sedan will be based on the latest EMP2 platform — the same architecture that underpins the 308 hatchback.
For those who aren’t aware, the 308 Sedan is typically sold alongside the 408 (also a sedan) in China. Prior to this new model’s arrival, the former 308 Sedan featured very similar styling to the 308 hatchback, save for its protruding rear end. The 408 (which was sold here), on the other hand, offered a unique front fascia and was slightly longer than the old 308 Sedan.
But with the latest-gen 408 and 308 hatchback now featuring a common design theme, it appears that the roles have been reversed – this new 308 Sedan appears to be the one with the unique looks instead. Its dimensions have not been revealed yet, so it’s hard to say how the new 308 Sedan measures up against the current 408 and whether or not it has outgrown the model.
The 308 Sedan features a sportier front bumper with larger air intakes on the sides. The front grille is similar to what we’ve seen on the facelifted 2008 SUV (with horizontal lines instead), and there is a completely redesigned rear end that features Peugeot’s signature three-claw tail lights and a connecting piece in between. The bumper is completely new as well, offering a lower position for the vehicle’s license plate with a new diffuser insert and exhaust tips.
The 308 Sedan will likely offer the same run of engines as the latest-gen 308 hatchback (308S) in China. This will include a three-cylinder 1.2 litre THP turbo unit and a 1.6 litre THP four-pot turbo. Automatic and manual transmission options should also be available.
