Elegant and refined, the new Peugeot 308 gets the old 307’s platform and comfy ride but a lot more style. While not as agile as the brilliant Ford Focus, the 308 feels posher.
Always strong on design the five-seat French offering is as curvy as a 1950s leading lady. There is a large glass area that lights up the cabin but if you need more daylight you can get a massive glass panoramic roof from the options list.
From the drivers seat there is no chance of seeing where the front of the 308 ends as the bonnet is steeply raked and out of site.
Tight multi-storey car parks are never pleasant but the in the 308 I’m very wary of scraping the car's nose. The 308 otherwise offers up a near MPV-like driving position that means you get good all round visibility. Five, four and three door versions will make up the range. 308 is also available in two exterior styles just like the smaller Peugeot 207.
308 has scored well in Euro NCAP crash tests achieving the maximum five star for adult occupant safety and four and three stars for child and pedestrian safety respectfully. Peugeot has gone to great lengths to ensure the 308 will hold on to its value by using high quality materials and reducing crash repair costs.
Petrol engines in the range are ‘lean burn’ (more air less fuel combusted) to maximize economy, reduce emissions. Co-developed with BMW my test car uses the same 120bhp 1.6 litre unit found in the latest Mini and while very quiet it needs a lot of revs to deliver lively performance. The clutch bite is also a little on the high side, so spirited driving is made difficult. The smallest engine available is the petrol 1.4 litre (95bhp/€20,395, 3-dr). Two excellent 1.6 HDI diesels will tempt high mileage users with a 90bhp or 110bhp outputs. HDi prices start at €23,425 and the entry-level oil burner will be a big seller.
There are six trim specification levels at the moment from ‘S’ up to ‘GT’. Air con is standard from ‘SE’ up. ESP is a very pricey option (€1,400) and only standard on the GT version. Peugeot says it is not making ESP standard in other models because the ‘C’ sector is very price sensitive.
The 308 range will have a version for everyone with a three and five-door hatch, saloon, SW lifestyle estate next year along with a GTi, but the one to wait for is the stunning coupe 308RC-Z. A diesel hybrid is on the way for 2010.
Three million examples of the 2002 European Car of the Year were sold in Europe over the last six years, so the French firm did something right with the 307. Peugeot Ireland is planning to keep residual levels high with 308 by not targeting the short-term car hire and fleet business that traditionally reduces secondhand values down by boosting supply.
Curvy and chic the 308 is a real alternative to the class leading Ford Focus and a very civilized place to spend time in.
Useless car trivia – it’s the first Peugeot to end with an 8!
Michael Sheridan
