“While
you’d expect, say, a cutting-
edge hybrid to come with a futuristic
dash, it’s the new-generation 308 —
brand new from the floor up — that
provides one...”
IT'S FACE WEARS Peugeot's new upmarket chrome-ringed grille, graced by
expressive full LED headlights (a world first) with integrated LED daytime
running lights.
Down the sides two things stand out — the close-to-the-'corners'
18-inch alloy wheels and the upscale finishing chrome surround edging the
glasshouse. Reach the tail and there are more LED lamps, fashioned in a smart
and conspicuous 'claw' design, along with the characteristic Peugeot triangular
rear quarter panels. This is a hatch that invites a second look…
Settle
back into the driver's seat and you'll wonder where all the switches and knobs
that clutter up the traditional car dash have gone. They've not so much disappeared
as been migrated to a new onboard digital world: now, like your smart phone,
you tap or flick a fingertip over the 308's large (9.7-inch) central touchscreen
(with sharp high-resolution graphics) to operate just about everything apart
from the lights, indicators and wipers which, for obvious reasons, remain on
the column stalks.
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“Now, like your smart
phone, you tap or flick a
fingertip over the large
central touchscreen to
operate just about
everything apart from the
lights, indicators and
wipers...”
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Radical
it may appear but it takes just a few minutes to absorb and attune to this brave
new command and control system — simply finger-tap your choice from
the large self-explanatory icons to select the desired function for any of the
following:
AirCon; Driving Aids (reversing camera, Dynamic Cruise Control, speed limiter,
Emergency Collision Alert & Braking); Multimedia (6.9GB Jukebox, audio steaming,
interactive handbook); Navigation; Telephone (Bluetooth); Peugeot Connect Apps
(finds you nearby parking spaces, the cost of fuel at local forecourts, traffic,
weather and tourists information); and Configuration, for personalising core
vehicle settings.
The menus work fluently and the navigation, in particular, is foolproof; setting
a destination is a doddle, and along with perfect clarity and accurate spoken
directions you get bird's-eye and junction views with the posted speed limits
displayed on the map. All of which makes for stress-free travelling on both
familiar and new routes.
Also likely to be new to both first-time and returning Peugeot drivers will
be the 'head up' instrument arrangement — as on the new 2008, the
dials and digital speed readout are viewed over the top of the compact three-spoke
wheel's rim instead of through it. Try it; you'll like it. Plus it keeps your
eyes where they should be — taking in the road and traffic ahead.
As you might expect, there's an electric parking brake — not only
is it quiet (some make quite a racket) but better than that, it's one you can
order to automatically apply and release itself. And, to paraphrase Google:
"People who liked this also liked…" the Park Assist system, which will manoeuvre
your 308 perfectly into the tightest gap, either nose-to-tail or side-by-side.
Okay, so the world's not quite up to speed with self-drive cars like Will Smith's
Audi in the dystopian sci-fi thriller I, Robot — but, like
it or not, we're already headed down that road.
The
physical, as opposed to mental, elements of the cabin are also fine —
however, while the Feline trim level might be the range-topper, that still doesn't
get you Nappa leather upholstery. For that you need to pay an extra £1,200 but,
Hey!, that also gets you a pair of heated front seats with a massage
function. The standard part-Alcantara seat 'skins' are perfectly okay, but considering
the pleasure to be had for that extra £1,200 it's likely to be one of the most
ticked option boxes.
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“Given its compact 4.25m
length, Peugeot have
fitted in a surprisingly
large boot: 470 litres.
Fold down the 60:40-split
back seats and you have
a very useful, intrusion-
free loadbay that will
take 1,309 litres...”
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Adding
another dimension to the 308's interior is a panoramic glass roof that stretches
all the way back to the rear headrests and floods the cabin with light —
unless you prefer to keep the one-shot power-operated sunblind closed.
Space-wise this new 308 will carry five, and up front all is fine and dandy
with smartly finished, well-shaped and supportive seats with decent side bolstering.
There's a fist of headroom, masses of elbow and shoulder room and excellent
under-thigh support so even big people will be comfy.
The driver also enjoys power-adjustable lumbar support; front passengers adjust
theirs manually. A polished alloy gear knob crowns the short gear lever and
is close to the wheel and your left hand, while a comfortably-angled rest is
there for your left foot when in cruise control mode.
The wide-opening rear doors provide easy access and two adults can be very comfortable
indeed sitting either side of the wide, nicely-cushioned, drop-down central
armrest with its pair of built-in cupholders. The side windows are large, long
and deep and headroom is not an issue. Knee room is fine plus there's lots of
room for feet. And the good-sized door bins are for real-life use, not just
show. Teenagers and youngsters will be well accommodated, even if they number
three. All passengers will also be sure to appreciate the benefits —
summer drinks-wise — of the 12-litre cooled glovebox.
Given its compact 4.25m length, Peugeot have fitted in a surprisingly large
boot: 470 litres. Fold down the 60:40-split back seats and you have a very useful,
intrusion-free loadbay that will take 1,309 litres. The tailgate opens high
(an easy rise, as it's now made of weight-saving composite thermoplastic), the
load sill is low and access is through a wide rectangular opening. A ski-hatch
boosts versatility.
Those
308 owners looking for some decent get-up-and-go from this latest Peugeot hatch
will have their eye on the turboed petrol-drinking 1.6-litre THP 156. That last
number refers to 156bhp, and it's accompanied by a beefy 177lb ft of torque
from 1,400rpm.
Use
the lot and it will propel the 308 to 132mph, getting off the line to 62mph
in 8.4 seconds. Regularly drive like that though and you probably won't see
what we did: an average of 43.6mpg. Officially 48.7mpg is the combined figure
(with 35.8 around the houses and 61.4 touring).
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“308 owners looking for
some get-up-and-go
will have their eye on the
turboed
THP 156.
Use the lot and it will
zip to 62mph in 8.4
seconds. Drive like
that though and you
probably won’t
see what
we did: an average of
43.6mpg...”
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The
1.6 engine, like the vast majority of today's cars, puts its power down through
the front wheels via a six-speed manual 'box. Not only is the 308's mechanical
heart eager, but it's no longer handicapped by a heavy body — this
latest-generation 308 is 140kg lighter than the superseded model. This improves
not only performance and mpg (as well as reducing emissions) but also helps
contribute to sharper handling.
Adding to the fun is the downsized but not too dinky (351 x 329mm), flat-bottomed,
Nappa-wrapped helm which, by the way, we all liked because, as you'd correctly
suppose, it quickens up the steering and provides better feedback to make the
car feel nimble and suitably wieldy in your hands.
Of course it helps that the new platform's suspension, handling and grip are
good enough for some 'game on' driving — do so and you'll find that
the easy-to-place 308 handles keenly and rides flat, its cornering ability made
more usable by tidy turn-in.
It's a satisfying pairing with the 156bhp four-pot because when you need power
it's there, delivering plenty of shove at both low revs and mid-range for safe
overtaking; there's even a fair bit left as the red-and-chrome needle closes
on the red-line. It's flexible too: if you catch yourself tootling along at
40mph in 6th it won't grumble.
And it delivers all this with a complaint and generally comfortable ride (even
on the 18-inch alloys it's not really troubled by bumps) and along with an agreeable
ambience the cabin is quiet and refined under way.
For the record, the 308 line-up's petrol engines run from an 82bhp 1.2-litre
three-cylinder turbo (also available in 110 or 130bhp guise) to 1.6-litre powerplants
that can be had in either 125 or 156bhp tune.
Diesels
also make a strong showing with 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacity engines as well as
a new super-lean, super-clean 120bhp 1.6 BlueHDi model that emits just 82g/km
and is said to be good for 91.1mpg economy (making it one of the most fuel-efficient
cars in the real world) and which will, deservedly, be loved by green-blooded
motorists. Those with red blood will be sticking with the 156bhp 1.6. And both
will be smiling.
This
156bhp version is not one of the French marque's famous GTi hot hatches —
one will no doubt be along shortly — but even so the driving dynamics
are good enough for you to have some plaisir behind the wheel.
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“This 156bhp version is
not one of the French
marque’s famous GTi hot
hatches — one will no
doubt be along shortly —
but even so the driving
dynamics are good
enough for you to have
some ‘plaisir’
behind the wheel...”
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You
certainly won't want for kit if you go for the Feline: included are half-Alcantara
sports style seats, one-shot electric windows, automatic dual-zone AirCon, panoramic
glass roof with power sunblind, keyless entry with Start button, tablet-style
9.7-inch multifunction touchscreen (infotainment and navigation), automatic
electric parking brake, and front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera.
You also get DAB, USB, Bluetooth, auto lights and wipes, front fogs, dark tinted
rear side and tailgate glass, powerfold heated electric door mirrors, Driver
Assistance Pack (Dynamic Cruise Control and speed limiter, Emergency Collision
Alert, and Emergency Collision Braking) plus a full set of airbags (with curtain
airbags for the front and rear windows), as well as an Electronic Stability
Programme, Hill Assist, tyre pressure monitoring, full LED headlamps (31 LEDs)
with fully integrated LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, and 18-inch
alloys.
Anything else? Oh, I don't believe I mentioned that the new 308 is the 2014
European Car of the Year. No need to bang the drum — just drive
one yourself and you'll see why the 308, like Peugeot's classy new 2008, is
a big hit with drivers. Sales have been buoyant from the off, helped by prices
starting at just £14,495.
Smartly styled with a contemporary, well-fettled cabin supplemented by a family-size
boot and versatile load area, and seasoned with a sprinkle of Gallic charm that
the French do so charmingly, this new Peugeot makes a very desirable family
hatch. Vive la 308! — MotorBar
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Peugeot 308 Feline 1.6 THP 156
| £21,750
Maximum speed: 132mph | 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds | Test Average: 43.6mpg
Power: 156bhp | Torque: 177lb ft | CO2 134g/km
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