Overall, on the evidence of a first drive in eastern France, near the Swiss-German border, it competently continues a process started some years ago with the 508, 208 and, most recently, the new 2008.
The car, which will provide stiff competition for rivals like the Golf and Ford Focus, has a more sleek appearance than its predecessor, thanks to revised aerodynamic design and more balanced proportions.
It will reach showrooms here in December and come in varying specification levels and a broad range of new Peugeot petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines, with low CO2 emissions of 82g/km matched to claimed consumption of 3.1l/100km – or an impressive 90-plus mpg.
Pricing is not being announced until December but you can expect an entry level tag from about the €19,000 mark.
The engine line-up includes (all manual): 1.2 litre petrol VTi 82bhp 114g/km CO2 5-speed; 1.6 litre petrol THP 125bhp 129g/km CO2 6-speed; 1.6 litre petrol THP 155bhp 129g/km CO2 6-speed; 1.6 litre HDi diesel 92bhp 93g/km CO2 5-speed; and a 1.6 litre HDi diesel 115bhp 95g/km CO2 6-speed.
From spring 2014, new Euro 6 engines will be offered on the 308 to include derivatives of the 1.2 petrol powertrains: 1.2 litre petrol eTHP 110 bhp 5-speed and 1.2 litre petrol eTHP 130bhp 6-speed both manual, with a 1.2 litre petrol eTHP 130 bhp 6-speed automatic.
Peugeot’s BlueHDi Euro 6 engine range will include: 1.6 litre diesel 120bhp 82g/km CO2 6-sp; 2.0 litre diesel 150bhp 6-speed; with an automatic 2.0 litre diesel 150bhp 6-speed.
The new automatic gearboxes, says Peugeot, guarantee rapid gear changes and improved economy – the difference in terms of emissions of CO2, compared to a manual gearbox, is now less than 10g/km, it points out.
Peugeot expects the 308 will continue to appeal mainly to couples, young families, and empty-nesters. And the petrol v diesel breakdown is expected to be about 15pc v 85pc.
The most striking features are the reduced front and rear overhangs with the wheels now nearer the four corners while claimed improved efficiency, says Peugeot, is in large part due to weight reduction compared to its predecessor. For example, the front wings and bonnet are constructed in aluminium, while the tailgate is formed using Thermoplastic, a light and rigid composite material.
The centre of gravity of the car has been lowered by 20mm tangibly improving body stability while the reduced weight and overhangs, LED lighting clusters, compact steering wheel (like it or loathe it!), high performance tyres and brakes, coupled with customary cushy Peugeot suspension and ride, in the 1.6 e-HDi 115 hp version tested, afforded impressive and very comfortable handling.
Since 2007, over 4,000 308s have been registered in Ireland while petrol now accounts for 16pc of the segment, versus 84 per cent diesel.
The spacious interior offers up to 1412mm elbow room and a cooled glove box of 12 litres. There’s a low loading sill and generous opening (1068mm) into the 470-litre volume boot, which increases to 1309 litres when the rear seats are folded.
Inside, an innovative i-Cockpit is exceptionally quiet, well laid out with the small steering wheel enhancing driver control, according to Peugeot designers. A head-up instrument panel allows drivers access information without taking eyes off the road.
The large 9.7″ touch screen brings together centrally controls for air conditioning, driving aids, multimedia, navigation, telephone, Peugeot ‘Connect Apps’ and vehicle settings: seven buttons over two pages on the touchscreen result in a minimalist and uncluttered dashboard.Peugeot Connect Apps offer access to real-time parking, tourist, fuel price, weather and traffic information, together with service station locators.
‘Coyote’, a new application which will join Peugeot Connect Apps, ‘marries’ more than two million users in Europe. It adopts country legislation, provides a real time warning of a hazardous or risk area or any incident reported by the community. An on-board wi-fi unit will provide a wireless internet shared connection in the vehicle for up to four people.
Another comfort and safety option is a Driver Assistance Pack, incorporating three systems which use radar located at the front: dynamic cruise control, emergency collision alert and emergency collision braking system.
Blind spot monitoring is also available on level three models, while a reversing camera and park assist system will also be offered.
Peugeot expects the car not only to win new fans which it undoubtedly will, but , given the array of new petrol and diesel powertrains, to set new performance records in its class too.
