Peugeot New 308 – Broken Status Quo
Peugeot broke down
the status quo!
The New 308 is the very first model which keeps the name of the model. Traditionally
every new Peugeot model changes the name. Previous models, in this segment,
are: 309,
306, 307 and 308.
Peugeot
New 308 is an entirely new car which doesn’t have anything in common with the
previous 308 model, except the mark.
The
inspiration for the New 308 Peugeot comes from the SR1 concept which was
presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010.
The New model is based on the new Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2)
which gives minus 70 kg of the weight in comparison with the old model. Additional
27 kg are saved by using steel which is very elastic. Furthermore, the front fenders
and the hood are produced by aluminum. The producer says that they save 10 kg
using an innovative process of assembly of the car. Thanks to an optimized
design the New 308 loses another 33 kg of its weight, continues the producer
statement. Total weight reduction is 140 kg compared to the old 308 model.
The Engines...
The New 308 is the
very first model of Peugeot which is equipped with 1.2 e-THP engine with
3-cylinders and 110 or 130 hp versions. The fuel in this engine is injected
with high pressure - 200 bars in very small fine drops. The injector is placed
very close to the ignition spark in the center of the cylinder. Thus the
engineers reach compact size of the head of the cylinder. Here is a full list of the petrol engines:
3
cylinders
|
1.2
VTi
|
82
hp (61.1 kW) @5750rpm
|
118Nm@2750
rpm
|
5-speed
MT
|
1.2
e-THP
|
130
hp(96.94 kW) @5500rpm
|
230Nm@1750
rpm
|
6-speed
MT
|
|
4
cylinders
|
1.6
THP
|
125
hp(85.75kW) @3600rpm
|
300Nm@1750
rpm
|
5-speed
MT
|
1.6
THP
|
156
hp(116.33kW) @3750rpm
|
370Nm@2000
rpm;
|
6-speed
MT
|
The BlueHDi engine
is an innovative diesel engine technology in order to low the emissions. It
covers Euro 6 standard for diesel engines. Peugeot BlueHDi technology works
together with catalytic convertor, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and
particular filter (FAP). Here is the basic principle of how it works:
While
the diesel engine works it releases: unburned
hydrocarbons, carbon oxide (CO), nitrous oxides and solids. The catalytic
convertor turns unburned hydrocarbons and CO into water (H2O) and carbon
dioxide (CO2). On the second stage, SCR turns the nitrous oxides (NOx) into
water and nitrogen*, thanks to the AdBlue®**. In the third stage, the
particular filter (FAP) eliminates 99.9% of number of solids.
*Nitrogen
is the main ingredient of air – 78%.
**
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) or AdBlue® is made of 32.5% high-purity urea and
67.5% deionized water. DEF is used in SCR to lower the NOx. The AdBlue® is a
trademark controlled by German Association of the Automotive Industry in
Europe.
The
diesel engines which can be mounted into the New 308 Peugeot are:
Euro
5
|
1.6
HDI
|
92
hp (68.6 kW) @4000rpm
|
230Nm@1750
rpm
|
5-speed
MT
|
1.6
e-HDI
|
115hp(85.75
kW) @3600rpm
|
270Nm@1750
rpm
|
6-speed
MT
|
|
Euro
6
|
1.6
e-HDI TBC
|
120
hp(85.75kW) @3600rpm
|
300Nm@1750
rpm
|
5-speed
MT
|
2.0
e-HDI
|
150
hp(111.85kW) @3750rpm
|
370Nm@2000
rpm
|
6-speed
MT
|
|
2.0
e-HDI
|
150
hp(111.85kW) @3750rpm
|
370Nm@2000
rpm
|
6-speed
AT
|
MT – manual
transmission; AT – automatic transmission
The
tested engine…
I had the opportunity to test the New 308 with 1.6 e-HDI 115hp (85.75 kW) @3600rpm; 270Nm@1750 rpm; 6-speed MT. The
engine is powerful and the car is agile but I felt vibration from the diesel
engine on the steering-wheel.
Transmissions…
There are all new
6-speed transmissions AT6 III and AM6 III produced by Aisin. The new
transmissions ensure pleasure of driving with fast gear change and low fuel
consumption.
The
front suspension
of the New 308 Pug is Pseudo MacPherson. The rear suspension is deformable
cross member. The difference between MacPherson and Pseudo MacPherson
suspension is that the second type has additional lower wishbone. Thus it eliminates
the anti-roll bar and decreases the costs.
Technologies… Peugeot New 308 is
equipped with systems which help driving.
Driving Assistance Pack
(option) – it includes three functions ensured by the radar in front part of
the car:
Dynamic Cruise Control and Speed
limiter;
Emergency Collision Alert –
sound and visual warning helps the driver to stop to prevent collusion;
Emergency Collision Braking System
– this system stops the car in case that there is unpreventable collusion. It
helps to escape the impact or to make low the damages.
Blind Spot Monitoring System –
it is very helpful when you like to change the lane and there is a vehicle
which you can't see. Then you will see the warning in the respective external
mirror.
The hand (emergency) brake is
an electrical which means that there isn't wire system for activating it.
Rear view camera – it is a
color camera which is connected to the LCD touch display on the middle console
and helps the parking procedure.
Key less entry and run the engine – it is enough to
take the key with you for enter the car and run the engine.
Park Assist – this system helps
you when you need to park or just drive off from parking lot. I think that you
can get better than this system. But if you aren't so sure or you're a 'young'
driver – just use Park Assist.
There
is an app which can be connected to the car and give you an information for
mileage, fuel consumption, localization of the car and data from different
sensors on your smart phone. It will support you for the regular maintenance.
Electrical Stability Program (Bosch v.9) is
also available as standard and support you when you drive off on the slope.
Interior
The interior of the New 308 is cleaner in comparison
with the old 308. The New one has new instrumental cluster and the middle
console is simpler.
The
driver seat is very comfortable and the space isn't narrow when two people
traveling. The steering-wheel is very ergonomic and thus you have a feeling for
more control over the car. The manual gearbox stick is also comfortable and
looks very stylish. The new cluster is brand new and there is a surprise – the
rpm-meter point shows in counterclockwise position. In the very first time it
is a little bit strange but you'll get used to it very fast after the first 10
km. The new cluster is pleasing on the
eyes level. It's great but when I adjusted the seat to the driving I realized
that the steering-wheel covers a part of the cluster. This isn't good.
The
middle console is totally new. You have a LCD tablet where you can manage
everything as climate control, fan speed, radio, navigation and parameters as
fuel consumption and mileage to next gas/petrol station and more.
The backseats
There isn't a lot of leg room space in
comparison with the SW version. I think that it'll be very uncomfortable for
three passengers traveling but for two it'll be great. The back seats can be put
down which gives more storage space to the trunk. The trunk is large and there
is enough space for two suitcases and two backpacks as minimum.
The exterior of the New 308 doesn't have anything with the old
model. The very first impression became
from the new LED Headlights. Every headlight has 31 LED lamps – 10 LED for
short beam lights; 2 modules which include 4 micro-LED for high beam lights
and 13 LED lamps for turn lights.
The
front hood is a new and looks very cool. There is a new front grill and in the
middle is the 'Peugeot' inscription. There are a lot of chrome elements which
gives sport shine to the New 308. The turn indicators and the fog light are
placed in very low position – I think that this isn't so visible.
The side view! I'm so happy that the engineers removed
the small windows from previous 308 on the front doors to the back doors to the
new model. Now, the windows are
surrounded with chrome elements and it's a very cool. The side mirrors are huge
and gives to the driver large visibility. The back doors are also huge which
can mislead us about the size of the backspace – it's
narrow.
The back view! We can see that everything is a well
forgotten old. I'm talking about the tail lights. They are inspirited from the
Peugeot 504 coupe from 1968 and need remind of to the traces
of abrasion from a big cat – probably lion. The tail lights are also LED.
However, back side looks more than great and there isn't anything unnecessary.
The S-Line! It includes: the door mirror covers, S-line badge,
center wheel caps, 16” and 17” alloy wheels, rear view mirror cover, gear knob,
S-line carpet mats and backlit door sill protectors.
Unfortunately,
S-line is an optical version. I expected it to be something more sporty with
more powerful engine /like Peugeot 306 S16 or GTI6 versions/ but it isn’t.
The Peugeot offered decorative elements on the car. It is kind of “I think that
I’m driving a sport car” but actually you aren't. More valuable will be if the
car is equipped with the most powerful petrol/diesel engine and the S-line is
additional to it. After a few years the 'S-line' will keep a little bit high
the price of the car when you need to change the car.
The
New 308 Peugeot earns full five-stars on Euro
NCAP crash-tests. The results of the crash-test are 92% safety for
adult occupant, 79% for child occupant; 64% for pedestrian and 81% for safety
assist.
Dimensions:
Length: 4253 mm / 167.4 in
Height: 1440 mm / 57.36 in
Width (with mirrors): 1804 mm (2043 mm) / 71.02 in
(80.43 in)
Front wheel-base: 1559 mm / 61.34 in
Wheel-base: 2595 mm / 102 in
Rear wheel-base: 1553 mm / 61.14 in.
Let’s summarize...
The
Peugeot New 308 isn't just a car. It is very hot car because of the new design.
The interior is well based for the driver and the passenger next to him. But on
the backseat the space is a little bit narrow for more than two people. The New
308 has new instrument cluster where the rpm-meter shows the rpm-s of the motor
in counterclockwise position. The middle console is very simple and there is a
LCD touch display. From this display you can control anything, form climate
control, to the navigation and radio and etc. There are four petrol and four
diesel engines with power from 82 to 156 hp. The new here is the BlueHDi diesel
engine which covers the Euro 6 standard. The automatic transmission is also
available. This model has enough systems which help the driver from ESP
as standard to Emergency Collision Alert, Emergency Collision Braking
System, Blind Spot Monitoring System, Rear view camera, Park Assist. The
Peugeot offers a lot of trims, exterior colors and additional equipment. The
rims range start from steel 15” up to alloy 18”. Unfortunately, the S-line is
an decorative version and there isn't more powerful engine. The New 308 earns
full five-stars on Euro NCAP crash-tests. And last but not least the Peugeot
New 308 is the Car of The Year for 2014.
