2014 Peugeot 308 is a dandy Focus fighter from France

Thu, 12 Sep 2013

It's easy to focus all the attention on the Peugeot 308 R Concept, thanks to its two-tone paint job and 270-horsepower engine. For the more average European, though, we have the standard Peugeot 308. The cleanly styled, five-door is Peugeot's bread-and-butter offering, competing against the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and other C-segment cars.

Being a small hatch for the European market, the 308's engine lineup shouldn't be a shock. Besides the typical range of tiny (by American standards) gas and diesel engines, the 308 range will play host to a new, 1.2-liter, three-cylinder gas engine. Representing an emerging trend of ultra-small-displacement, turbocharged gas engines, Peugeot's two offerings, pack 110 and 130 horsepower, respectively. The engines are lighter, and naturally, more efficient than a four-cylinder with similar power, while boasting 45 percent more torque.

We've got a full lineup of live images of the new 308 from the Frankfurt show, along with a huge gallery of images and a video direct from Peugeot and a press release from the 308's initial debut back in May, down below.

THE NEW PEUGEOT 308

- First official images of completely new compact family hatchback
- Stunning exterior design that builds on the new design language of Peugeot
- Radical new cockpit-style cabin features premium materials, exceptional build quality and a clean button-less interior
- Range of highly efficient petrol and diesel engines for enhanced driving
- Class-leading emissions from as low as 85g/km
- New EMP2 modular platform contributes greatly to a 140kg weight saving
- World debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September
- Peugeot has today released first images of the New 308, a car launched to revitalise the brand's position in the ultra-competitive, compact family hatchback segment.

A striking and contemporary design

"The new Peugeot 308 has a pure and technological exterior design that speaks of high strength and high quality," says Gilles Vidal, Design Director, Peugeot.

With its compact length of 4.25 metres and well-balanced proportions, the New Peugeot 308 projects a classy and sophisticated presence. The front is dominated by an evolutionary reinterpretation of the brand's 'floating' front grille, and by the strong lighting signature. Slim full-LED headlamps are standard on the majority of trim levels and a world-first in the segment. The high quality of design continues at the rear, with the three Peugeot (lion) 'claws' drawn by the rear LED lamps.

A refined and high-technology interior

"When inside the car, one discovers a world of refined style, completely original in the world of hatchback cars, with a cockpit that is intense, innovative and intuitive; it is the Peugeot i-cockpit," says Vincent Devos, New 308 Product Manager, Peugeot.

Peugeot's design and engineering teams have developed the interior of the New 308 around the concept of the i-cockpit. Everything is arranged for an experience that is intuitive, relaxing the driver to focus entirely on the road ahead. The compact steering wheel and head-up instrument layout mean that information can be clearly read easily and safely, looking over rather than through the wheel.

The highlight of the New 308's generously spaced cabin is the 9.7-inch touch-screen interface, which removes much of the need for physical buttons and switches. Setting a new size standard for the class, it brings together many of the infotainment controls in one place, for ease of use and to create a contemporary and uncluttered cabin.

Advanced new modular platform for an outstanding driving experience
"On the road, driving pleasure is enhanced by the new EMP2 modular platform. With its considerable reduction in weight, it contributes to the dynamism and easy handling of the New Peugeot 308," says Laurent Declerck, New 308 Project Director, Peugeot.

The driving experience of the New Peugeot 308 draws on the brand's expertise in suspension and steering, and takes them to a new high due to the benefits of the new EMP2 platform.

Development of this new PSA Group architecture has resulted in 116 patent applications and contributes towards the vehicle's excellent dynamic qualities. It also plays a key role in the car's considerable weight reduction, by an average of 140kg compared to the current generation Peugeot 308.

Breakthrough engineering has allowed many of the vehicle's major units to be reduced in size – also cutting overall weight – leading to significant reductions in CO2 emissions. As a result, this new Peugeot 308 establishes an environmental benchmark, with one model offering CO2 emissions as low as 85g/km.

Outstanding quality from bumper to bumper

The New Peugeot 308 is the latest evidence of the brand's move up-market. It's an initiative started several years ago and seen most recently with the 208 and 2008. The initial design brief of the New 308 had the highest levels of quality at its core. This ambition has guided the designers and engineers from the very start of the project.

Every element, both inside and outside, has been developed and refined with exceptional attention to detail. The choice of high quality interior materials and the satin chrome or gloss black detailing add to the feeling of sophistication and maturity in the car's design and assembly. The New Peugeot 308 will be built at the Sochaux plant in France. The Trémery and Douvrin sites will supply all of the power units.

The 308 story will continue...

The New Peugeot 308 will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 10th September 2013, when more information about this innovative new model will be released. Sales will start shortly afterwards in mainland Europe and from January 2014 in the UK.

By Brandon Turkus