Scoop: Peugeot Continues Trialing 301 Test Mules

These new spy pictures show a test mule of the Peugeot 308 compact hatchback's replacement being tested in Europe. While the exterior panels of the prototype are from the current 308, underneath it’s a different story as it rides on a new platform with wider front and rear tracks that's shared with the Citroen C4 and DS4 models.

The French firm's new model will likely be named 301, as Peugeot would like to skip the 309 moniker that was used on its 1980s compact hatch.

Like the smaller 208, Peugeot's Golf rival is expected to be both more compact in length and lighter than the model it replaces with obvious benefits in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Read more »

Scoop: Peugeot Mule-Testing 308's Replacement, which will Likely be Named 301

Peugeot usually designs beautiful cars. The mid-1980's 309 wasn’t one of them, perhaps because it was originally meant to replace the Chrysler/Simca/Talbot Horizon – until Peugeot axed the Talbot brand, and thus the 309 was born.

Almost no one really missed it when it was replaced in 1993 by the much more coherent 306 (though the 309 continued to be built in India until the late 1990s).

And the reason why we're telling you all this is because the 308's replacement, a test mule of which is featured in these scoops, will most likely be named 301, a moniker last used in the 1930s, to avoid any connection with the unloved 309.

Read more »

Peugeot Launches New 308 Sedan in China [47 Photos]

French carmaker Peugeot has released its third new model into the Chinese market in the last eighteen months, the 308 compact sedan, which made its debut at the at the Chengdu Motor Show in mid-September this year.

Manufactured locally in cooperation with Peugeot's Chinese partner Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the new 308 Sedan joins the carmaker's extended offerings in the C-segment that also include the 307 and 408 saloons.

Peugeot said that with the new launch, it intends to strengthen its presence within the very competitive category, with a full year sales target of 60,000 units.

Read more »

Video: Le Gendarme de Paris…

When Sergeant Ludovic Cruchot (played by the great Louis de Funès) and the rest of the protagonists of the Le gendarme film series terrorized the French roads with their crazy antics and car chases, it was extremely fun to watch.

But something tells us that the pedestrians seen in this clip, which was shot in a crowded district of Paris, France, were far less than amused with the police man behind the steering wheel of this Peugeot 308 307. Follow the jump to see why.

Read more »

Peugeot Creates Interactive Print Ad with an Inflatable Mini Airbag for the 408 Sedan

This past February, Peugeot launched the four-door sedan variant of its 308 series in the Brazilian market as the new 408. In one of its first advertising campaigns for the car, the French carmaker wanted to communicate the compact-sized model’s safety features, namely the availability of six airbags with eight protection points.

Peugeot turned to the creative people of the Sao Paulo-based advertising agency Loducca who came up with an interactive print ad for the 408. The company used a supplier from China to create 50,000 mini airbags, which were then inserted in one of Brazil’s most reputable business magazines, the Exame.

Read more »

VIDEO : 2011 Peugeot 308 Facelift Commercial is the Next Best Thing to a Wet T-Shirt Contest...

You can never get it wrong when casting attractive women in commercials, right? That's what the people from Peugeot must have thought when they commissioned this TV ad for the restyled Peugeot 308. The car plays a very marginal part in the commercial, with the 30-second long footage being dominated by the Peugeot's owner, an attractive young lady who walks with no umbrella in the pouring rain just to get to her beloved 308. Not the most creative of ads, but at least the people from the casting department did their job.

Read more »

Peugeot Shows the New Face of 308 Range Ahead of the Geneva Salon

At next month's Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot will unveil its refreshed 308 range that enters the 2011 model year with some subtle styling changes, revised powertrains and the introduction of a fuel efficient micro-hybrid e-HDi variant with CO2 emissions under 100g/km.

All three body styles of the Ford Focus-rivaling 308, including the hatchback, CC coupe-convertible and the SW station wagon, have been given a new face that subtly incorporates the latest stylistic codes of the Peugeot brand.

This translates to a less smiley and more compact sized front grille, reshaped LED headlamps and running lights, a new hood design and a re-sculptured front bumper. The fresh alloy wheel designs, new brand logos and some trim changes on certain models complete the exterior makeover.

Read more »

Peugeot 408 Sedan Production Begins in South America

Following on from the launch and the start of production of the new 408 sedan in China earlier this year, Peugeot announced on Monday that it has begun building the compact saloon at the PSA Peugeot Citroën Palomar factory, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Not to be confused with the larger 508, the VW Jetta-sized 408 is the sedan variant of the Peugeot 308 family which includes hatchback, station wagon and coupe-convertible body styles.

Read more »

New Peugeot 308 GTi Reaches the UK as the 308 GT THP 200

The Golf GTI-rivaling Peugeot 308 GTi has arrived in the UK badged as the 308 GT THP 200. Available only as a five-door model, the hot hatch goes on sale in Britain this month, priced at £21,995 OTR. In comparison, VW's 210HP Golf GTI with a 6-speed manual starts from £24,295 (3d) / £24,880 (5d).

Powered by Peugeot's 1.6-liter turbocharged 200-horsepower THP petrol engine mated to a six-speed gearbox, the new 308 GT THP 200 can get from 0-62mph [100km/h] in 7.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 140mph [225km/h].

Read more »

Peugeot Treats 308 Range with 'Millesim 200' Special Edition Models

After the UK market 207 hatchback and SW models, it's time for the 308 range to receive the 'Millesim 200' treatment in celebration of Peugeot's 200th anniversary.

There will be four models (two petrol, two diesel), all based on the 308 five-door S hatchback version but with additional standard specification that includes fully body colored exterior, 16-inch alloy wheels, sports front grille with chrome detailing, sports rear bumper, Peugeot Connect USB & Bluetooth and unique Millesim 200 badging.

Read more »

Peugeot Tries to Challenge Golf GTI with New 308 GTi 200HP

The GTI badge isn't dead for Peugeot after all. Despite previous reports from certain media outlets in the UK, the French firm has just launched a new 308 GTi sport hatchback model for the European market.

Available exclusively as a 5-door model (at least for the time being), the new 308 GTi gets the same 1.6-liter THP engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger found on other PSA Peugeot and Citroen and MINI products, including Peugeot's own RCZ sports coupe.

It produces an output of 200-horsepower available from 5,500 to 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 275 Nm or 202.8 lb-ft between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Read more »

Peugeot Adds Six-Speed Auto Option to 308 CC 1.6 Turbo with 156HP

About a week after the announcement on the availability of a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel with 112HP on the 308 CC, Peugeot is further expanding the UK range of its coupe-convertible model with the launch of a new model that combines the 156HP 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The new model will replace the 308 CC with the 140-horsepower strong 1.6-liter Turbo and the outdated 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The more powerful engine and the new transmission significantly improve the 308 CC's performance figures with the sprint from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) now taking 9.8 seconds instead of 12.4 seconds and the 0-1,000m in 31 seconds instead of the 140HP model's 33.5 seconds.

Similarly, the new automatic version of the hardtop convertible reaches a higher top speed of 211 km/h or 131mph, up from 204km/h or 127mph.

Despite the power increase and the improved acceleration numbers, the new 308 CC Automatic is more frugal than its predecessor returning a combined economy figure of 36.6mpg UK or 7.7 lt/100km (140HP Auto: 34.8mpg or 8.1 lt/100km).

The 308 CC THP 156HP Automatic is on sale now in the UK with prices starting from £23,595 on-the-road. Unlike the outgoing THP 140 automatic model which was only available in SE trim level, the new model is available in both SE and GT trim levels.

New Peugeot 408 Sedan Breaks Cover in China

French carmaker Peugeot took the wraps off its new China-made 408 sedan in Beijing on Monday. Despite its name, the 408 is not a successor to the European 407, which is also available in China, but a long-wheelbase (+100mm), sedan version of Peugeot's 308 range that includes three and five-door hatchback, coupe-convertible and station wagon models.

Designed and developed jointly by Peugeot's Styling teams in Europe and China, the 408 is the fruit of work by the joint venture set up between PSA Peugeot Citroen and the Chinese group DFM.

The 408 measures 4.68 meters in length, 1.81 meter in width and has a wheelbase of 2.71 meters, meaning it's roughly the same size as the 407 sedan (4.69m, 1.81m and 2.72m respectively).

At launch, the 408 sedan will be available in China with a choice of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline engines producing 106HP and 147HP respectively.

The sedan is being produced at the Wuhan plant in Hubei province in China with Peugeot expecting full-year sales target of 100,000 units.

Peugeot 308CC Hardtop Convertible gets New 1.6-Liter HDi Diesel Engine

The 308 CC is the first model in the Peugeot range to benefit from the French firm's new 1.6-liter HDi FAP turbo diesel engine that meets the requirements of the new Euro 5 emission standards.

Its maximum output is 112 horsepower at 3,600 rpm or 2HP more than the current 1.6L diesel. Peak torque is also up at 270 Nm or 199.2 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm, an increase of 12.5% over the current unit, and during overboost, 285 Nm compared to 260 Nm.

Peugeot said that between this new 1.6 litre HDi and its same displacement predecessor, more than 50 % of the parts have been entirely redesigned resulting to more power as well as noise reduction, better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

As with the its predecessor, the new 1.6 litre HDi comes as standard with a diesel particulate emission filter (FAP) with a service life of 112,000 miles.

Paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, the new diesel propels the 308CC from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in a modest 12.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 119mph or 191 km/h, while returning a combined fuel economy in the EU cycle of 53.3 mpg UK (5.3 lt/100km or 44.4 mpg US).

The new engine will be available in the 308 CC in both Sport and SE trim levels and will be known as the HDi 112. Prices start at £21,095.00 on-the-road.

Peugeot 308 RC Z Coupe: French TT Spied Ahead of Frankfurt Show Debut

Remember Peugeot's funky-looking 308 RC Z concept from the 2007 Frankfurt motor show? Well, the French carmaker is putting the final touches to the production version of the Audi TT-rivaling 2+2 coupe that is slated to make its world premiere at this year's Frankfurt show in mid-September and will then go on sale throughout Europe in the spring of 2010. Our spy photographers have captured evidence that with the exception of a few details like the design of the rear apron, the production model's looks remain all but identical to the concept.

Much to our surprise, this also includes the 308 RC Z concept's double-bubble rear screen and roof panel, albeit less curvaliscious. Overall, and even though the RC Z retains some of the family traits of the Peugeot 308 range like the huge, sweptback headlights and the xtra-large front grille, the 2+2 coupe has a distinct character all of its own.

Sure some will find traces of the original Audi TT, maybe even of the 1990's Audi Avus Concept with its toned wheel arches and the forward-cabin design, but few will disagree that the 308 RC Z is one of the most interesting concept designs to pass into production.

As with the concept car, the 308 RC Z's fascia panel will be taken directly from the 308 hatchback, though expect to see a sportier trim with more chrome details and higher quality leather surfaces to create a more upmarket impression (the pictures of the interior are from the concept car).

Underneath the fancy-pansy metal and glass work, the RC Z is more or less a 308. However, changes are expected to include wider tracks and a reworked suspension and steering system as well as beefier brakes to further improve the coupe's handling.

The concept version of the RC Z was motivated by the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen co-developed, twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that cranked out 218 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Derivatives of the same powerplant are found under the hood of various Peugeot, Citroen and of course, MINI models.

It is certain that the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot will make its way in the production version of the RC Z, where it will be offered with various outputs. Other options are said to include a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 120HP as well as a range of turbo diesels.