This is our first in-depth look at the all-new Peugeot 308, which we just saw being revealed at the Frankfurt motor show, where it was shown alongside the hot 308 R concept. It’s a video review by AutoExpress magazine, and after watching it, we were left with the impression that Peugeot still isn’t trying hard enough to reach the top of the class, and is still stuck in the middle of the field.
The Opel / Vauxhall Astra is expected to be the new 308’s main rival, and the car it will be stealing some sales from. It does better the GM rival in terms of looks, easily I think, with classier exterior lines, and a noticeably more modern interior layout.
However, the reviewer complained about a slight lack of space for rear seat occupants, and the tendency to roll in corners and become too easily upset by bumps and imperfections in the road.
The boot is pretty vast for this style of hatchback, and while it doesn’t challenge the saloon-like Octavia for load space and volume, it does beat the similarly-shaped Golf by around 100 liters.
Moreover, Peugeot is promising an ultra-efficient diesel model for the coming months, and that will reportedly do a claimed 91 mpg UK / 75.8 mpg US / 3.1 l/100km on the European combined cycle. A GTi model seems like a sure thing too…
By Andrei Nedelea
VIDEO