The Peugeot 308 and its estate version, the SW, are unveiled with major design changes

The Peugeot 308 is one of the most important models from the French brand, something confirmed by the large number of sales achieved since its debut in 2007, with both its compact bodywork version and its SW estate version contributing. Now the Peugeot 308 receives an interesting design update, and it certainly anticipates the changes that will reach the rest of the Peugeot range.

The latest Peugeot models are characterised by a front-end design that honours its logo, the lion that has always presided over it, through daytime running lights arranged vertically at the ends of the bumper, simulating the fangs of this great feline. On the new Peugeot 308 the fangs disappear, thus eliminating that unique and distinctive design language of the French brand’s vehicles.

The fangs disappear, but Peugeot still pays homage to its logo, and for this new design of the 308 it looks to the lion’s paws. To achieve this, the Full LED or Matrix LED headlights, depending on the chosen finish, feature a new light signature with three thin vertical lines, as if they were the mark of claws, giving the 308 and 308 SW a more aggressive look. This lighting is complemented by the design of the new grille, which includes a series of luminous “threads” that serve as a continuation of the new headlights, and for the first time the Peugeot logo is illuminated.

Changing the upper part of the grille has also influenced the rest of the bumper, which continues the design of the new grille in its front section, giving it greater depth. Furthermore, removing the daytime-running-light “fangs” has also been used to modify the design at the ends of the bumper with new air intakes, which achieve better aerodynamic efficiency to improve fuel consumption in combustion engines or range in the electric version.

Taking advantage of these design changes, Peugeot has also introduced new diamond-cut alloy wheels, measuring 17 inches on the Allure finish and 18 inches for the GT and GT Exclusive finishes; although Peugeot has not forgotten the Style finish either, incorporating black-coloured aluminium wheels. Speaking of colours, the Peugeot 308 can now also be chosen in Lagoa Blue, and if we opt for the 308 SW its colour palette now also includes Ingaro Blue, a colour that is very popular on other models of the brand.

Regardless of the finish chosen (Style, Allure, GT and GT Exclusive), the Peugeot 308 and 308 SW continue to include as standard the i-Cockpit and five configurable i-Toggles for faster access to functions that can be displayed on the 10-inch screen of the infotainment system, also fitted as standard, with a display that has been altered to improve it, making it easier and more intuitive to read and use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U71BlzwAtDc

As far as mechanics are concerned, the Peugeot 308 and 308 SW will offer a single diesel option, powered by a 1,500 cc BlueHDi engine producing 130 CV linked to the EAT8 automatic gearbox, an efficient engine for long-distance driving. For petrol versions there is an MHEV powertrain of 145 CV with the electrified e-DCS6 dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a self-charging battery that provides an extra boost and helps reduce consumption to 4.7-5.0 l/100 km according to WLTP, since thanks to it, in urban areas the car can run in fully electric mode.

For those seeking cleaner mechanics, the first option is the 308 Plug-in Hybrid, with a 1,600 cc four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150 CV together with a 92 kW (125 CV) electric motor, achieving a combined output of 195 CV and linked to the 7-speed e-DCS7 dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It carries a 17.2 kWh battery that provides 20 km of additional range, resulting in a total electric-mode range of 85 km, and which, once discharged, can be recharged in 2 hours and 5 minutes (7.4 kW charger), or in 7 hours and 25 minutes using a standard domestic socket (10 A, 2.3 kW).

Second, we have the fully electric E-308 with an electric motor delivering 156 CV and 270 Nm working together with a 58.4 kWh battery. This combination allows the 308 to achieve a range of 450 km (34 km more than the outgoing model), using as standard an 11 kW three-phase charger, and at a 100 kW public charging station it allows going from 20% to 80% charge in 32 minutes.

For now we will have to wait a little to learn the equipment and prices of the new Peugeot 308 and 308 SW in Spain, although the wait will not be too long, as the brand has confirmed that they will reach dealerships from this coming autumn.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackPeugeot 30824 versions · from 31,770 €