New Peugeot 308 hatchback debuts with plug-in power and redesigned logo

After years of promising that Peugeot would return to the United States, the parent company Stellantis last month he announced that those the plans have been canned In favor of focusing on brands that already exist in the US And that’s a shame, because Peugeot just introduced the new 308 hatchback and it looks amazing.

While the styling isn’t a sea change, it’s an evolution of Peugeot’s already wild design language, so the new 308 certainly stands out. The huge front grille has a cool dot pattern and features the new Peugeot logo, which is a modern interpretation of the head of a roaring lion. The emblem houses the sensors for the 308’s active safety systems, and the 308 also has the new shield badge on the front fenders like a Ferrari.

Slim LED headlights are standard and have a vertical lance element that extends almost to the front splitter, cutting through the angular air intakes. The squat stance and proportions of the 308 make it look slightly rear-wheel drive (although it isn’t), and I loved the boxed fender flares, which are reminiscent of 1980s rally cars. The rear end It features a sloping hatch with an integrated spoiler, and there are super cool LED taillights, inspired by the claws of a cat. But the best part is the optional olivine green paint that you see in these photos.

The new 308 rides on an updated version of the EMP2 platform that underpinned the old car, the same platform used by other Stellantis models such as the new DS 4. It’s over 4 inches longer than the old 308 and rides on a 2-inch longer wheelbase, and it’s lower, too. There is more space for the rear seat passengers and the cargo space has also been improved. Peugeot focused on aerodynamics, with things like a steeper windshield and new wheel designs that helped achieve a lower drag coefficient of 0.28.

Inside is where the 308 really goes wild. Peugeot is trying to go more luxurious, and its latest i-Cockpit interior design is a great start. Available materials include embossed leather and Alcantara and there are some sweet contrast stitching and color options. The combination of a cluster of 10-inch 3D digital gauges and a 10-inch touchscreen control most of the functions, though there’s a cool row of customizable virtual toggle switches below the touchscreen, as well as some physical controls that include a volume knob. A new “OK, Peugeot” voice control system can also control many infotainment functions. The redesigned steering wheel contains sensors to detect driver grip when systems like adaptive cruise control are engaged, and the electronic gear selector is small and simple to maximize interior space.

The 308 is available with a gasoline or diesel powertrain, but more interesting are the plug-in hybrid options. Both PHEV options combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a 12.4 kWh battery pack, with the option of 150 horsepower with a 37-mile WLTP electric range and the most powerful 180 hp configuration with a 36 mile range. Peugeot says it takes just under two hours to charge with a 7.4 kW wall charger. Every version of the 308 is front-wheel drive, but eventually there may be a hot AWD hybrid version with around 300 horsepower.

Available features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and semi-automatic lane changes, lane keep assist, long-range blind spot monitoring, cordless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, a heated steering wheel, an elegant air filtration system and even massage seats. There is also a new smartphone app for owners that can precondition the car and schedule charging on PHEV models.

The new Peugeot 308 will go on sale later this year in Europe. It will be available to purchase completely online, and potential owners will be able to set up their 308, get a trade-in quote, and schedule a home delivery – all virtually.

The new Peugeot 308 hatchback is a sweet French plug-in hybrid

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