What is it?

It’s the new slimline, Peugeot 308 lite.

In case you’re confused, it most definitely is not a facelift of the current model, but an all-new Peugeot 308 from the rubber up and is the first car in the marque’s history to retain the nomenclature of the model it replaces.

The new Peugeot 308 is 140kg lighter or to put that into context, two grownups just climbed out of your old 308. Half of that weight loss is directly attributable to the new chassis.

This of course triggers significant down-stream gains in economy, efficiency, agility and performance. 

The new 308 looks the business too and from a visual and aesthetic point of view, is far removed from the librarian 308 it replaces.

Sleek and uncluttered, the ‘horizontal’ design features a striking shoulder line running from the front to rear light clusters. The car is shorter, lower and wider than its predecessor, contributing to its ‘stand-back-I’m-busy’ stance.

The engine line-up at launch comprises three petrol and two diesels although in spring 2014 this will change as new tax saving engines will make their appearance.

Peugeot promised class-leading interior quality and much improved ride comfort and handling for the new 308 – and the company has not disappointed.

Inside, the new Peugeot 308 is a very pleasant place in which to pilot some serious mile-munching.

The i-Cockpit, to use Peugeot terminology, is very well laid out. The small steering wheel and raised instrument binnacle from the 208 and 2008 are repeated here, but better attention to detail has been given which should address the few previous negative reports of the innovative layout.

Frankly, I’ve never had an issue with it and have always liked it, especially the smaller steering wheel, which offers up a great, dynamic drive, repeated here in the new 308.