The 308 comes with a silky-smooth paddleshift which is excellent
What’s hot?
Peugeot’s new wave petrol engine works well in the 308, in this top 130 turbo form. Feels lively and there’s a good spread of power and torque. Engine copes easily in a medium hatch of this size despite modest 1198 cc capacity.
Engine nicely refined and hushed when cruising. In fact, you’re barely aware it’s a 3 cylinder at all until you rev it hard.
Actually feels faster than quoted 0-62 mph time of 10.3 secs. Big slug of low down torque (230 Nm) helps here, as does direct injection and latest turbo tech.
Combined economy of diesel-like 58.9 mpg. Compared to previous generation 308 with 1.6-litre VTi petrol engine, economy is 21% improved, Peugeot says. C02 emissions also down to 110 g/km from 159 g/km.
Want to go auto? Peugeot’s crisp new 6-speed paddleshift auto in the 308 is a dream compared to inefficient, jerky French autos of the past….
Nicely balanced handling, good grip and ride with the 308 in this Allure trim (Access, Sportium and Active grades below; GT Line and GT above).
Comfortable, practical cabin with the 308 and Peugeot’s i-cockpit design, with low steering wheel and instruments set above, while quirky, continues to be something different in the class…
What’s not?
That distinctive three cylinder ‘thrum’ when engine revs start to climb. Some won’t mind it while others might find it a turn off…however you slice it, a conventional four cylinder engine will always be smoother.
Press the Sport button and there’s no more power or speed. Instead, the instruments turn red and more (gruff) engine noise is fed through the car’s audio speakers!
This mid-range Allure spec is good for kit and drives well. But for the best dynamics, you need to upspec to the GT or GT Line grades.
Only five manual speeds if you opt for the lower grade 1.2 Pure Tech 110.
