Verdict on the Peugeot 308 Allure THP 130 s/s

When we met Peugeot’s new Pure Tech engine in the 308 SW a few months back, we came away impressed. Here was proof that a modern ‘small’ petrol turbo engine could work well in a medium-sized estate. With good eco numbers as back up, it thus deserved a place on any 308 company car shopping list.

That same 1.2 turbo engine in the smaller, lighter 308 hatch is the same, only different. Obviously, with less body weight to haul around, the engine has a better chance to shine. The Pure Tech engine itself is impressive: eager and free revving, with good throttle response and refinement, scoring well for torque too.

While the outgoing petrol 1.6 was decent enough, this new age Peugeot triple moves the game on in tech terms, with less weight, much improved economy and C02. That’s with the top spec 130 edition, at any rate. We haven’t tried the lower 110 version, which may or may not be quite as sparkling.

Would you have Pure Tech over one of Peugeot’s highly regarded diesels? That depends to an extent on how far you drive per year, and where. Long motorway slogs would probably still favour the diesel. Shorter journeys, with more city driving, the odds would perhaps tip towards petrol and Pure Tech.

With this independently designed and built engine, Peugeot has moved the petrol engine much closer to its 1.6 and 2.0 diesels in terms of economy and performance, and at lower unit cost.

So yes, it’s a good combination, Peugeot’s 308 with this new age 1.2-litre 130 three-cylinder engine. The Peugeot 308 Allure THP 130 makes for a solid rival for the usual suspects in the family hatchback business car sector.