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Pug 308 updated, prices slashed

Peugeot’s significantly revised 308 range, including hatchback and coupe-cabrio styles, is now available in South Africa with rejigged specification levels – and it’s cheaper than before, too...

However, Peugeot South Africa maintains the update is more than cosmetic, with the latest interpretation of the French manufacturer’s design language and more compact, yet more efficient, engines featuring high on the list of changes.

The existing 308 Comfort 1.6 becomes the 308 Access 1.6, and the Premium 1.6 and Premium Pack 2.0 HDI are now the Active 1.6 and Active 2.0 HDI, respectively. The model designations for the sporty GTI and CC models remain unchanged.

SHORTER BUT BOLDER


The 308’s appearance has been given a mini-makeover with the changes most apparent at the front where there's a shorter bonnet with smoother headlight clusters and reshaped air intakes. The new grille has a black surround on the hatchback models but is finished in chrome on the CC. The new bumper adds large foglights across the range, while the GTi and CC derivatives have LED daytime running lights incorporated into the foglights.

Linking the front of the car with the rear is a new style line extending from the front wheel arches to the tail light clusters where a few slight changes are evident. The “308” and “Peugeot” monograms on the cars' rumps are new, as is the satin chrome beading running along the ridge of the hatchback tailgate.

The rear bumper has been adapted, too, to add a wraparound panel with black accents on the Access models and chrome for the Active versions, along with other model-specific features between the two specification levels. New wheel designs are added to the 308 range: 1.6 Access and Active models are fitted with 16”, seven-spoked alloys, the HDI turbodiesel rides on eight-spoked 17” metal and the GTi and CC get the same 18” rims, but in different finishes.

The cabin's basic layout is unchanged, although a few minor adjustments have been made to the instrument binnacle and dial faces are black with white graphics and needles, and chrome surrounds, Peugeot SA says. The GTi and CC models, though, get white dials with red needles…

CLASSY: The CC's grille gets a chrome surround while LED daytime running lights are incorporated into the foglight housing.

ENGINES

The revised 308 range has seven models with a choice of three petrol and one turbodiesel engine, and manual and automatic transmissions.

The Access and Active 1.6 models share the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder that generates 88kW at 6000rpm and 160Nm at 4250rpm. It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is quoted at 6.4 litres per 100km.

A turbocharged version of the 1.6 petrol powers the Active 1.6 Auto. Here peak outputs are 115kW at 6000rpm and 240Nm at 4000rpm. Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.4 litres/100km. The CC uses the same version of this engine, although its fuel consumption is quoted as 7.2 litres/100km for the six-speed manual and 7.7 for the six-speed auto’.

Diesel power takes the form of the Active 2.0 HDI using a common-rail, direct injection turbodiesel unit that generates 110kW at 3750rpm and 340Nm of torque at 2000rpm. According to Peugeot, fuel consumption on this model is 4.9 litres/100km.

Topping the 308 range is the 147kW GTi using a version of the turbocharged 1.6-litre unit.

As is customary for Peugeot, a comprehensive level of standard specification is offered across the range.

DUAL AIRBAGS

The entry-level Access, for example, comes with aircon, cruise control, front-loading CD player with MP3 capability and fingertip controls, power windows and external mirrors, remote-controlled central locking, height-adjustable front seats and a refrigerated cubby.

Furthermore, ABS with EBD and emergency brake assist are standard, as are dual front and side airbags.

At the other end of the scale, the CC models are the most luxuriously equipped with leather upholstery, climate control and curtain airbags as some of its additional features.

But the real kicker is that prices of all models across the range are lower than before, while a five-year or 100 000km service plan is standard on all 308s.

PRICES
308 Access 1.6 VTi 5dr - R199 000
308 Active 1.6 VTi 5dr - R219 900
308 Active 1.6 Auto 5dr - R252 000
308 Active 2.0 HDi 5dr - R259 000
308 GTi 1.6 THP 5dr - R293 300
308 CC 1.6 THP - R340 500
308 CC 1.6 THP a/t - R354 800
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