Peugeot slashes 308 range for 2017

Peugeot has taken le hache to its 308 range, dropping nine cars from its Australian catalogue for 2017.

The entry-level Access line has been dropped completely, along with the Allure Premium, base spec GTi 250 and GT in petrol/manual guise.

As well, Peugeot has taken the opportunity to delete its Euro 5-compliant 1.6-litre petrol engine, instead relying on its Euro 6-compliant 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine as the sole petrol offering for the 308.

The 110kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel will continue to be offered in Allure, Allure Premium and GT trim.

All 308s, save for the 200kW GTI 270, will use a traditional six-speed auto. The GTi will be a six-speed manual-only offering.

It essentially sets the tone for upcoming 2008 and 3008 SUV launches.

All 308s have a reversing camera and satellite navigation as standard, while the Allure models gain blind spot monitoring, active cruise control, pre-collision braking, automatic parking and keyless entry with push-button start.

“These changes signal a change in the way we will structure our model line-up in the future, with greater emphasis on delivering vehicles that are not driven by price but offer greater value. It essentially sets the tone for upcoming 2008 and 3008 SUV launches,” said General Manager of Peugeot Australia, Kai Bruesewitz.

Launched in 2015, the 308 hatch – the best selling car in the Peugeot Australia range – languishes near the bottom of a very competitive small car sector that’s topped by juggernauts like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla.

The 308 is down 20 per cent in sales to the end of November, compared to the same period in 2015, which is a big contributor to Peugeot’s year on year downturn of 15 per cent.

The French marque is currently hamstrung by an almost complete absence of SUV products in its range, with the long-overdue mid-size 3008 – based on the same EMP2 platform as the 308, and sized to rival the Mazda CX-5 – due to hit Australia in mid-2017.

The long-serving, Mitsubishi ASX-based 4008 is the brand’s next best seller, but it’s also down year on year in sales terms. In fact, Peugeot sold just 111 cars in November, while prestige marque Porsche moved 190.

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