Peugeot 308 2013 News

Manufacturers including Hyundai, Holden, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen and Audi have all issued safety recalls for various models, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of national safety recalls, with models from Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Citroen, Ram and Aston Martin affected.

The Australasian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced another set of national safety recalls, with models from Mazda, Tesla, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Citroen impacted.

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Hot hatches are in high demand, and they include everything from warm hatchbacks with sporty details to boiling hot turbocharged terrors.

The upcoming Peugeot 308 sedan is planned to give the French maker a big lift in the mid-sized ruck.It could even get a 408 badge, says Carparazzi, before its unveiling next year - most likely at the Geneva motor show in March. 

French automaker Peugeot is launching a new generation of its 308 hatchback at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, and to help build excitement will also roll out this performance-oriented concept version. Dubbed the 308 R, the concept hints at a hotted-up Peugeot 308 that if built would target the likes of the Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST. The 308 R concept is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which rates at 200kW and is found in the Peugeot RCZ R sports coupe, which also debuts in Frankfurt next month. Peak torque registers at 329Nm and is available from a low 1,900 rpm. Drive is channelled to the front wheels, via a six-speed manual transmission and a Torsen differential. The wheels are 19-inch light allows wrapped with 235/35 tires, and inside them sits four-piston brake calipers and Alcon discs. The concept gets a number of unique body panels, which are made out of carbon fibre and bolted directly to the regular 308’s lightweight platform. That platform is Peugeot’s new EMP2 modular set, which is also found in the latest Citroën C4 Picasso and is said to be around 135kg lighter than the platform in the previous 308. But to further improve dynamics, the 308 R also sports lowered suspension and a wide track--up to 30mm wider at the front. At the rear, there is a discreet roof spoiler and a bumper with an integrated diffuser. Also integrated with the rear bumper is a pair of square-shaped exhaust tips. Inside, there’s a driver-focused cockpit with a big 9.7-inch touch-screen display mounted in the dash. Peugeot explains that the dash was designed so that the displays can be viewed over and not through, helping to reduce driver distractions. Sales of the new Peugeot 308 commence in Europe after the car’s Frankfurt debut. Hopefully, we’ll see a production version of the 308 R in the not too distant future. www.motorauthority.com  

Peugeot has dialled back the quirky design to bring the new 308 -- the French carmaker’s VW Golf rival – more in line with the recent 208 and 2008. Arriving some time in 2014, the all-new 308 promises weight savings of up to 140kg -- largely due to the use of PSA Peugeot Citroen’s new EMP2 modular platform, which will eventually underpin half the group’s products.The new small hatch is slightly shorter than the model it replaces (4.25m vs 4.28m), while other dimensions will be revealed at the 308’s public debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.The design is much more conservative than the outgoing model, and the earlier 307 and 308 models’ front quarter windows have been dropped, in favour of a more conventional six-window body design. Up front, an evolution of Peugeot’s floating grille is flanked by full-LED headlights on most variants – a world first for the small segment.At the rear, the 308 sports an evolution of the 4008, 208, and 2008’s ‘Peugeot lion claw’ drawn taillight design. “The new Peugeot 308 has a pure and technological exterior design that speaks of high strength and high quality,” Peugeot Design Director Gilles Vidal said.The 308’s new interior design features an emphasis on material quality and the button count has been reduced through the use of a 9.7 inch touchscreen interface. Designed according to Peugeot’s ‘i-cockpit’ philosphy, the interior has been laid out to favour the driver, promoting a focus on the road ahead.“When inside the car, one discovers a world of refined style, completely original in the world of hatchback cars, with a cockpit that is intense, innovative and intuitive; it is the Peugeot i-cockpit,” 308 Product Manager Vincent Devos said.Drivetrain options will continue to include a range of petrol and diesels, producing emissions as low as 85g/km (European cycle). Local options are yet to be finalised, but the new 308’s lower weight is expected to bring significant efficiency gains across the board.An enhanced driving experience is also expected, with the new platform’s lighter weight being aided by revisions to steering and suspension geometry.“On the road, driving pleasure is enhanced by the new EMP2 modular platform. With its considerable reduction in weight, it contributes to the dynamism and easy handling of the New Peugeot 308,” 308 Project Director Laurent Declerck said. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

...expected to go public at the Frankfurt motor show in September.Carparazzi says the newcomer is both wider and longer than the car it will replace, starting as a five-door hatch.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover