Peugeot 308 2015 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.

Peugeot has adopted nation-wide drive-away pricing for its entry-level 308 Access hatch, with the previous $21,990 list price for the manual model now including on-road costs.The auto version scores a $24,690 drive-away price, adding $700 to the previous list price (which excludes on-road costs).The new pricing applies only to the 308 Access hatchback. The 308 Allure, Allure Premium, GT and all wagon variants retain their current list pricing.Peugeot's drive-away pricing comes in $1000 lower than the current deal Volkswagen is running on the 308's key rival Golf 90TSI manual.Powered by a 96kW/230Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the 308 Access hatch features LED daytime running lights, cruise control with electronic speed-limiter, Bluetooth/USB compatible stereo and 15-inch steel wheels.

Peugeot has added new range-topping GT models to the local 308 hatch line up.Available with either a petrol or diesel engine, the new 308 GTs promise more performance than the existing models, but will sit below the upcoming 308 GTI hot hatch. Priced from $41,990 in petrol guise, the GT employs a 151kW/285Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.With a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds, the GT is a full second slower than the much-loved and equally priced Volkswagen Golf GTI.   The diesel variant is $1000 more expensive at $42,990 but uses a 133kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-pot and, unlike the manual-only petrol version, comes standard with a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox with shift paddles. It's also 0.9 seconds slower from 0-100km/h. Combined fuel consumption for the petrol 308 GT is 5.6L/100km, while the diesel version sips an impressive 4.0L/100km combined. The 308 GT diesel is relatively unique in the warm hatch segment, with its nearest rival being the Skoda Octavia RS 135TDI. The Czech model manages the 0-100km/h sprint 0.1 seconds quicker, while costing $2900 less, but consuming 1.3L/100km more.Another similar alternative would be the top-spec Mazda3 XD Astina, which produces a near-dentical 129kW/420Nm, undercuts the Peugeot by $760 in automatic guise, but consumes 1.2L/100km more.Both 308 GT models get sportier suspension than standard, with spring and damper rates stiffened and a ride height lowered by 7mm at the front and 10mm at the rear.The GTs also score specific styling features including unique 18-inch alloys, dual exhaust outlets and chrome details around the front grille and window surrounds.Standard features across the GT range include, 9.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satnav, reverse camera with front parking sensors, keyless entry and start, LED headlights with daytime running lamps, active cruise control, emergency collision alert and auto brake, park assist and blind spot monitoring.The only optional extras are metallic paint ($990) and leather upholstered seats with heating in the front ($2500).Peugeot is also launching a new 110kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed auto across the 308 range this week.The new motor will be available in both hatch and Touring wagon body styles in Allure and Allure Premium trim levels for $2300 more than the existing petrol models.

Sporty new Peugeot 308 and 508 GT models to hit Australian showrooms in 2015.Peugeot has confirmed it will expand its performance-flavoured offerings in March, with the introduction of new GT variants of the 308 hatch and 508 sedan/wagon to the local market.The 308 GT will have tweaked versions of the powerplants available in the existing 308 Allure. The 150kW/285Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a 40kW/45Nm improvement, while the 131kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel delivers 31kW/30Nm more than its Allure counterpart.Both will be attached to a sports-calibrated six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with paddle shifters.The sporty hatch will also feature sharpened steering and accelerator response, amplified engine note, telemetry read-outs on the multimedia display, unique cabin trim with red instrument illumination, GT badging, and 18-inch alloys.The 308 GT will also be available in a new GT-signature 'Magnetic blue' paint colour.Driving the 508 GT will be the same 150kW/450Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel from the existing 508 2.2 HDi. It will be complimented by bi-xenon headlights, GT badging and 19-inch alloys.Peugeot Australia says the two GTs will offer a more rounded driving experience than the existing high-performance 208 GTi."The GT Line will give us the ability to offer a vehicle that offers visual and performance upgrades, while still maintaining comfort in day-to-day driving duties," said Dimitri Andreatidis, National Marking Manager for Peugeot Australia.The introduction of the 308 and 508 GTs paves the way for Peugeot to expand its GT range in the future."We will be working with France to investigate a number of opportunities to grow this segment in the future," said Andreatidis.

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.

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  

Its vice-president of international sales Bernd Schantz was on hand in Melbourne last week for the global debut of the 308 Touring, ahead of its Geneva motor show reveal.Although Schantz's focus is on big markets like Russia, China and South America, he says Australia and the Asia-Pacific rank highly.“If you look at the different regions in which Peugeot is present, very clearly the European market is in saturation phase,” he says.As a result Peugeot is looking to growth areas but “clearly the Asia-Pacific region is one of the important developments for us.”Peugeot has been in Australia for 50 years.“There's a great (synchronicity) between this market and Peugeot,” Schantz says.“Our products are well adapted to this market. The Peugeot image of stylish cars fits very well with this market."“I hope that we will sell more than 10,000 cars but I think that we should go further in the future. We have some further potential and we have to work on optimising our potential.”Schantz says it is a personal challenge to increase sales in markets like Australia.“The 308 Touring debut in Australia ahead of Geneva shows that Australia is an important market,” he says.“The next world premiere should be in Sydney, without saying too much.”He described the Melbourne debut for the vehicle as symbolic.“But it's important because a lot of motor shows want to have a world premiere and the decision to show the 308 Touring here is a good symbol,” he says.