1994 Peugeot 605 Reviews

Peugeot Australia has dumped electric passenger cars for now, having removed the E-2008 from its website despite previously promising the facelift version’s arrival in 2024. While Peugeot is bringing in the E-308 electric hatch, only 14 examples of the BYD Dolphin and MG4 rival are arriving in an ‘exclusive’ program — CarsGuide understands that after those are sold, that will be the end of the E-308 in Australia. The brand has also rolled back its plug-in hybrid range in Australia, discontinuing the funky 408 plug-in hybrid in favour of a mild-hybrid version.After contacting Peugeot Australia about its electric car future, a spokesperson issued the following statement to CarsGuide.“Peugeot Australia is committed to its electrification journey. In addition to our expanding hybrid range, this includes bringing the best range of 100 per cent electric vehicles to the Australian market, as such, the E-408, E-2008 and new E-3008 form part of our consideration for future product in the local market.”The brand had also previously been vocal about its interest in the E-3008, an electric mid-size SUV that CarsGuide sampled at its global media launch in March 2024. The  E-3008 was expected to arrive in Australia’s hotly-contested electric family SUV segment to compete against the Tesla Model Y and BYD Atto 3 with 700km of WLTP driving range.CarsGuide was told the E-3008 was on schedule for the second half of this year at its launch but Peugeot importer Inchcape is now non-commital about the E-3008’s arrival. Next it was the E-208 small car facelift, scheduled to arrive in 2025. In pre-update guise the small car was already sold in New Zealand, however it has now been withdrawn from both markets despite being approved for sale in Australia via the government’s Road Vehicle Register (ROVER). Peugeot sells two electric vehicles in Australia: the E-Partner van ($59,990) and E-Expert ($79,990, both before on-road costs). One of the main barriers has been price, and Peugeot’s importer learned the importance of this when it slashed E-2008 prices by $20,000 — pretty much 30 per cent — back in May. A few days later, the remaining stock had sold out. Looking at Peugeot’s plug-in hybrids, at $67,990, before on-road costs, the discontinued 408 PHEV was a lot dearer than the BYD Sealion 6 Premium ($52,990) and close to the larger seven-seat Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed ($69,290, both before on-road costs). Only 71 new 408s have been registered in 2024. Peugeot is moving to where the industry’s big growth appears to be, introducing an all mild-hybrid 2008 range and promising the new 3008 will arrive with a hybrid system that achieves 4.9L/100km in the combined cycle to target the Toyota RAV4.Hybrid sales have jumped in 2024 and are currently 80 per cent ahead of 2024, while plug-in hybrids have doubled in popularity. Relatively, EVs are growing at a slower rate, up 16 per cent on 2023 so far.With reviews to Australian Design Rules (ADR) in progress now, it’s possible Peugeot will be able to be more nimble and adapt to changing market conditions in the near future. For Peugeot’s immediate Australian plans, the immediate future is mild and strong hybrid with 308, 408, 2008, 3008 and 5008 all getting some form of electrification. For now, more electric vehicles remain off limits. 

Peugeot has scrapped the plug-in hybrid version of its 408 GT Premium Fastback in favour of a mild-hybrid version and a more attractive entry price.With prices now commencing at $57,990 (before on-road costs) for the single-variant lineup, the new starting price represents a saving of $10,000 from the plug-in hybrid version’s starting price of $67,990 (before on-road costs).That puts the anti-SUV in the ballpark of the top-spec Skoda Octavia RS and Mazda6 Atenza, which start at $58,400 and $53,890 (before on-road costs) respectively.Dimensions for the family-friendly mild-hybrid version remain the same at 4685mm long, 2062mm wide, 1485mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2790mm.Replacing the outgoing plug-in hybrid variant’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and 81kW/320Nm electric motor is a smaller 1.2-litre unit paired to a 15.6kW/51Nm electric motor. Power is down from 165kW/360Nm to 100kW/230Nm.Fuel economy is also worse off at a claimed 4.7L/100km and emissions rise to 107g of CO2 per km, compared to the plug-in hybrid model's 1.3L/100km and 30g of CO2. It still fits comfortably under the New Vehicle Emission Standards limit of 141g/km, which is set to come into effect from January 1 next year.In terms of design, the mild-hybrid version is practically unchanged from the plug-in hybrid. It boasts the same fastback crossover design, which blends both liftback sedan and SUV styling.There’s Peugeot's distinctive gradient front grille, its ‘fang’ LED daytime running lights and its ‘claw effect’ rear tail lights, though it does get a unique diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheel design.The interior is also unchanged with the 408’s 10-inch multimedia touchscreen remaining paired to a 10-inch digital driver’s display.As before it gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless device charging, leather-accented upholstery, a 10-speaker Focal sound system, satellite navigation, push-button start and keyless entry.A panoramic sunroof, which was previously a $2000 addition on the plug-in hybrid, is now standard.Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking with low light pedestrian and cyclist detection, long range blind spot detection, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera.The 408 comes standard in Okenite White paint, while customers can opt for metallic paint in Artense Grey, Nera Black and Obsession Blue for an additional $690. Elixir Red is the only premium paint colour at an additional $1050.Peugeot offers a five-year/unlimited km warrant on the 408 GT Premium Fastback.The Peugeot 408 GT Premium Fastback has been far from a strong seller for the struggling brand in 2024, having sold just 54 units as of October 2024.In recent months Peugeot has moved to halt its electrification plans in Australia, scrapping plug-in hybrid and electric variants in favour of mild-hybrid offerings to help shore up sales.Customers can pre-order their Peugeot 408 GT Premium Fastback Hybrid today from an authorised retailer, with deliveries set to commence in Q1 of 2025.

Peugeot is joining the mild hybrid party.

Peugeot has revealed pricing and specification for its new mild-hybrid hatchback, the 308 GT Hybrid, as the brand moves to scrap petrol and plug-in hybrid variants from the range, including the 308 wagon.Just one hybrid variant of the 308 will be available across the line-up once it arrives in Australia in early 2025, with pricing for the 308 GT Hybrid set to commence at $48,990 before on-road costs.That is $5000 more expensive than its outgoing petrol equivalent but more than $10,000 cheaper than the electric E-308, which is priced at $65,990 drive-away.Once drive-away pricing is calculated for the 308 GT Hybrid, it will likely be a few thousand cheaper than its key rival, the Honda Civic e:HEV LX, which starts at $55,000 drive-away.It will pack less power than the Civic, carrying a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder hybrid engine paired to an 0.9kWh battery pack and a single electric motor that delivers 100kW/230Nm combined to the front wheels via a six-speed electric dual-clutch gearbox.The hybrid Civic, on the other hand, carries a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor and a 1.05kWh battery pack to deliver 135kW/315Nm to the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission.Both vehicles share the same fuel consumption figure of 4.2L/100km, with the Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid emitting a fraction less carbon at 95g/km compared to the Civic hybrid’s 96g/km.It’s 1.1L/km more efficient than its petrol counterpart and produces 23g/km less carbon. It’s 3.1L/100km thirstier than its plug-in hybrid counterpart, which uses just 1.3L/100km.In terms of styling, the 308 GT Hybrid shares most of its design highlights with the rest of the Peugeot 308 range, using Peugeot's distinct fang-shaped LED daytime running lights and full-LED ‘claw-effect’ 3D lighting at the rear, which sits above twin chrome exhaust tips.As standard the Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and full-matrix LED headlights, automatic rain-sensing wipers, a heated rear windscreen and wiper blade, auto highbeam function and dusk-sensing headlights.Inside, there are twin 10-inch digital screens, one for a configurable driver’s display and the other for touchscreen multimedia functions, the latter is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.It also gets a multi-function steering wheel in full-grain leather with “Adamite” green stitching, Alcantara and synthetic leather upholstery, an air purifying system, a premium Hi-Fi speaker system, wireless charging and eight-colour ambient lighting, among other features.Advanced driver assistance systems include Autonomous Emergency Braking with low light pedestrian and cyclist detection, Long-range Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and front and rear parking sensors.Customers can spend an additional $690 for several metallic paint options or $1050 for ‘Elixir Red’ paint. The 308 GT Hybrid comes standard in Obsession Blue.The Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, with interested customers encouraged to contact their local Peugeot dealer for pre-order.The outgoing 308 range has struggled on the sales charts this year, with sales down 41.7 per cent to just 140 sales to October this year as buyers increasingly favour cut-price Chinese rivals in the electrified hatchback segment, such as the MG MG4 and GWM Ora.Customers who are interested in purchasing a petrol 308 variant are encouraged to contact their local Peugeot dealer to secure one of the limited remaining vehicles.

Should this premium Pug be your Partner in trade?

Pricing for the 2025 E-308 battery electric hatchback has been announced. 

Is Peugeot in trouble? The French brand has dropped the 508 and sales are falling fast.

Peugeot has announced a major reshuffle of its local passenger car range, which will transition entirely to hybrid power in 2025.

Peugeot has confirmed further details of its seriously long range E-3008 and E-5008 electric cars. 

It didn’t take a crystal ball to foresee Citroen’s departure from the Australian car market. The French brand had struggled for years, both to find its identity and sell cars to local buyers.Ultimately, it doesn’t matter about heritage, longevity or brand recognition if you don’t sell enough cars in the relatively small Australian market. Just ask the people at Holden about that.But with Citroen meeting what felt like an inevitable demise, it’s worth turning our attention to the other brands that face a similar struggle. To be crystal clear, this article is not suggesting any of the following brands are in imminent danger of departing the local market.Instead it is simply a study of those near the bottom of the sales charts that have a chance to improve their position, or risk suffering the same endless questions Citroen executives endured over the past decade.Rather than dwelling on the negatives, we’ll look at the ways these brands could turn their fortunes around in Australia.The little Italian brand just keeps plugging away with its solo model, the 500e (and its Abarth variant) to fly the flag now the petrol-powered 500 is gone after 17 years on sale.In the first half of 2024 Fiat managed just 290 sales, which represented a nearly 30 per cent decline on the same period in 2023.On the plus side, Fiat is under the wider Stellantis banner and will gain support from that, as well as the additional 533 sales of Fiat Professional's Ducato van. The reality is, Fiat is not a volume brand in Australia, it’s a high-margin niche one focused on electric cars in a still growing EV market. As long as the brand’s management accepts that and plans accordingly it will tick along steadily.In the first half of 2024 the British brand sold just 403 cars, which is a small number — even for a luxury brand. What’s really surprising is that that figure represented a near 70 per cent increase on the the first half of last year.But there isn’t any panic or even concern within the Jaguar offices. The Big Cat is in a holding pattern at the moment as the brand tries to reinvent itself (again) as an all-electric upper-luxury brand. So there is no investment in the current product line-up, with the XE, XF and F-Type all no longer in production.When the new electric models come online in the next year or two, expect Jaguar to leap back into action, but for now, expectations have to be kept in check.The problem for Genesis is it’s no longer at the beginning of its story. The brand has been on sale as a stand-alone entity for five years and has multiple models, including three SUVs. In other words, it’s had time to find its feet and has the key models you need.So why then did sales slide backwards 18.5 per cent in the first half of 2024? None of its models are finding much traction against an expansive and diverse array of rivals from the more-established rivals such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Audi. Hyundai is used to playing the long-game, so I wouldn’t expect them to give up on Genesis anytime soon. After all, it’s taken Lexus the better part of three decades to become a thorn-in-the-side of BMW and Mercedes. Plus, Mercedes itself is struggling, taking a 24.1 per cent sales hit in the first half of this year.Genesis models have improved in quality, but the increase in price may stifle the potential for growth. It will be interesting to watch how the brand reacts and evolves in the next 12-18 months.Citroen’s French stablemate also makes this list. Selling just 1190 new vehicles in the first six months of 2024, Pegueot matched its 2023 sales result almost exactly (just four cars difference). While Peugeot does significantly better than Citroen, it’s still one of the smallest non-premium brands in the local market.It’s a shame, because it makes some very nice cars, arguably on par with competitors like Volkswagen and Mazda, but the decision to push more upmarket hasn’t helped volume.The addition of the Boxer, Expert and Partner commercial vehicles (at the expense of Citroen’s former offerings in the same segments) helps to boost the overall numbers, with the Partner the brand’s second most popular model behind the 2008.With Citroen gone, Peugeot will have one less obvious rival and can work to improve its reach, while likely remaining a niche brand. It feels a bit like we’re picking on the Stellantis Group in this story, but this is just the way the numbers have worked out. The American off-road brand should arguably be thriving in the current SUV and ute-dominated market, but the rugged Gladiator and Wrangler, as well as the more luxurious Grand Cherokee, just haven’t attracted buyers in big numbers.Only 1282 sales in the first half of the year, which represents a massive 52 per cent decline on 2023, is not a good position. Perhaps Jeep's new, all-electric and compact Avenger can help rejuvenate its sales and bring a fresh audience? That will certainly be what the brand’s local managers will be hoping for.