Peugeot 308 Active

You could hear the jaws drop in our office when the newest Peugeot 308 scooped the European Car of the Year gong in May. The previous one was way off the pace: rubbish autos, ridiculous pricing, soporific styling. So what just happened?

With our COTY winning Golf squarely in Peugeot’s crosshairs, it’s no surprise that both cars followed similar development trajectories, from an all new lightweight platform to an obsessive drive for quality.

The latter is immediately evident from the new 308’s design inside and out, even though the dashboard embodies the company’s controversial low wheel/high instruments/easy reach driving position, with most minor functions relegated to an easily accessible touchscreen.

The interior feels natural and logical, supported by impressive build quality and interesting trim and material applications. There’s a sense of harmony in the chic look and feel absent from earlier Peugeots. The instrumentation is especially classy at night. The comfy, roomy and refined interior should appeal to Golf buyers tired of VW’s design timidity. In this instance, French flair lives on.

Fans of the German car who appreciate its torquey turbo charged punch might find other similarities beneath the 308’s taut skin, thanks to a volley of all new downsized, direct injection turbo petrol engines (with idle-stop tech), teamed with modern diesels and performance options topping the range.

Smallest of the lot is the ‘Puretech’ 96 kW/230 Nm 1.2 litre three cylinder turbo petrol, available with six-speed manual or six speed auto in entry level Access, and auto only in higher spec Active and Allure.

The Euro 6 rated turbo triple is a muscular yet cultured little belter that pulls energetically from low speeds, and can maintain the pace in much the same way as VW’s TSI equivalent, thanks to exceptional flexibility and a smooth, responsive and lag-free auto (a better choice than the slightly notchy manual).

Plus, shedding 140kg yields a driving experience quite alien to current 308 owners. Though not razor sharp in either response or feedback, the Pug’s steering is informative and well weighted, so it feels just as natural barrelling along a derestricted European motorway at 150km/h as it does winding through a mountain pass. This Peugeot is at last at the pointy end of the driving spectrum.

However, while the revamped torsion-beam rear is supple and quiet on smoother roads, bigger bumps are both felt and heard.In March, we’ll get a 1.6 litre four cylinder turbo petrol in either 110 kW/240 Nm (Allure and Allure Premium) or rorty 151 kW/285 Nm (GT petrol) forms.

A pair of Euro 6-compliant ‘Blue HDi’ turbo-diesel fours 110 kW/370 Nm 1.6 litre Allure and (from March) 133 kW/400 Nm 2.0 litre GT will also be available.

The smaller one, paired with the six-speed auto, is a cultivated yet quick performer, accelerating strongly even when laden with three adults plus luggage.

After years of mediocrity, at last there’s a small Peugeot kicking arse as a driving machine, unencumbered by the misguided pricing that has been its Achilles’ heel for far too long in Australia.

The base Access manual’s $21,990 is within $500 of an equivalent Golf, and it’s right on par if we’re talking autos a stark contrast to the preceding 308. Finally, the Golf has a serious European foe. That Euro COTY victory is no longer so vexing.

Engine - 1199cc 3cyl, dohc, 12v, turbo
Max power - 96kW @ 5500rpm
Max torque - 230Nm @ 1750rpm
Transmission - 6-speed automatic
Weight - 1150kg
0-100km/h - 9.6sec (claimed)
Economy - 5.1L/100km (EU)
Price - $27,340
On sale - Now