Peugeot has released the first pictures of its crucial new 308 hatchback, the car that the PSA group hopes will move it back into contention with the Ford Focus, Opel Astra and VW Golf.
And despite middling reviews for the 308's predecessor, the 307, it still sold well, shifting more than 3-million units in its lifetime, and winning European Car Of The Year. But it was criticised for bland styling, so-so handling and poor quality.
Certainly, the new 308 couldn't be accused of being bland. It takes the basic proportions of the 307 and adds the detailing seen on the 207 to it. It's not beautiful, but it's certainly distinctive.
Inside, the news is better again, and it looks like Peugeot has been working hard to ward of criticism of its cabin quality in recent models. The surfaces all look soft-touch and expensive, and the centre console and HVAC controls all look much better integrated than on the 307.
Whatever it's like to drive, the 308 will be a landmark car for Peugeot. PSA bosses have already promised that this will be the last car they make that's heavier than its predecessor (by around 150kg model for model). All future cars will be lighter than before to the benefit of fuel consumption and emissions. Even so, Peugeot is claiming that the new 308 will be a very environmentally friendly car, which could mean that we'll get to see the production version of PSA's diesel stop-start system, which brings exceptional economy and Prius-beating emissions to the table.
The 308 will go on sale before the end of the year, with 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines, and 1.4 and 1.6 diesels.
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