Peugeot 308 here by Christmas

JUST in time for Christmas, Peugeot Australia has opened the order books and announced pricing for the new 308 small car that is due for initial deliveries before the end of the year.

The four-variant range will be available from a starting price of $43,990 plus on-road costs for the 308 GT Hatch, moving up to the 308 GT Premium Hatch at $48,990 + ORC and then the 308 GT Premium Wagon at $50,490 + ORC.

At these prices, Peugeot is pitching the new 308 against premium players such as the Audi A3 Sportback (from $46,900 + ORC) but will more likely do battle with high-spec variants of popular small car offerings including the Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Subaru Impreza and VW Golf.

Peugeot has not yet disclosed exact availability, timing and pricing details of the fourth car in the new 308 line-up – the GT Sport Hatch Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV).

The first three – GT Hatch, GT Premium Hatch and GT Premium Wagon – will arrive in quarter four of 2022 and went on pre-sale this week.

Peugeot says the local arrival of the 308 GT Sport Hatch PHEV will follow in the first half of 2023, with customers now able to register their interest online and at dealerships for the electrified variant.

The new 308 is claimed to be a “truly distinct offering with a striking new design that optimises interior space while asserting the car's dynamism and identity”.

The new 308 is the first car in Peugeot’s broad range to bear the company's revised coat of arms logo, which is mounted proudly in the centre of the grille and positioned to highlight grille elements converging towards it.

Also ushers in with this model is Peugeot’s latest i-Cockpit and an advanced infotainment system that Peugeot says is intuitive, connected and modern.

Peugeot Australia managing director, Kate Gillis said: "It’s with great excitement that we can today open pre-orders for the 308. Our latest arrival brings a dynamic and stylish design, with the local model range carefully selected to provide consumers with a strong line-up."

"We are confident that the new Peugeot 308 is a distinct offering for the local market that will appeal across multiple premium segments due to the different body styles on offer as well as the compelling choice of powertrains, both internal combustion and electrified."

"Looking forward to 2023, we are particularly excited that the Peugeot 308 GT Sport Hatch Plug-In Hybrid will allow us to continue our electrification journey and enter into the electrified small car segment for the first time in Australia."

All petrol 308 variants are powered by a three cylinder, 1.2-litre turbocharged engine with a maximum 96kW of power and 230Nm of torque driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The 308 GT Sport PHEV runs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine developing 132kW in addition to an electric traction motor contributing 81kW for a combined 165kW of power and 360Nm of torque. The 308 PHEV also drives through the front wheels via an eight-speed auto.

In terms of standard equipment, the 308 GT Hatch scores a 10-inch touchscreen, full LED matrix headlights, three-dimensional LED 'claw effect' rear lights, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, keyless entry with push-button start, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, ‘Fraxx knit’ tri-material upholstery including Alcantara with 'Isabella' leather effect and 'Adamite' green topstitching, and 18-inch 'Kamakura' alloy wheels.

The 308 GT Premium Hatch and Wagon add active lane positioning assist, 360-degree cameras, Focal 10-speaker premium audio system, electric driver's seat adjustment, heated driver and front passenger seats, driver and front passenger massage seats, panoramic opening glass sunroof, black full grain Nappa leather seat trim with 'Tramontane' charcoal grey topstitching, and 18-inch 'Portland' matte black alloy wheels

2023 Peugeot 308 pricing*:

*Excludes on-road costs