About a year ago, I
had the pleasure of having the Peugeot 308 1.2 Puretech GT line automatic on
test and not long after that, Peugeot had discontinued the line. But all is not
lost because Peugeot South Africa has re-launched the 308 with two new models;
the Peugeot 308 1.2T Allure 6-speed manual and the Allure 6-speed automatic.
There hasn’t been a
lot of changes, but the new model is identified by; a re-profiled front bumper,
bonnet and radiator grille, with the latter designed to incorporate the iconic
Peugeot Lion. To further complement the enhanced design, a new LED lighting
signature for the headlights and alloy wheel options are also available. The
contours work beautifully together with the stylish black lower bumper finisher
and 16” 'Zyrcon' alloy wheels. Sitting 10mm closer to the road at the rear and
7mm at the front, the new 308 has an imposing stance.
The latest development
in car interior architecture, the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, features across the new
Peugeot 308 range. The PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® philosophy centers around a driving
environment that puts you in control, allowing a greater connection to the
road. Elements key to this are the compact multi-function steering wheel that
gives a heightened sense of agility, a head-up instrument panel that places key
information closer to the road and the 9.7” capacitive touchscreen with
smartphone levels of responsiveness.
On the inside, the
Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech GT Line was nicely laid out and the sports style seats
trimmed in leather effect and half alcantara with red overstitch detail, added
to its premium feel. The cockpit design combines deeply recessed, highly visible
instrument dials with a large, full-colour touch-screen display, while a
multifunction steering wheel, further benefits intuitive access to key
functions and features. There’s plenty of support and adjustment to the
driver’s seat, and pedal placement is good, but shorter drivers may find that
they have to set the steering wheel lower than they might want, for a good view
of the road, a good view of the speedo and rev counter, which are viewed over
the top of the small diameter steering wheel. For rear passengers, the bench seat is
comfortable for two adults or three at a pinch; headrests are provided for all
three, and leg and head room are acceptable. It has a particularly large boot
for a hatchback, plus a 60/40-split rear bench seat that can be partly or
completely folded flat to boost cargo space.
Equipment is
comprehensive and includes, front and rear parking sensors, automatic electric
parking brake automatic wipers, front foglamps, electric windows and exterior
mirrors, electric power steering, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, cruise
control, auto dipping interior mirror, USB connection, Bluetooth and all the
multimedia functions you could want. However, not a good Idea to fiddle with
the 9.7-inch touch-screen while driving.
Peugeot 308 Allure
comes with electric folding door mirrors, front parking sensors and a 6-speed
manual transmission. On the safety front, the new Peugeot 308 has a
comprehensive array of active and passive safety features, which includes six
airbags, front and rear disc brakes, with ABS and EBD, emergency brake assist,
and ESP. The Peugeot 308 Allure is powered by the 1.2L THP 96KW Turbo-petrol
engine, mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
I’ve not had a
chance to drive this new 308 but going by the road test I wrote last year on
the Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech GT Line with the 6-speed automatic transmission,
this is the same engine as in the Allure. The 1.2-litre PureTech 130 THP
3-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine is a refined, sweet-revving and flexible
unit. It develops 96 KW at 5 500 RPM and 230 NM of torque from 1 750 RPM and
drives the front wheels through Peugeot’s six-speed automatic transmission. The
engine is quite perky. In acceleration tests, with the automatic in sport mode,
and pulling right to the 6 000 RPM red line, it did the 0-100 km dash in 10.5
seconds after two gear changes and goes on to a top speed of 207 km/h. Average
fuel consumption was given as 6.2 litres per 100 kms, but I averaged 6.9 litres/100
kms, which is still pretty good.The
tank holds 53 litres.
Driving around
town, the small steering wheel of the 308 was quick off the straight-ahead and
found it easy to thread its way through the afternoon traffic. The steering is
lightly weighted, and with the small turning circle it is so easy to park, but
as in most electric systems, there’s very little feedback.
On the freeways,
the 1.2-litre PureTech 130 THP engine has no problem keeping track with the
traffic, and even on hills, if the speed starts to drop off, the responsive
6-speed automatic will drop a gear or two, to keep up the momentum, plus the
gearbox doesn’t struggle to downshift at high revs. Cruising along at the 120
km/h limit, the motor spins at a lowish 2 500 RPM in 6th gear, there
was an absence of road or wind noise, but when the road started to twist and
turn, there is a fair bit of body roll, but it’s well controlled. The soft
suspension irons out the bumps pretty well, making for a comfortable ride for
all occupants. In fact, I found the Peugeot quite fun to drive, especially when
using the automatic in manual mode, and winding it in the corners.
The recommended
retail selling price for the Peugeot 308 Allure 6-speed manual is R334 900 and
R369 900 for the 6-speed Automatic. The recommended retail selling price for
the Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech GT Line 6-speed automatic is R371 900 which
includes a three year / 100 000 km manufacturer warranty, a three year 60 000
km service plan, and a three year / 100 000 km roadside assistance package.
Services are due every 12 months or 15 000 kms
