The Peugeot 308 is about to receive a well-deserved makeover, which will retire the second generation that has been in production since 2013. Facing some very tough competition in compact segment, the French hatch, which will also be sold as an estate, will try to steal some of the thunder of the VW Golf Mk8 while trying to be at least as good as its predecessor, which was crowned Europe’s 2014 Car of the Year.
Styling-wise, it will look more like the
brand’s latest models, such as the subcompact 208 and mid-size 508. The latest
prototype spotted by our spy photographers reveals a slightly bigger grille up
front, slimmer headlamps and vertical LED DRLs. The model has a more arched
roofline behind the B pillars that ends with a bigger spoiler, new LED
taillights that are also slimmer, and a rear license plate holder that has been
moved from the tailgate to the bumper.
Expected to break cover in the first half
of 2021, the new 308 will be based on an updated variant of the EMP2 architecture.
PSA’s modular construction will make it compatible with different powertrains,
and we expect this car to feature several petrol units, as well as diesel
mild-hybrids and two plug-in hybrids.
The latter are understood to combine a
1.6-liter gasoline engine with one electric motor in the most affordable
variant, while the upper spec should add a second motor that will drive the
rear wheels. The range-topping electrified offering might be part of the PSE
(Peugeot Sport Engineered) brand, alongside the new 508 PSE, and could arrive
with approximately 300 HP.
