Peugeot's popularity reignites! Following the 508 208, the new 308 debuts in April! What's amazing?

A vertical daytime running light with the motif of the lion's fangs (Saber), which has been adopted in the 508, 208, 3008, and 5008 and is becoming established as the new face of Peugeot.

It is this fang that symbolizes Peugeot's breakthrough, but of course it does not stop there. Not only the exterior design and cockpit design, but also the power train has evolved significantly. I'm sure there are many imported car fans who feel that "Peugeot is amazing these days!".

Meanwhile, pay attention to the new Peugeot 308, which will be released in April soon. Motor journalist Yasuhiro Ooto explains what kind of model the new Peugeot 308 is. Sentence / Yasuhiro Ooto Photo / Stellantis Japan, Best Car web

■ Peugeot with a modernized design that gets a lot of looks

Maybe some people feel that they have more and more opportunities to see Peugeot on the streets these days. One of the reasons is that the modern design, which has undergone drastic changes, is eye-catching, but the sales volume in recent years has also been steadily growing.

According to the JAIA announcement, the number of registered Peugeot cars in 2021 was 12,072. Ten years ago, in 2011, there were 6137 units, so it has doubled. Furthermore, although the number of registered vehicles decreased in 2012 and 2013, it has continued to grow since 2015 and has exceeded 10,000 units since 2019.

The key to the breakthrough after 2015 is the significant increase in product appeal. In addition to full-scale sales of a fully remodeled C-segment car "308" that has been upgraded to performance and content that can compete with golf, the power train of the compact hatch "208" and compact SUV "2008" gasoline cars is 308. It has been replaced with a 1.2L in-line 3-cylinder turbo and Aisin's 6-speed AT "EAT6", which has improved driving performance.

Until then, the 1.2L in-line 3-cylinder DOHC engine was powerless, and the transmission was an old-fashioned 4-speed AT, which was once replaced with a single-clutch 5-speed AMT, but both are preferable for the Japanese market. Was hard to say.

With this powertrain change, 208 and 2008 could be the subject of a legitimate evaluation. Furthermore, in 2017, along with the full model change of the "3008", two SUVs of the "5008", which were transformed from minivans, were introduced, and the approach to the popular SUV market was aggressively promoted.

As one of the measures, we have been aggressively developing clean diesel turbos, which are popular with imported car users. Diesel, which has low fuel costs and can enjoy more powerful driving, is favorably accepted only for high-octane imported cars.

The driving force behind sales in 2021 is the existence of the new "208" and the new "2008", which have undergone a full model change in 2020. In 2021, when sales began in earnest, Peugeot's top sales were 208, accounting for 28% of the total.

This is followed by 21% 2008 and 16% 3008. Electric vehicles have also been added to these, with EV "e-208" accounting for 10% of the total 208, EV "e-2008" accounting for 13% of the total 2008, and 1% of the total imported vehicles. Considering the current state of EV sales in Japan, which is said to be about the same, it can be said that it plays the role of EV entry.

In addition, the 3008 hybrid vehicle "3008 HYBRID 4" is the only 4WD vehicle on the Peugeot line, accounting for 15% of the total 3008.

In addition, the current 308, which has been active as a standard car for Peugeot, accounts for 11% of the total sales even though it is in the final stage of the model, which makes us realize the great need for C-segment cars by Japanese imported car users.

In the 2022 plan, as in 2021, 208 and 2008 will be set as sales drivers, and each will aim for around 25%. Furthermore, the strong 3008 accounts for about 15%, and the new 308 scheduled to appear this year is expected to be less than 20%. In other words, Peugeot has great expectations for the new 308.

■ The new 308 can also be electrified

The new 308, a fully remodeled model that is about to be introduced, wears the latest Peugeot design and undergoes dramatic changes. The platform is "EMP2" as it is now, but it is an evolved version and can be electrified.

As you can see from the fact that the existing EMP2 is used in a wide range of vehicle models, it is flexible, and that is reflected in the new body size. However, it should be added that at the moment, the 308 electric vehicles are only plug-in hybrids.

In the case of the hatchback model, the body size is 4367 mm in length x 1859 mm in width x 1441 mm in height. The wheelbase will be 2675mm. In the case of the SW of the wagon, the total length is 4636 mm × total width 1852 mm × total height 1442 mm, and the wheelbase is 2732 mm (* both are catalog values ​​in France), both of which will be increased in size.

The current model 308 has a hatchback with a total length of 4275 mm, a total width of 1805 mm, a total height of 1470 mm, and a wheelbase of 2620 mm. The wagon SW has a total length of 4600 mm, a total width of 1805 mm, a total height of 1475 mm, and a wheelbase of 2730 mm, so it seems that the size will be increased by one size.

Furthermore, since it is larger than its rival Golf VIII, it is good news that it not only increases its presence but also provides a comfortable interior space. However, what is worrisome is the matching between the width of the vehicle and the parking lot.

The feature of the new 308 series is that it undergoes dramatic changes not only in physical volume but also visually. As the change in body size shows, the wider and lower stance is emphasized.

The most impressive of these is the design of the front mask. It condenses the latest generation icons such as the three-dimensional and graphically designed front grille used in the latest generation, sharp day lamps reminiscent of lion's claw marks, and long LED projector headlights.

Among them, the new symbol is the newly designed Peugeot emblem.

The new emblem has already been used as a brand icon, but the new 308 will be the first to be installed in commercial vehicles. The grill decoration is designed around the emblem to create a sense of unity with the grill, so it is even more impressive.

This emblem, which is the size of an adult's palm, is not just an accent, but has a built-in millimeter-wave radar on the back, which is one of the keys to support Peugeot's advanced safe driving support function.

This idea also establishes a design in which the numbers are placed under the grill to make the larger grill stand out.

The point of wide license plates overseas is that they do not interfere with the grill and emphasize the beauty of the new design. However, it is a pity that the design that connects the grill and the bumper is hidden if it is a Japanese number.

Peugeot's "i-cockpit," which is symbolic of its futuristic digital meter and small-diameter steering wheel, is also undergoing major evolution. The on-dash information system monitor has been moved to the center of the dashboard for better visibility.

Furthermore, the meter hood and the air conditioner louver are rounded as an integrated design to create a wide feeling.

The new information system is also noteworthy, with a subpanel for shortcut keys under the main monitor. This latest information system seems to be the first system that navigation in the home country can be used in Japan.

At present, including other new models, it is compatible with the navigation system made in Japan, so it seems that the operability will be further improved. I would like to pay attention to it, including the graphics design of the navigation system.

The new AT shift lever has also been changed from a large by-wire shift lever of another model to a compact lever type that enhances space efficiency around the center console, making it neat. It will not be introduced in Japan, but MT will be prepared firmly in the home country.

There is no difference in the design, and the space is equipped with an MT shift instead of an accessory case. There are no major changes in the basic design, and all will be electric parking brake specifications. The toggle type AT lever will be adopted in the improved 2008 announced in March 2022, but the design is superior to the 308.

The next page is: ■ Set various power units