Peugeot released the first official details and images of its new 308 hatchback ahead of its official motor show debut in Frankfurt. The second-generation of the French family hatchback comes with a more grown up design than its predecessor and has a much more refined interior, but there is still a slight whiff of blandness about it.
The 4.25 metres hatchback, which is based on the firm’s EMP2 platform, benefits from Peugeot’s new signature styling cues including the slim floating grille, full-LED headlamps, and unique LED tail lamps that resemble three claws of a lion – an homage to Peugeot’s emblem.
The interior is heavily inspired by the 208. It gets the same cool, compact and very sporty steering wheel and instrument panel, as well as the 9.7-inch touch-screen interface, which removes much of the need for physical buttons and switches. That makes the dashboard look a bit empty, but high quality materials and nice trims around the consoles prevent it from looking boring.
As for the technicalities, the specs of the car are yet to be revealed, but that EMP2 platform not only makes the new 308 a better car to drive – thanks to its sophisticated suspension and steering systems – it also makes the car 140 kg lighter than the old model, enabling Peugeot to offer one model with CO2 emissions as low as 85g/km.
Sales of the 2014 Peugeot 308 will begin in mainland Europe in late 2013, and from January 2014 in the UK.
