Thursday 16th April 2015

Peugeot 308 R Hybrid

Unexpected RS3/A45 AMG/Focus RS rival in shape of a 500hp, four-wheel drive hybrid Peugeot

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Alright, so that standfirst may be a little misleading. There probably won't be a 500hp hybrid 308 at a Peugeot dealer with a Just Add Fuel offer anytime soon, if ever. However, there could well be a 308 R - we've already seen one of those, after all - and possibly a hybrid variant of that at some point.

Coupe Franche two-tone in (un)welcome return

The 308 R Hybrid shares its powertrain with the Quartz concept seen at Paris, meaning the RCZ R's 270hp 1.6-litre turbo is used in conjunction with a pair of 115hp electric motors. It's four-wheel drive and Peugeot claims 62mph in four seconds, a limited 155mph top speed and 70g/km. Very impressive.

While we shouldn't get lost in the details of a wild concept, a few aspects are worth discussing as they point the way to both more fast Peugeots and hybrid models. The four driving modes that vary the assistance of the electric motors and how the engine is used could surely be incorporated into a production car. 'ZEV' makes priority use of the rear electric motor, Road limits outputs to 300hp and 295lb ft, Track ups that to 400hp/391lb ft and then Hot Lap takes everything from every power source for 500hp and 538lb ft.

A PH-worthy hot hatch hybrid? Go on then!

Is the R Hybrid a styling preview of a production 308 R with just a petrol engine? Perhaps. Being a Peugeot concept it has some silly two-tone paint, but it would be surprising to see a road car with tracks widened by 80mm front and rear. The 235/35R19 wheel/tyre combo is probably more likely to make production, plus a more aggressive front end like this concept. Those rear vents are for cooling batteries though so don't bank on those...

The R Hybrid has been developed by Peugeot Sport, the motorsport team behind the acclaimed 208 GTI 30th and RCZ R. Meaning if it ever does make production it'll definitely be one hybrid firmly on the PH radar.

[GTEYE]

Even the regular 308 is quite a rare sight on our roads, so I wouldn't rate the chances of this selling if they made it - which they never would anyway...