Tuesday 27th August 2013

Peugeot 308 R confirmed

Peugeot piques PH interest in the dull 308 by giving it 270hp and a striking paint job

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That Peugeot has been languishing in the hot hatch doldrums for quite a while now isn't news to anyone. Since the 106 and 306, various 206s, 207s and 307s have failed to live up to their predecessors or match the contemporary opposition.

A hatch with this drivetrain sounds promising

But could the 308 R change that? In a market with opposition as talented as the Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra VXR and, of course, the Renaultsport Megane 265, even very good will simply struggle to make the grade any more. But, by the spec at least, the 308 R should be a more than worthy contender.

There's 270hp from a 1.6-litre turbo, 243lb ft also, a Torsen limited-slip differential and massive 380mm Alcon front discs. But hang on, haven't we heard all this before? Of course we have, because it's exactly the same spec as found in the RCZ R coupe.

Now VW (with the Scirocco and Golf R) as well as Audi (S3 and TT S) have shown identical powertrains can be used in both hatch and coupe, but with one fundamental difference over the Peugeot pair; the hatch has a USP in being 4WD. With no mechanical changes over the coupe, does the 308 risk being rather redundant before it goes on sale?

But can it beat the all-conquering Megane?

Well it does offer some five-door practicality of course, and we do love a hot hatch in Britain. But, how to put this politely? The 308 R isn't exactly a looker in concept form whereas the RCZ really is. Peugeot may claim 'sportiness is in the genes of this radical concept car', and that may well be a borne out in its dynamics, but two-tone paint? Unless it's a genuine racing car, it will always resemble something modified by a yoof with some leftover spray cans. Or a Toyota Picnic.

But that won't be the only colour option (hopefully), and the R's exterior does have some noteworthy points. The front track is 30mm wider, the car sits 26mm lower on 19-inch rims and only the roof and bootlid are carried over from the standard 308; the wings, doors, bonnet and bumpers are carbon fibre. Impressive.

Apparently the 308 R 'appears ready to pounce' from the rear, and is clearly so scary that Peugeot can't yet release a picture. We're told there's a matt black spoiler and a pair of tailpipes lurking back there too.

Other (non-red) hot hatch options too...

We'll also have to wait until Frankfurt to see the 308 R's interior. Peugeot says its latest 'i-Cockpit' design 'promises a new kind of sensation', but sounds very familiar to the 208's controversial cabin layout. There's a steering wheel 'of compact dimensions', dials that are to be viewed over the wheel and a large touchscreen to control the infotainment.

It's an intriguing thing, the 308 R, and one that shows a lot of potential in a highly competitive market. With the RCZ R set to be over £30K, the 308 could certainly pose a threat priced somewhere beneath it (details expected to follow at Frankfurt). But in white, or grey, or blue, or anything but red and black two-tone please.

[andyr300]

Looks quite good!

[storminnorman]

What is going on? First the Astra and now this! Have mid-range manufacturers finally worked out how to make a blob look good!?

[k-ink]

All these new hatches are huge, fat, ugly family wagons. Zero interest to me. Bring back proper hot hatches: sub 900kg, kart like steering, SMALL.

[Yorkshirepud]

I like it. They've finally got rid of that awful grinning grill that's plagued the company for years.

Hopefully it won't be cheap and basic inside like they're cheaper models.

[r1ch]

Peugeot keep moving in the right direction, definitely making improvements! 308 R looks pretty good to me!

[Graebob]

Those wheels

[framerateuk]

Find me a hot hatch that will let me tow my Caterham and I'll buy it... however I fear this will have it's towing rights removed just like the ST/Megane/M135i/VXR and every other mildly entertaining car I can think of!

[C.A.R.]

Looks naff - probably why they've given it a two-tone paint job. It looks very Ibiza-ish at the front with those diagonal lines beneath the headlights, while the rest of it just looks featureless. The side profile could easily resemble that of an old Audi A3...

[Johnnytheboy]

They'll talk it up endlessly, then it'll turn out to be rubbish.

[Contigo]

I'm amazed they haven't gone bust or needed a bail out with the rate they are losing money!

[GTRene]

Peugeot 308 R Concept.

said:

De 308 R Concept is 30 millimeter breder dan de standaardauto en ligt 26 millimeter dichter boven het asfalt.

Bijzonder is dat de ingenieurs veel koolstofvezel hebben gebruikt. De in dat materiaal uitgevoerde portieren, voorschermen, zijpanelen en dorpels, motorkap en bumpers zijn bevestigd op de metalen structuur waarvan alleen het dak en de achterklep nog origineel zijn.

Onder de kap ligt dezelfde 1.6 THP als in de RCZ R. Dat betekent een vermogen van 270 pk en dus een specifiek vermogen van maar liefst 170 pk per liter. Het maximumkoppel is 330 Nm.

http://www.autoweek.nl/nieuws/24527/peugeot-308-r-concept-slaat-gti-over?kl=1175&ku=285068

[j_s14a]

What a ridiculous paint scheme.

[Mr Whippy]

Jeez.

The Megane is ugly as sin, huge and bloated, despite being capable in pure numbers terms.

Looks like Peugeot are doing the same.

Can you imagine the kind of residual performance of that!


I bet they'll sell about 5.

[struttob]

I think I must be alone in thinking that the RCZ is horrible to look at, no I'm not wife commented on one on the road the other day and she was none too complimentary either.

Bob

[thejudderman]

With the VW or Audi, your money is fairly safe. Sure it's depreciating right from the start, but a 30k 5 door Peugeot is financial suicide surely?!

[anonymous-user]

k-ink said:

All these new hatches are huge, fat, ugly family wagons. Zero interest to me. Bring back proper hot hatches: sub 900kg, kart like steering, SMALL.

Of so little interest you felt compelled to read the article, digest what it said and then take time to compose a response? Intriguing.

[aka_kerrly]

If this were a Golf GTI we would be on page 10 of VAG are overpriced boring st by now.

That Pug may well have 270hp & a LSD but who the hell at PSA thought that anyone who has £30k to blow could entertain that monstrosity.

These designs are simply terrible, as someone pointed out the awkward guppy mouth look has been reduced but the bumper is still far too much grill and not a lot of shape.

[dukebox9reg]

I have to admit I like it from dead on front but the side is a bit too plain and boring (like a golf), not sure if sold on the rear.

Still don't like the idea of a 1.6 with that much power.

[Escy]

I think it looks great (not the paint job)

[Megaflow]

I think this proves just how much of a problem Peugeot has in the UK, I wondered when they launched the 308, so I just Google'd it, 6 years ago apparently...

Excellent marketing there then!