Facelifted Peugeot 308 hatchback on sale now from £21,310
The Peugeot 308 hatchback has been updated for 2020 with fresh interior technology and new customisation options
UK prices have been announced for the facelifted Peugeot 308 hatchback, which is available to order in the UK now with first deliveries expected to arrive before the end of the year. Prices start from £21,310 for the entry-level Active Premium model, climbing to £31,985 for the range-topping 308 GTi hot hatchback.
Peugeot’s revisions to its family hatchback are minor, stretching to some new interior technology, a new Vertigo Blue paint finish and two new alloy wheel designs, but the firm remains confident the updates will help keep the 308 competitive against newer rivals such as the latest versions of the SEAT Leon, Mk8 Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.
The revised Peugeot 308’s bodywork is identical to the outgoing model’s, but inside buyers get a new 10-inch digital instrument cluster to replace the old model’s analogue dials. The previous 308’s 9.7-inch infotainment system is also now standard across the range.
The biggest change to the 308 range is the introduction of a new trim structure. The firm has ditched its old line-up in favour of a three-tier system based on its Active, Allure and GT specifications. With the exception of the entry-level model, all three variants can also be upgraded with an optional “Premium” package, which Peugeot says will add additional equipment to fill the gaps between the models.
Standard equipment for the entry-level Peugeot 308 Active Premium includes 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically folding door mirrors, front fog lamps and rear parking sensors. Inside, buyers get dual-zone air conditioning, a 9.7-inch infotainment system and the firm’s new 10-inch digital gauge cluster.
Peugeot’s mid-range Allure model is priced from £23,280 and it features the same level of equipment as the 308 Active Premium, along with rear privacy glass, a 180-degree reversing camera, satellite navigation and front parking sensors. The Active Premium package costs an extra £750, but adds keyless go and adaptive cruise control.
The sporty Peugeot 308 GT starts from £26,630. Upgrades over the Allure Premium model include 17-inch alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension, better front brakes and LED headlamps, as well as a pair of leather-effect sports seats for the cabin.
GT Premium models command an extra £750 over the GT variant – for which buyers get 18-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara and leather seat upholstery, an active blind spot monitoring system and park assist. As an optional extra for the GT model, buyers can also select Peugeot’s “Black Pack”, which swaps the car’s chrome radiator grille, fog lamp surrounds and side window trim for gloss black replacements.
Peugeot has trimmed some engines from the 308’s line-up, with buyers now offered just three petrols and two diesels. The petrol range opens with a turbocharged 1.2-litre three- cylinder unit, with an output of either 108bhp or 128bhp. The former comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the latter can be specced with an eight-speed automatic.
The outgoing model’s 178bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel has been removed from sale, with the 308’s diesel range now consisting only of engines based on PSA’s turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit. Two outputs are available – either 99bhp or 128bhp – and both come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although an automatic is optional on the 128bhp engine.
At the top of the range sits the 308 GTi hot hatchback. It’s priced from £31,985 and features a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 259bhp and 340Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and, like the old model, it has 0–62mph time of six seconds flat and a top speed of 155mph.
The hot hatchback sits 11mm closer to the ground than the standard model and features stiffer springs and harsher dampers. There’s also a mechanical limited-slip differential and, on the front wheels, there’s a set of 380mm disc brakes with uprated calipers.
Design changes for the GTI model include 19-inch alloy wheels, an aggressive body kit, red brake calipers and a twin-exit exhaust system – while inside, buyers get a set of electrically adjustable Alcantara sports seats and a perforated leather steering wheel.
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