By 
PEUGEOT has taken the wraps off the all-new 308 hatchback, which keeps the numerical designation of its predecessor.
Peugeot’s latest design language dominates the car, while an entirely new chassis and innovative production techniques have shed around 140kg from the existing 308 with the aim of increasing agility and efficiency.
According to Peugeot’s current claims, one 308 model will be capable of returning just 85g/km of CO2, making it extremely tax-friendly both now and for likely future tax band adjustments.
The striking exterior is mirrored by the “i-cockpit” interior, which features dark, sleek and stylish shapes and an unusual instrument configuration. Behind a thick, sporty and relatively small steering wheel the speedometer and rev counter rotate in opposite directions.
“When inside the car, one discovers a world of refined style, completely original in the world of hatchback cars, with a cockpit that is intense, innovative and intuitive; it is the Peugeot i-cockpit,” Vincent Devos, New 308 Product Manager at Peugeot is quoted as saying.
Equally stylish is the 9.7-inch touch-screen interface, which works as an extremely neat interface to allow control of everything from sat-nav to air movements. It leaves the cabin extremely clean and uncluttered.
The car sits on Peugeot-Citroen’s forthcoming modular EMP2 platform, which is both lightweight and flexible enough to form the basis of many future mid-size models.
It will be 4.25 metres long, and will boast as much technology as Peugeot can throw at it. Full-LED headlights will be standard on most of the trim levels, eclipsing the Seat Leon on which the technology is optional.
The 308 is pencilled in for its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before going on sale in early 2014.
