2021 Peugeot 308 Unveiled With New Looks, Advanced Tech, And Two Plug-In Hybrids

[Deckard Cain]

2021 Peugeot 308 Unveiled With New Looks, Advanced Tech, And Two Plug-In Hybrids | Carscoops

Underpinning the 2021 Peugeot 308 is the automaker's latest EMP2 platform

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Underpinning the car is the third-generation of Stellantis’s EMP2 platform that has seen the 308’s wheelbase grow by 55 mm. In redesigning the car, Peugeot has also dropped its height by 20 mm to create a sleeker silhouette. Found at the front is the all-new roaring lion’s head logo of the brand.

The interior of the car has the brand’s familiar i-Cockpit design and includes a 10-inch digital instrument cluster that actually has a 3D feature on GT models. Also found within is a 10-inch infotainment screen, fully-configurable i-toggles positioned next to the central screen, and redesigned air vents.

Peugeot’s new i-Connect infotainment software package lands with the 308 and allows for eight different driver profiles and offers a wireless screen mirroring function.

Peugeot will sell the 2021 308 with two plug-in hybrid options. The base model is the Hybrid 180 e-EAT8 variant that combines a 150 hp engine with an 81 kW electric motor and offering 37 miles of all-electric range. The flagship hybrid model is the Hybrid 225 e-EAT8 that pairs a 180 hp with the same 81 kW motor and delivers 36 miles of electric range. Both variants use a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. The 308 will also be offered with a 1.2-liter PureTech 130 petrol engine and a 1.5-liter BlueHDi 130 diesel engine.

 

[TripleT]

it is the hideous ..... the front clip is just horrible, every bit of it. Please Please keep that as far away from former FCA brands as possible.

The interior nearly offensive, it looks like something cobbled together from people in the 80s imagining the future.

Absolutely accept that styling is subjective, but there are some things so bad it transcends subjectivity. This stomach wrenchingly bad.

 

[Mopar Bill]

Chrysler needs this car now ! Just put a new grille on it with the Firefly engine.

 

[Mopar392]

Front fascia and interior are subjective.
The general design is fresh, I think.

Take this and put on Chrysler's front fascia and interior.

 

[patfromigh]

Change the front fenders and grill. It's what Saturn and Buick did for their Opel sourced and very similar hatches.


On a more serious note, some of the front drive based, FCA originated, products could use the e-EAT 8 hybrid transaxle. I think the people in Auburn Hills should look into it. They should have Aisin sales office phone number in their Rollodex somewhere, because they use an Aisin automatic in the HD Rams.

 

[TripleT]

Front fascia and interior are subjective.
The general design is fresh, I think.

Take this and put on Chrysler's front fascia and interior.

Fresh? It a poor version of the Asian hard crease theme. One can only hope the lazy way PSA creates diversity that another model will have a better interior as Chrysler doesn't warrant on it own.

Sorry this is just ugly... Yeah Yeah subjective..... Like Aztec sometimes ugly is transcendent.

 

[Deckard Cain]

Fresh? It a poor version of the Asian hard crease theme. One can only hope the lazy way PSA creates diversity that another model will have a better interior as Chrysler doesn't warrant on it own.

Sorry this is just ugly... Yeah Yeah subjective..... Like Aztec sometimes ugly is transcendent.

Buick were just Opel rebadges for a long time. IMO, they would come full circle if they made Chrysler rebadges of Opel.
I think when the new Astra is revealed you will like it a lot more and that would make a nice Chrysler.
Opel has more traditional interior features like:
- Buttons!!
- Normal steering wheel!!
- Instrument panel in-between the wheel and not above!!
However, this is a compact hatch. I don't see this ever being sold in the US. Maybe if they made a sedan. But even so, a midsize sedan would make more sense (and even that I don't think it would be profitable).

I don't know why Stellantis management thinks that Peugeot is the best competitor against VW. It still has too much french weirdness in many elements (but less than Citroen).
IMO, that role should be left for Opel/Vauxhall.

 

[UN4GTBL]

I like the exterior *ducks*

I could do without the Cadillac style vertical LED strips in the bumper IMO.

The interior design reminds me of the Civic, and not in a good way, so agreed that the design inside is a bt funky.

 

[TripleT]

308 is small for the continent

 

[patfromigh]

If I was to pick one vehicle to badge engineer and import for Chrysler, it would be the Tipo station wagon. During the rebadging process it would receive the modifications necessary to give a taller stance like the Subaru Outback. Fiat did this with the smaller Palio to create the Adventure wagon.

See---> Fiat Palio Adventure 2020 - FIAT México

 

[Bili]

Side is almost the same which is not strange because of the same platform and of course design language.

Rear is the best side of the car.

Front is strange and gives a feeling that front overhang is longer than it is although it's not short at all.

Rear bumper is strange and similar to 2008.
I don't know why are they doing it.


Interior is always disaster for usability.

 

[Deckard Cain]

I like the exterior *ducks*

I could do without the Cadillac style vertical LED strips in the bumper IMO.

The interior design reminds me of the Civic, and not in a good way, so agreed that the design inside is a bt funky.

The vertical LEDs at the front are supposed to evoke a feline's fangs since their symbol is a lion.
The interior is a usability nightmare. You either adapt to use things their way, or you're going to have a bad time. You either love it or hate it. But that can build loyalty, and you have countless examples like this not only in the auto-industry but also in other industries (ex. Tesla and Apple).
Opel has much better interiors in terms of usability.

 

[pumadog]

As already written elsewere: I like the general shape and proportions, but the exterior is way too busy. The front with all the fake air vents and massive DRLs, the heavy creases at the sides. The rear is okay. Apart from that I prefer buttons over touch panels – there are too much sharp edges and rectangles in the interior. Somehow the 20x is nicer than the 30x in every generation.

But I'm sure I'll like the Astra much more, with a cleaner design. Hopefully still sporty and nice and not too conservative.

 

[Deckard Cain]

Somehow the 20x is nicer than the 30x in every generation.

This has always been the case since the 206 in the 90s. I still love the design of that car. It's timeless, and still looks modern today.

 

[Deckard Cain]

New versus old side profile. C-pillar seems a bit thinner in new one, which is good. And shark-fin radio antenna.

 

[TripleT]

Having been a frequent traveler to the EU and spending time with both FCA and PSA car.... That one would look at this and say we need this here, while discounting the new Tipo Cross.... is funny to me. Trust me people in NA you would be much more pleased with the Tipo than this ugly duckling that seems to want to be a Kia.

 

[Deckard Cain]

It's really nice to see someone from that side of the pond with that opinion.
You guys don't have your view of both brands tarnished by marketing/prejudice/bias so your opinion on both is more impartial. The Peugeot brand in the last few years is kind of a media darling.

 

[TripleT]

honestly, Deckard, I always had the impression that the EU buyer was very particular about the driving experience, dynamics, and interior function. This of course was driven by what was offered and how it was equipped in NA... BMW, Merc, Audi.... VW really the bottom.

But I begin to travel and experience the work-a-day models. Frankly... disappointing. Especially .... I am just going to say it French models. Nothing what I expected. Very much a driving appliance, of course quirky in elements but that itself does not bring value to a car. The interior appointment and quality.... really I find internal china cars like Geely better.

Now the TIpo, I did not find this.... Not quite to standard but not far off like I felt in French cars. I could visualize how it would be welcomed in NA.

So when I see "BRING THAT MODEL HERE" posts, I shake my head and wonder if they really know what is being asked.

Just sayin.

 

[Bili]

honestly, Deckard, I always had the impression that the EU buyer was very particular about the driving experience, dynamics, and interior function.

Something has changed in the last decade, or half decade.

Not to mention that PSA, better said ex-PSA, wasn't about driver's cars since 205 GTI which was more than 30 years ago.
PSA is French as it gets. It's about unspectacular mechanics, about gentle cars, about chic car, it's all about French design.

I don't know how to describe it in a better way.

Renault was more of a driver's cars in the last couple of decades with their RS models, with sharper steering set-up in general, with firmer suspension in general...
No wonder that Renault was recently a far better seller in Germany than Peugeot.

But FCA has chosen their partner and we have what we have. Of course for Agnelli family Renault with an eye on Nissan was more desirable partner than PSA.

 

[Bili]

PSA factories looks ancient:


Giulia's factory is so much modern and clean: