VIDEO : 2011 Peugeot 308 Facelift Commercial is the Next Best Thing to a Wet T-Shirt Contest...

You can never get it wrong when casting attractive women in commercials, right? That's what the people from Peugeot must have thought when they commissioned this TV ad for the restyled Peugeot 308. The car plays a very marginal part in the commercial, with the 30-second long footage being dominated by the Peugeot's owner, an attractive young lady who walks with no umbrella in the pouring rain just to get to her beloved 308. Not the most creative of ads, but at least the people from the casting department did their job.

Read more »

Peugeot Shows the New Face of 308 Range Ahead of the Geneva Salon

At next month's Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot will unveil its refreshed 308 range that enters the 2011 model year with some subtle styling changes, revised powertrains and the introduction of a fuel efficient micro-hybrid e-HDi variant with CO2 emissions under 100g/km.

All three body styles of the Ford Focus-rivaling 308, including the hatchback, CC coupe-convertible and the SW station wagon, have been given a new face that subtly incorporates the latest stylistic codes of the Peugeot brand.

This translates to a less smiley and more compact sized front grille, reshaped LED headlamps and running lights, a new hood design and a re-sculptured front bumper. The fresh alloy wheel designs, new brand logos and some trim changes on certain models complete the exterior makeover.

Read more »

Peugeot 408 Sedan Production Begins in South America

Following on from the launch and the start of production of the new 408 sedan in China earlier this year, Peugeot announced on Monday that it has begun building the compact saloon at the PSA Peugeot Citroën Palomar factory, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Not to be confused with the larger 508, the VW Jetta-sized 408 is the sedan variant of the Peugeot 308 family which includes hatchback, station wagon and coupe-convertible body styles.

Read more »

New Peugeot 308 GTi Reaches the UK as the 308 GT THP 200

The Golf GTI-rivaling Peugeot 308 GTi has arrived in the UK badged as the 308 GT THP 200. Available only as a five-door model, the hot hatch goes on sale in Britain this month, priced at £21,995 OTR. In comparison, VW's 210HP Golf GTI with a 6-speed manual starts from £24,295 (3d) / £24,880 (5d).

Powered by Peugeot's 1.6-liter turbocharged 200-horsepower THP petrol engine mated to a six-speed gearbox, the new 308 GT THP 200 can get from 0-62mph [100km/h] in 7.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 140mph [225km/h].

Read more »

Peugeot Treats 308 Range with 'Millesim 200' Special Edition Models

After the UK market 207 hatchback and SW models, it's time for the 308 range to receive the 'Millesim 200' treatment in celebration of Peugeot's 200th anniversary.

There will be four models (two petrol, two diesel), all based on the 308 five-door S hatchback version but with additional standard specification that includes fully body colored exterior, 16-inch alloy wheels, sports front grille with chrome detailing, sports rear bumper, Peugeot Connect USB & Bluetooth and unique Millesim 200 badging.

Read more »

Peugeot Tries to Challenge Golf GTI with New 308 GTi 200HP

The GTI badge isn't dead for Peugeot after all. Despite previous reports from certain media outlets in the UK, the French firm has just launched a new 308 GTi sport hatchback model for the European market.

Available exclusively as a 5-door model (at least for the time being), the new 308 GTi gets the same 1.6-liter THP engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger found on other PSA Peugeot and Citroen and MINI products, including Peugeot's own RCZ sports coupe.

It produces an output of 200-horsepower available from 5,500 to 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 275 Nm or 202.8 lb-ft between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Read more »

Peugeot Adds Six-Speed Auto Option to 308 CC 1.6 Turbo with 156HP

About a week after the announcement on the availability of a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel with 112HP on the 308 CC, Peugeot is further expanding the UK range of its coupe-convertible model with the launch of a new model that combines the 156HP 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The new model will replace the 308 CC with the 140-horsepower strong 1.6-liter Turbo and the outdated 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The more powerful engine and the new transmission significantly improve the 308 CC's performance figures with the sprint from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) now taking 9.8 seconds instead of 12.4 seconds and the 0-1,000m in 31 seconds instead of the 140HP model's 33.5 seconds.

Similarly, the new automatic version of the hardtop convertible reaches a higher top speed of 211 km/h or 131mph, up from 204km/h or 127mph.

Despite the power increase and the improved acceleration numbers, the new 308 CC Automatic is more frugal than its predecessor returning a combined economy figure of 36.6mpg UK or 7.7 lt/100km (140HP Auto: 34.8mpg or 8.1 lt/100km).

The 308 CC THP 156HP Automatic is on sale now in the UK with prices starting from £23,595 on-the-road. Unlike the outgoing THP 140 automatic model which was only available in SE trim level, the new model is available in both SE and GT trim levels.

New Peugeot 408 Sedan Breaks Cover in China

French carmaker Peugeot took the wraps off its new China-made 408 sedan in Beijing on Monday. Despite its name, the 408 is not a successor to the European 407, which is also available in China, but a long-wheelbase (+100mm), sedan version of Peugeot's 308 range that includes three and five-door hatchback, coupe-convertible and station wagon models.

Designed and developed jointly by Peugeot's Styling teams in Europe and China, the 408 is the fruit of work by the joint venture set up between PSA Peugeot Citroen and the Chinese group DFM.

The 408 measures 4.68 meters in length, 1.81 meter in width and has a wheelbase of 2.71 meters, meaning it's roughly the same size as the 407 sedan (4.69m, 1.81m and 2.72m respectively).

At launch, the 408 sedan will be available in China with a choice of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline engines producing 106HP and 147HP respectively.

The sedan is being produced at the Wuhan plant in Hubei province in China with Peugeot expecting full-year sales target of 100,000 units.

Peugeot 308CC Hardtop Convertible gets New 1.6-Liter HDi Diesel Engine

The 308 CC is the first model in the Peugeot range to benefit from the French firm's new 1.6-liter HDi FAP turbo diesel engine that meets the requirements of the new Euro 5 emission standards.

Its maximum output is 112 horsepower at 3,600 rpm or 2HP more than the current 1.6L diesel. Peak torque is also up at 270 Nm or 199.2 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm, an increase of 12.5% over the current unit, and during overboost, 285 Nm compared to 260 Nm.

Peugeot said that between this new 1.6 litre HDi and its same displacement predecessor, more than 50 % of the parts have been entirely redesigned resulting to more power as well as noise reduction, better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

As with the its predecessor, the new 1.6 litre HDi comes as standard with a diesel particulate emission filter (FAP) with a service life of 112,000 miles.

Paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, the new diesel propels the 308CC from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in a modest 12.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 119mph or 191 km/h, while returning a combined fuel economy in the EU cycle of 53.3 mpg UK (5.3 lt/100km or 44.4 mpg US).

The new engine will be available in the 308 CC in both Sport and SE trim levels and will be known as the HDi 112. Prices start at £21,095.00 on-the-road.

Peugeot Releases Official Photos of RCZ Sports Coupe

These are the first official photos of the Peugeot RCZ sports coupe that will be unveiled for the first time to the public in its final form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Though the 2+2 seater coupe is not fully reveled in any of the photos, there's no doubt that the final production model keeps the original concept's styling right up to the double-bubble rear windshield and roof panel. The French automaker had shown the 308 RCZ concept model in 2007 at the Frankfurt motorshow.

The RCZ that will be the first model in Peugeot's range not to use the usual 'zero' or 'double-zero' numbering system is slated to enter production in Spring 2010.

Details on the engine-lineup are still sketchy but it is expected that the 'French TT' will make use of the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen co-developed, twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which will be offered with various outputs, including a version with 218HP.

We also expect to see Pug's diesel engines including the new 2.0-liter four pot with 163HP and 340Nm of torque that recently made its way in the 407 Coupe.

VIDEO: Peugeot's Funky Nude Parade Surprises Londoners

The things marketers and advertisers come up with to capture the attention of consumers, never cease to amaze us. To celebrate the launch of the new 308CC coupe-convertible in the U.K., Peugeot decided to offer Londoners a 'rude' wake-up call in the morning rush hour with a team of 308 seemingly naked people wearing only a blue scarf. However, to the dismay of many, Peugeot's commuters weren't actually naked as they were wearing specially made bodysuits mimicking the color of the human skin. Check out Peugeot's "naked" commuters in action in the video after the jump.

Read more »

Peugeot Reveals UK Pricing on 308 CC, Announces Special Edition GT100

The all-new Peugeot 308 CC will go on sale in the UK on the 1st of June with prices starting from £19,495 for the entry-level 1.6-liter VTi 120 Sport model. However, Peugeot announced that it will precede the coupe-convertible's main launch by offering a total of 100 special edition models from May. The 308 CC GT100s are exclusive to the UK and come with equipped with Peugeot's 150HP-strong 1.6-liter turbocharged engine.

Priced at £23,595, the 308 CC GT100 will be available with a choice of Nera Black or Pearl White (50 units each). On top of the GT trim, the special edition model comes equipped with the "Electric Package" that includes electric seat adjustment, 'GT100' carpet mats, 'GT100' chrome door sills and GT100 badging.

The main range of the 308 CC consists of three different trims, Sport, SE and GT. The Sport model is available with the 120HP 1.6-litre petrol and the 110HP 1.6-liter HDi diesel engines, priced at £19,495 and £20,495 respectively. The standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, black / grey Sports cloth trim, a radio-CD player with 6 speakers & audio remote control, air-condition, leather steering wheel, six-airbags and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme that includes ABS, EBFD & EBA).

The 308 CC SE model can be specified with all petrol (VTi 120HP, THP 150HP or THP 140HP with automatic gearbox) and diesel engines (HDi 110HP, HDi 140HP or HDi 136HP with automatic transmission).

Additional specification over the Sport model includes larger 17-inch alloy wheels, the Visibility Pack (automatic rain sensing front wipers, automatic headlamps and an electrochrome rear view mirror), ambient lighting, rear parking aid, cruise control with speed limiter, climate control air conditioning, alarm and an upgrade stereo. Prices for the SE start from £20,395 for the 1.6 VTi 120HP.

Finally, the range-topping GT model can be specified with the petrol THP 150HP or HDi 140HP diesel engine. Extra features over the SE include leather trim, a windstop, Airwave neck heating system, 18-inch alloys, tire pressure sensor, front and rear parking aid and Peugeot's Connect HiFi (JBL HiFi pack). Prices for the 308 CC GT are set at £23,495 for the petrol version and at £24,295 for the diesel.