The 308 is built according to the same formula, but it's longer and wider, which makes it roomier. The first version to arrive is the hatchback, which comes with two subtly different rear bumpers and two even more subtly different fronts. They can't, however, disguise the fact that visually it's just a modest evolution of the 307, as described in detail in our preview and analysis of the new car.
If it looks largely familiar and unexciting from the outside, the inside is refreshingly neat, clean, simple and, for the most part, ergonomically sound. Go for one of the two-tone options; simple black is available, but it doesn't do justice to the elegant simplicity of the cabin's styling.
There are five trim levels - Urban, S, Sport, SE and GT - and, for now, six engines. The three petrols - developed jointly with BMW - are a 95bhp 1.4-litre VTi, a 120bhp 1.6 VTi and a turbocharged version of the 1.6, the THP, which produces 150bhp. The three HDi diesel engines are 90 and 110bhp versions of the PSA group's familiar 1.6-litre unit, and the 2.0 producing 136bhp. The most powerful diesel is the only 308 with a six-speed manual gearbox; the others all have five speeds. Peugeot predicts that 60% of UK sales will be diesels.
Prices start at £12,595 for the 1.4 VTi Urban and rise to £20,045 for the 2.0-litre diesel in GT trim. When the three-door joins the range, the entry price will be £11,995 for the 1.4 VTi.
So has the change from 307 to 308 been worth it? Is the new car significantly better than the one it replaces? Yes. The 308 is engaging in a way the 307 wasn't. Like the 306, the new car is friendly, easygoing and surprisingly enjoyable, whereas the 307 left most drivers cold.
by:
channel4
2008 Peugeot 308 1.6 VTi Sport 5dr Petrol 5dr Hatchback
 | GBP 8,994.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:31:22 PST
|
2008 Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi 110 S 5dr Diesel Hatchback
 | GBP 8,799.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:33:01 PST
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2009 Peugeot 308 5Dr HAT 1.6 HDi 90 Sport Diesel Hatch
 | GBP 13,994.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:46:44 PST
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2009 Peugeot 308 1.4 VTi S 5dr Petrol 5dr Hatchback
 | GBP 9,395.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:46:47 PST
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2009 Peugeot 308 Diesel Manual 1600cc
 | GBP 10,988.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:11:32 PST
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2009 Peugeot 308 Diesel Manual 1600cc
 | GBP 10,288.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:11:32 PST
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2009 Peugeot 308 Diesel Manual 1600cc
 | GBP 11,988.00
Sale Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:11:35 PST
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