New Peugeot GT full of character
The next-gen Peugeot 308 has arrived in New Zealand, and has driven it to see if you should hold off on that Golf purchase.
Peugeot’s latest 308, the third generation with the badge, has landed with a slew of rather tasty updates, including a lashing of the French brand’s new and brilliant design, an array of tech improvements, and new powertrains.
It’s aiming at more premium areas of the market than before, crowded areas too, so let’s see if it succeeds.
Outside
The new 308 gets Peugeot’s fantastic new looks, the front end benefiting from adaptive full-LED matrix headlights, a large grille with a horizontally cascading effect, and big slashes down either end housing the daytime running lights. It’s an angry face, but in the best way. That’s Peugeot’s new badge too, by the way.
Around the back are slim 3D taillights, a little roof spoiler, and hidden tailpipes.
The profile gets a full-length crease, linking the lights at each end, and a small character line in the lower part of the doors.
The wheelbase has grown by 55mm to boost cabin space. The overall length has grown 110mm to 4.36m, and the height is now 20mm lower, giving the new 308 a rather dynamic poise.
Inside
An evolution of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit greets you inside, complete with tiny steering wheel and 10-inch digital dash.
This press vehicle had the awesome 3D dash but the ones Peugeot actually sells doesn’t have it. It is one of the casualties of the semiconductor shortage, but still a bummer. They’re all still digital, however.
GT models also get Peugeot’s new configurable ‘‘i-Toggles’’, which are a set of customisable touchpads below the main infotainment screen. They work well and are easy to tap while moving, although they do fingerprint easily.
I like Peugeot’s interior, and the updates for the 308 have only made things better. The steering wheel takes a bit of getting used to but it works nicely with the dash sitting above the rim.
Build quality is fantastic too, and plenty of leather and Alcantara push