Second-generation Peugeot 308

The Peugeot 308 was once hailed by Top Gear as one of the worst cars in the history of the world aside from the FSO Polonez, the Mahindra jeep, the Ferrari Mondial, the F50, the Lancia Ypsilon, the Alfa GTV6, the Saab with the Sensonic gearbox, and the Lexus SC430. Well, the old Lexus SC430 beats them all when Top Gear called it THE WORST CAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, but anyway, the 308 really is one of the sheer signs that Peugeot really made the worst cars for the worst drivers, except for the 208 GTi because it's a perfect car. So, what should Peugeot do with the 308? Throw away for good and replace with this...

2014 Peugeot 308

What I meant was when Peugeot asked to throw away the 308, they decided to create its replacement out of a brand new platform and utilize most of the cutting-edge technology they've invested and the result was this. The Peugeot 308, wait, what?! 308?! Well this is a brand new model but why they retained the 308 name?! Don't they think they should call it the 309 when most of the Peugeots advanced their last digit numbers in their full model changes? Well, never mind about that but the main reason was to avoid further confusions, Peugeot utilized their new naming scheme where the final digits are fixed: 8 for the mainstream range, and 1 for the models aimed at emerging countries.

That sounds convincing because this new naming scheme is bound to be one of the worst since when Acura decided that all models end with the X, Jaguar to had cars start with the X, Lincoln for the MK, Kia for the K, Citroen for the, well you get that idea but anyway, despite the same name, the brand new Peugeot 308 is starting to get even more promising than the old model but how promising is the second-generation 308?

It's Chapter 2 of the 308 saga so Peugeot celebrates it with a brand-spanking new look which appears to be so classy, it's like Karen Gillan mistaken for Bella Thorne and what's so unorthodox about the new model is the design language implied from the 508 and the 208 hatchback, the little bro of the new 308. I'm starting to like the new model's design more than the current Renault Clio or the Citroen DS4 or the Alfa Romeo Giulietta or a Ford Focus but don't get to excited because that's just the beginning.

2014 Peugeot 308 interior

The brand new interior of the brand new 308 is starting to get even more redeeming than the last one because in the last 308, it is as French as...French fries that lost its crispiness and messier than what it was. Let's just say it's a bit too oily for the old model but for the new model, it's now more aimed at today's yuppies rather than regular people, even your Ser Chief would like to drive one in his regular overalls on his leisure trip to the park or a country club or a restaurant. The best part about the new interior is the 9.7-inch touch-screen interface which is more addicting than the 208's and more importantly, the software's looking good. It now controls the climate control aside from the audio, the sat-nav, the communications, the telematics and whatever the driver needs. Yes, it's another one of the sheer signs that the new model's getting a bit sophisticated but there are some issues because the rear visibility's a bit small and the rear seats are as low as office supplies thrown underwater.

2014 Peugeot 308

The new 308 runs on a brand new platform, much like when VW used the MQB platform to their new Golf, but in here, the new EMP2 platform brings a massive 140kg drop in weight thanks to its compact dimensions and since it's lighter than the old one, the drivability of being a driver's car is worth redeemable because not only it's becoming as generous as Father Christmas, it's comfortable as well. In terms of engine choices, you can have either a 1.2L, a 1.2L turbo, a 1.6L turbo, a 1.6L diesel, or a 2.0L diesel engine but take note that the 1.6L turbo engine churns out 155PS of power while the 1.6L diesel has an impressive CO2 of 95-100g/km. That's just the tip of the iceberg because coming soon, Peugeot will inject this with a brand new BlueHDi engine with a record-breaking CO2 emissions of 82g/km, and also a hot version with 270PS of power. As for the pricing, it now costs under 17,800 Euros, making it one of the most reasonably priced hatchbacks in its class.

So for the verdict, the brand new 308 really is worth the redeemable one thanks to its range of engines, the lightweight bodywork, the ride, the comfort, and everything else that makes the new 308 stand out the crowd while there are so many issues regarding the new model as well as the naming that why it sticks to 308 rather than 309.

The new Peugeot 308, Concentree sur vos Sensations.

Available Colors: Blanc Banquise, Gris Huricane, Gris Moka, Noir Perla Nera, Gris Artense, Rouge Rubi, Gris Aluminium, Rich Oak, Dark Blue, and Blanc nacree.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen