Review: Peugeot T9 308 Hatch (2014-on)

Review: Peugeot T9.I 308 Hatch (2014-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in October 2014, the Peugeot T9 308 was available as a five-door hatchback (the Peugeot T9 308 Touring has been reviewed separately). Manufactured at Peugeot’s Sochaux plant in France, the front-wheel drive T9 308 hatch was initially available with 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines. In 2015, however, the range was expanded with 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines. All of these engines, however, had a ‘Stop&Start function’ which enabled them to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic.

The Peugeot T9 308 hatch range initially consisted of Access, Active, Allure, Allure Premium and GT editions. In December 2016, however, the range was revised as the 150 e-THP and 205 e-THP variants were discontinued, as were the Access and Allure Premium editions.

EMP2 platform

The Peugeot T9 308 hatchback was underpinned by PSA Peugeot Citroen’s Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2). Developed for front- or all-wheel drive vehicles with transversely mounted engines, EMP2 provided for variable wheelbase lengths, ride heights and independent multi-link or torsion beam rear suspension. Relative to its PF2 predecessor, the EMP2 platform achieved a 70 kg mass reduction due to the use of very high strength steel, aluminium and magnesium alloys, and composite materials.

Dimensions

The Peugeot T9 308 hatchback was 4253 mm long, 1804 mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1457 mm tall and had a 2620 mm long wheelbase. Cargo space was 435 litres with the rear seats in position, increasing to 1274 litres when folded flat.

Suspension and steering

The T9 308 hatchback had MacPherson strut front suspension, a torsion beam rear axle and electric power steering.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Peugeot T9 308 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The 308 Allure Premium was also fitted with an emergency collision alert and braking system, and blind spot monitoring. From December 2016, the Peugeot 308 Allure was also equipped with these technologies.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Peugeot T9 308 – fitted with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine – received a five star safety rating which included a 92 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the front occupants’ heads, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection were only rated as adequate. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was assessed as marginal.

Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in 308 hatchbacks with diesel engines receiving a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.82 out of 37.

Features: Peugeot 308 Access

Standard features for the Peugeot 308 Access editions included 15-inch ‘Ambre’ steel wheels with 195/65 R15 91H tyres, a CD player, USB connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone connectivity, air conditioning, ‘Metax Mistral’ cloth seat trim, cruise control with speed limiter, LED daytime running lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, 12 volt power socket, removable luggage cover, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Features: 308 Active

The Peugeot 308 Active was further equipped with 16-inch ‘Quartz’ alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 91V tyres, a 9.7-inch colour touch screen, dual-zone climate control air conditioning (with charcoal filter), driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a ski port, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors and tyre pressure sensors.

From October 2016, the Peugeot 308 Active was equipped with satellite navigation (including Peugeot’s complimentary MapCare program) and a rear view camera as standard.

Features: 308 Allure

Beyond this, the Peugeot 308 Allure featured 17-inch ‘Rubis’ alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 91V tyres, satellite navigation, sports front seats, ‘Marston Mistral’ cloth seat trim, LED headlights, front parking sensors, power folding door mirrors, an electric parking brake, a rear 12 volt power socket and mood lighting; the e-THP variant, however, will have 16-inch ‘Topaze’ alloy wheels.

From December 2016, the 308 Allure was equipped with cruise control, half-fabric TEP interior trim, a rear view camera, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), push-button start and Peugeot’s ‘city-park’ which provided automated steering for parking manoeuvres while the driver controlled vehicle speed.

Features: 308 GT and Allure Premium

Both the Peugeot 308 GT and 308 Allure Premium were distinguished by 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 R18 92W tyres, 6.9 GB music storage, an additional USB port, Mistral and Alcantara seat trim, power adjustable front seats with massage function, push-button start and rear privacy glass. However,

• The 308 GT had ‘Diamant’ alloy wheels, red interior stitching, steering wheel gearshift paddles (for automatic models), drilled aluminium pedals and dual chrome exhaust; while,
• The 308 Allure Premium had ‘Saphire’ alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and an automated park assist function.

From December 2016, the 308 GT was fitted with a ‘Cielo’ panoramic glass sunroof.

2015 Peugeot 308 Total Package

In October 2015, thirty Peugeot 308 130 e-THP Total Package vehicles – with automatic transmissions – were released to mark twenty years of technical collaboration between Peugeot and Total Lubricants. The 308 Total Package could be identified by its 17-inch black nine-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 ZR17 Continental tyres, black centre caps and wheel nuts, blacked-out grille, front spoiler, colour-coded door mirror covers (in red, blue or black), roof spoiler and ‘Total’ badging.

Brochure

• Brochure: Peugeot T9 308 and 308 Touring (October 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Peugeot T9 308 Hatch (January 2015)

Review: Peugeot T9.II 308 Hatch (2017-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2017, the Peugeot T9.II 308 range consisted of 130 e-THP and 150 BlueHDi variants that were offered in Active and Allure editions (see table below). In August 2019, however, the Peugeot 308 GT Special Edition was released.

From the front, the Peugeot T9.II 308 could be identified by its new bonnet, ‘assertive’ vertical grille with central Lion badge and ‘PEUGEOT’ name in the upper trim, elliptical headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and front bumper with three lower grille openings. At the rear, the T9.II 308 had new ‘claw effect’ tail-lights and a new rear bumper.

Inside, Australian-delivered Peugeot T9.II 308 models had a 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen and a new infotainment system with ‘Mirror Screen’ smartphone integration (supported MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay protocols). Furthermore, the 308 Active and Allure editions introduced new seat fabrics.

Safety equipment

For the Peugeot T9.II 308 Active, standard safety equipment was extended to include ‘Driver Attention Alert’ which would warn the driver if the vehicle had been driven continuously for over two hours above 65 km/h.

While the Peugeot T9.I 308 Allure was equipped with Emergency Collision Alert and Emergency Braking System from December 2016, these technologies were not initially fitted to the T9.II 308 Allure. Upon its release, the 308 Allure was equipped with the following active safety technologies as standard –

• Active lane keeping assist: operating at speeds from 65 km/h to 180 km/h, steering wheel torque would be applied to correct the course of the vehicle if it was about the cross lane markings and the indicators had not been applied. At speeds above 80 km/h, audible and visual alerts would be issued if the vehicle was about to cross lane markings (i.e. ‘lane departure warning’);
• Active blind spot monitoring: operating at speeds from 12 km/h to 140 km/h, the driver would be warned of a vehicle in their blind spot by illumination of an LED in the door mirror on the side of the detected vehicle;
• Active driver attention alert: would use the front camera to monitor the vehicle’s position relative to lane markings. If the driver was assessed to be inattentive, audible and visual alarms would be issued (such as ‘Be careful!’ and ‘Take a break!’);
• Smartbeam Assistance: used the front camera to detect light sources so that the Peugeot 308 could automatically switch between full and dipped beams according to traffic and lighting conditions. As such, Smartbeam Assistance maximised the use of full beams for better visibility; and,
• Speed limit sign recognition and recommendation: used the camera above the windscreen to interpret road signs and displayed the corresponding speed limit on the instrument panel.

In January 2018, Peugeot’s Australian distributor announced that the Peugeot T9.II 308 Active and Allure were equipped with ‘Active Safety Brake’ as standard. If the distance to an object in front of the vehicle decreased such that there was a collision risk, Active Safety Brake would apply the brakes automatically to reduce vehicle speed. AEB could detect moving vehicles when the Peugeot 308 was driving at speeds between 5 km/h and 140 km/h, stationary vehicles from speeds of less than 80 km/h and pedestrians from speeds of less than 60 km/h.

From January 2018, the Peugeot T9.II 308 Active was also equipped with:

• Active lane keeping assist;
• Active driver attention alert;
• Smartbeam Assistance; and,
• Speed limit sign recognition and recommendation.

Features: Peugeot 308 Active Hatch

Standard features for the Peugeot T9.II 308 Active included 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, a 9.7-inch multi-function colour touchscreen, TomTom satellite navigation with 3D maps, Mirror Screen (smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and Android Auto), Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, an air conditioned glove box, ‘Meco Mistral’ cloth seat trim, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, cruise control with speed limiter, halogen headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, parking sensors (front and rear), a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, leather trimmed steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a 12 volt power socket (front centre console), front reading lights, tyre pressure monitoring, a cargo cover, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Features: Peugeot 308 Allure Hatch

Compared to the 308 Active, the Peugeot T9.II 308 Allure was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres, front sports seats, TEP/Alcantara seat upholstery, front passenger seat lumbar adjustment, full LED headlights, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power folding door mirrors, push-button start, an electric parking brake, a centre rear armrest with drink holders, a 12 volt power socket (rear) and interior mood lighting.

The Peugeot 308 Allure was also equipped with ‘City Park’ which could identify parking spaces and provide automated steering for right angle and parallel parking manoeuvres.

2019 Peugeot 308 GT Special Edition

The Peugeot 308 GT Special Edition was released in Australia in August 2019. The Peugeot 308 GT was fitted with an eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission – this enabled the Stop & Start function to operate at speeds up to 20 km/h and a ‘freewheeling’ function could select neutral at speeds above 25 km/h to reduce mechanical resistance.

Compared to other Peugeot 308 models, the 308 GT had:

• A lower ride height (by 7 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear);
• Increased spring and damper rates (by between 10 and 20 per cent);
• Increased steering weight;
• More responsive throttle mapping; and,
• Faster gear changes.

Inside, the Peugeot 308’s instrument panel could display power and torque outputs, turbo boost pressure and both longitudinal and transverse acceleration.

Australian deliveries of the Peugeot 308 GT Special Edition were limited to 140 vehicles; its recommended retail price was $39,990 (excluded on-road costs).

Specifications

• Specifications: Peugeot T9.II 308 and 308 GTi (November 2017)
• Specifications: Peugeot T9.II 308 (April 2018)