Peugeot 308 THP launched, T stands for Turbo

It may look like a Golf TSI contender but the interior elegance knows no boundaries. By Jerrica Leong

There’s a new C-segment hatchback that recently arrived in town, and the Golf might start sweating, for the Peugeot 308 is here with a bang. The 308 comes to you already armed with a number of awards under its bonnet, one of which is the Car of the Year award at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2014.

Peugeot designers have redesigned the 308 from the ground up. The exterior is armed with sleek lines to personify the union of simplicity and elegance but at the same time retaining the distinctive Peugeot trademark.

Under the bonnet hides a cutting-edge AT6 with Quickshift Technology transmission hardware featuring a six-speed automatic gearbox made by Aisin. Like all cars from the continent, the 308 is set according to the Euro6 emission’s tight regulations dispensing only 150g/100km of CO2.

Amazingly, even with the low emission numbers, the multiple awards winning Turbo High Pressure engine that combine a high pressure direction injection coupled with an advance turbocharger technology still churns out 150bhp and 240Nm of torque. The 308’s engine also has a recorded fuel efficiency number of 6.5l/km.

The winning feature of the 308 is the i-Cockpit that is designed to give motorists a stunning driving experience. Peugeot’s i-Cockpit is made up of four integrated components: the sports leather compact steering wheel that gives drivers an intense dynamic sensation, a high position head-up instrument panel, a high console and a 9.7inch HD Multifunction Touchscreen for intuitive driving.

That 9.7inch HD Multifunction Touchscreen does more than just the usual Bluetooth pairing and Playlist search, when connected via cable, it also allows you to display you images from your phone on the screen. Air-conditioning controls are also found here although this had the more traditional groups of us mourning the lost of rotary controls.

Sit back and enjoy the drive on sport seats covered in Alcantara leather that is also equipped with electric lumbar and massage function. The 308 wears 18-inch Sapphire lightweight alloy wheels with arches that are slightly contoured and a widened wheelbase to distinguish the car’s compactness and to enhance stability while driving on the road.

Other than the numerous Car of the Year Awards from different countries, the 308 has also passed the Euro NCAP with flying colours in all aspects of the programme. This may be due to the abundance of Driving Assistance Pack that includes Dynamic Cruise Control, Emergency Collision Alert and Emergency Collision Braking. The availability of these systems in a C-segment car is previously unheard of, but Peugeot is looking to break the boundaries of the market with the 308!

Fork out RM132,888 (on-the-road with insurance) for the snazzy Peugeot 308 THP that will also come with you with a five year warranty with unlimited mileage including Nasim’s 24-hour Peugeot Assistance service and complimentary Peugeot Lounge access.

THP in the 308’s name, by the way, stands for Turbo High Pressure. Bet you thought it stands for Turbo Horse Power! Interested with the 308? Take a shot of your newly delivered 308 and hash tag us at #carmagmy!