The Peugeot 308 is about to receive a well-deserved makeover, which will retire the second generation that has been in production since 2013.
Facing some very tough competition in compact segment, the French hatch, which will also be sold as an estate, will try to steal some of the thunder of the VW Golf Mk8 while trying to be at least as good as its predecessor, which was crowned Europe’s 2014 Car of the Year.
Related: Peugeot Boss Says Traditional Sporty Cars Like The 308 GTI Will Disappear
Styling-wise, it will look more like the brand’s latest models, such as the subcompact 208 and mid-size 508. The latest prototype spotted by our spy photographers reveals a slightly bigger grille up front, slimmer headlamps and vertical LED DRLs. The model has a more arched roofline behind the B pillars that ends with a bigger spoiler, new LED taillights that are also slimmer, and a rear license plate holder that has been moved from the tailgate to the bumper.
Expected to break cover in the first half of 2021, the new 308 will be based on an updated variant of the EMP2 architecture. PSA’s modular construction will make it compatible with different powertrains, and we expect this car to feature several petrol units, as well as diesel mild-hybrids and two plug-in hybrids.
The latter are understood to combine a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with one electric motor in the most affordable variant, while the upper spec should add a second motor that will drive the rear wheels. The range-topping electrified offering might be part of the PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) brand, alongside the new 508 PSE, and could arrive with approximately 300 HP.
