Peugeot launch the new 308

Sturdy, stylish, safe and sensitive to the environment: These are among the attributes of the Peugeot 308, launched last week.

Local concessionaires Michael Attard Ltd unveiled the model at their Attard showroom.

Six years after the launch of the Peugeot 307, the 308 is set to exceed the model it is replacing. Although built on the same floorplan, the 308 has a longer wheelbase at 2,608 mm on an overall length of 4,276 mm, an overall width of 2,038 and a height of 1,498 mm.

It is sturdier, with a lower centre of gravity, and offers greater safety, including in front and rear end collisions.

A spokesman for Michael Attard told The Times that Peugeot is benchmarking Audi quality with BMW synergies, while retaining French character and style with the 308.

Suffice it to say that the 308 shares two award-winning 1.6-litre engines, apart from the entry level 1.4 VTi petrol with the BMW Group, including the Mini. The 1.4 VTi Comfort Pack boasts 95 bhp and 136 Nm of torque (pulling power).

Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, ABS, power steering, CD radio, remote central locking, electric front windows and door mirrors, and driver and passenger front and side airbags for Lm9,100.

The diesel version, powered by a 1.6 HDi with 90 bhp and 215 Nm of torque, with the same standard equipment costs Lm9,700.

Both models have a five-speed manual gearbox but higher models, including the top-of-the-range 175 bhp petrol and 136 bhp diesel, have a choice of manual and automatic (four- or six-speed, with the Porsche Tiptronic system and sequential control).