Peugeot: We tested its new on -board technologies, a good return in force

Technical sheet of LED infotainment system, do you want it these are the rest of the pricing recipient characteristics to the product sheet

The Peugeot 308 is one of the French bestsellers.It returns to a fully redesigned generation, with a new info-divisional system and rechargeable hybrid engines.We tested its panoply of technologies during its international launch.

The Peugeot 308 is an integral part of the national automotive landscape and it was still in the top 10 best -selling models in France last year, despite much more recent competition than this model at the end of their careers.If design question and presentation it did not have to be ashamed, its on -board interface dated seriously and its range of engine was from another time, giving pride of place to diesel.

In this fall 2021, Peugeot renews its compact family sedan with a brand new generation that welcomes rechargeable hybrid engines with open arms, while waiting for a 100 % electric version.Everything is accompanied by interfaces that benefit from a big facelift.

Technical sheet

A redesigned info-deciver system

Good news, a fully redesigned info-directing generation takes place aboard the New 308, named I-Connect Advanced.This is worth studying it closely: with a few differences (overlay and ergonomics), it is she who will equip the future models of Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and others.

Also in the fold of the giant Stellantis, Fiat had recently taken the turn of the Android Automotive operating system: the future will say what will happen to this choice for the popular brand of the group.Because the 308 system is owner, configurable and may undergo developments with OTA updates (remotely).

The central screen of 10 inches of standard offers sufficient definition and beautiful light.He is reactive and clearly clear in his approach, but it will be necessary to take time to understand all the possibilities of personalization offered, and there are many.At first, we tend to get lost in its menus, bushy and not always clear.

The main reception screens can be converted as you wish by Widgets, according to the same principle as the home screen of a smartphone.So we can group its most logical and ergonomic features group.It is easy and convincing for use, once you have taken the time to define things as you wish.Eight different profiles can be defined, it is spoiled for choice!

It is possible to sweep the different menus from left to right, from top to bottom (for notifications) or, by means of 3 fingers support, bring up the wall of applications.On the top of the screen, a permanent banner displays external temperature information, air conditioning, the position in widget pages, connectivity data, notifications and time.

But there is better: from the second level of finish named Allure, the i-Toggles are there!It is a second central screen also customizable which displays (very) large very readable keys for direct access to functions like its favorite radio, the call number of its half, navigation to the house,Its favorite air conditioning setting ... This is a bit like the Touch Bar of MacBook Pro.

The first of these virtual keys remains in all cases the home top home page of the upper screen.It just lacks a haptic return to perfect the user experience.Under this banner, a line of physical keys continues alongside the volume button of the sound system, with direct access to vehicle settings, air conditioning, defrosting/rapid desemburation, air recycling.A single order remains physical, in any event: that of distress fires.Finally, an air quality indicator in the passenger compartment is available.

Optional wireless recharge is located at the foot of the console: half a bias which lets the possibility of seeing notifications without actually seeing the full screen ... In addition, the smartphone heats up too much during the load, a recurring concern unfortunately.Android Auto and Apple Carplay are standard throughout the range.A natural voice command is part, activated by means of a key or the vocal command "OK Peugeot" (we saw more original ...).On -board documentation and tutorials can also be requested.

In front of the driver, the 10-inch digital instrumentation also in the I-Cockpit offers a conventional entry-level or more spectacular 3D display (as on the 208) from the GT level.Different display configurations are possible of your choice, but in any case, readability is not a strong point here.Definition and contrast are average, while the sum of the cumulative information and the rim of the steering wheel which appears in many driving positions bother the total vision of the screen.These are not ideal conditions.

General LED lights

LED claws claiming the brand's visual signature of the brand are very pronounced.They are available from the first level of finish in a more basic definition than that of our high -end GT version.The spotlights also employ LEDs, in lifespan 10 to 15 times greater than that of classic halogens.

Their lesser consumption contributes a little to contain CO2 emissions, because the consumption of electric accessories influences the consumption of petrol or diesel, requiring more efforts from the alternator that produces electricity on board.On an electric version, the influence is naturally direct on the use of the battery, even if it remains very marginal.

Here, the crosslings are made up of four LEDs, while the highway lights (the full headlights) are high -end thanks to a matrix module of 20 points, turned on or extinct individually so as not to dazzle the other users, thatwe follow them or meet them.These are spotted using a camera at the top of the windshield.So can we always ride (from 50 km/h) with the maximum possible lighting power and therefore with better visibility at night.

The system also automatically detects the type of driving situation, in town, on the road or on the highway (with an angle of + 0.4 % to increase the range), adjusting the beam depending on.Features that have existed for years but which have the merit of becoming more and more democratic.The rear lights are also with LED, which allows you to play on their appearance and give them a more sophisticated appearance, in this case with three fine 3D lines.

Design, driving, autonomy and power

The new Peugeot 308 gains little in habitability and comfort with, on high -end models in GT Pack, certified seats of the German label AGR, which is interested in the effects of postures and their consequences on the health of the back.Their massage system is pleasant and effective, but the rather muscular feeling it offers will not appeal to everyone.

The trunk of a given volume for 361 liters in rechargeable hybrid version is sufficient (412 liters for other engines).The reason for this difference is logically the presence of the battery under its floor.In station wagon, the 308 offers a large volume of 548 liters in PHEV and even 608 liters for the other versions: an XXL luggage trunk.

The third generation 308 is built on a new evolution of the EMP2 platform, capable of offering a rechargeable hybrid motorization (180 and 225 hp) and, by 2023, a 100 % electric model.She shares this base with her cousins DS4 and Opel Astra.The rechargeable hybrid version has a single -phase charger of 3.7 kW, or 7.4 kW optional at 400 euros.

To go further electric cars: what are the types of compatible sockets?

Same principle for the charging cable, standard in 2, 8A, 1.8 kW mode, optional (150 euros) in 16A and 3.7 kW for a reinforced domestic socket.The small battery is a capacity of 12.4 kWh.With the basic 3.7 kW charger, it takes 7 hours to completely recharge it on a domestic outlet 8A and 3:50 with a reinforced 16A socket.With the 7.4 kW on -board charger, 1h55 is enough with a Wallbox 32A.

In hybrid 180 e-eat8, it finds an excellent balance between very sufficient performance and driving softness.In hybrid mode (default at start -up), the system seeks to maximize use in all electric: success in urban use, provided you keep a conduct concentrated on the economy of course, the eye on the Power indicator/eco/load on the dashboard.

Anyway, whitening this car will not give sporting sensations, this is not the idea, even if the 180 cumulated 180 hp would not have drawn up on the technical sheet of an average sportsman of a few years ago.The permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is 81 kW strong.

Three driving modes are offered (electric, hybrid or sport) but these are the first two that you will most likely use.An e-save function makes it possible to save enough battery capacity to cover 10, 20 km or as much as possible, with a view to crossing a city for example.

In 100 % electric operation, blue light is displayed in the interior mirror, signaling the rolling in zero emission mode outside.In this way, we managed to maintain light on for 46 km in a hilly mixed course (for 60 km officially), with consumption under 20 kWh/100 km.

Price of the Peugeot 308 (2021)

Sold from 36,800 euros, the hybrid 180 e-eat8 version makes its ecological virtues pay at high prices: 8,600 euros more than the PureTech 130 Eat8 version, certainly less powerful, but which starts at 28,200 euros… Four levelsfinish spread until reaching 41,400 euros in our test GT version.There, it will be necessary to add 1,900 euros to be entitled to the 225 hp version, also available in GT Pack at 44,900 euros, at the top of the range.This is very expensive for a compact Peugeot!

To go further ecological bonus 2022: everything you need to know before buying an electric car

The standard equipment is quite generous from the entry level Active Pack, with elements such as automatic braking in town, bizone air conditioning, hands -free starting, automatic reading of traffic signs to display the current speed limitations, the regulator/speed limiter.You have to go up to the pak 39,400 euros in PHEV (180 hp) to find as standard induction recharge, reversing camera or adaptive cruise control and new monitoring of dead angles with long -range angles.

Photo credit: Peugeot/Nicolas Valeano