Peugeot has entrusted L’argus with the prototype steering wheel of its new generation of 308 SW, invoiced from € 25,800. The changes compared to the previous version are notable and might not appeal to purists of the French brand. But not all settings are complete …
[Mis à jour le 13/07/2021] Getting behind the wheel of a prototype is always a special moment. While a lot of the settings are in line with what the production vehicle will be, there are still a few things to tweak. Today’s taxiing mission concerns the new 308 SW, whose presentation has just taken place. In order to measure the evolution compared to the previous generation, Peugeot entrusted to Argus the steering wheel of a 308 II station wagon. And to get an idea of the road feel so specific to the products of the French brand, a Seat Leon is also there. On the Alsace balloon routes, not far from the Mulhouse plant (Haut-Rhin), where the new 308 joins the Peugeot 508 and DS 7 Crossback on the production lines, this test run promises to be very pleasant.
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The new Peugeot 308 SW in figures
The camouflage is imposing and leaves nothing to sweat from the surprises concocted by the Peugeot designers on the rear part. This station wagon is larger than the older generation and is 4.64 m in length, for a similar wheelbase of 2.73 m. This is 5.5 cm longer than that of the new generation 308 Sedan. Under the hood, the station wagon has the same engine proposals as the new sedan: two petrol (110 and 130 hp), a diesel (130 hp) and two rechargeable hybrids (180 and 225 hp), whose electromotors are powered by a battery. with a capacity of 12.4 kWh. The automatic transmission is optional on the 130 hp versions. No 100% electric grinding is planned on this station wagon, despite the fact that
the sedan will be able to receive its own during 2023. On the day’s program, Peugeot invites us to get behind the wheel of the PureTech 130 BVA and plug-in hybrid 225 versions… Clearly, diesel is no longer in the smell of sanctity.At the wheel of the 308 SW prototype
For once, the dashboard of the prototypes is not camouflaged. Indeed, the station wagon adopts exactly the same i-cockpit as the sedan presented a few months ago. We can thus take advantage of access to the controls to check the new ergonomics. Our models are equipped with i-Toggles, these tactile elements placed under the 10-inch screen of the infotainment system. They can be configured for quick access to certain functions. More practical than navigation in the sub-menus of a touch screen, however, the system is not as ergonomic as the physical buttons: you have to take your eyes off the road to know which station to activate.
A comfort oriented philosophy
After remembering the behavior of the old generation, the change compared to the new 308 is obvious, especially in its PureTech 130 version. ” Customer feedback showed a desire to move towards more comfort ” explains Jean-Michel Hamann, P52 customer synthesis technician (internal code for the 308 station wagon). The suspension adjustment is clearly oriented in this direction, sometimes to the detriment of a dynamic road feel. A balance that the 308 II had been able to manage perfectly. The result is not unpleasant, but it does not have the expected feeling on a Peugeot.
This comfort orientation is assumed by the brand, which took this turn with the recent 208. A choice apparently paying in view of the sales of the city car. However, switching to a 225 hp PHEV version, the settings are still different: the body is better maintained, and it offers a balance closer to what one expects from a Peugeot. ” Due to the extra weight of the battery, we have made the suspensions stronger. Those of the thermal version are actually more flexible ”, confirms our interlocutor.
Prototypes to refine
The reminders are straightforward, especially with this PHEV offer, but gear changes sometimes lack responsiveness, including in manual mode. Note that the gearshift paddles are now integral with the small steering wheel. Regarding the braking, the attack of the pedal displays a certain softness, which requires to force more than necessary to obtain a real bite. A recurring defect in plug-in hybrid models. Nevertheless, the most unpleasant stems above all from the inconsistency of the management. You have to switch to Sport mode to have a real feeling of recall in the steering wheel. Jean-Michel Hamann admits that, on this point, “ these are not yet the final settings ”. Either, we will come back to this during the first tests of production vehicles, scheduled for the start of the school year. The sedan and the station wagon will then be on the program.
