In addition to the sedan (P51) and the SW station wagon (P52), the new Peugeot 308 family will offer a unique bodywork known internally under the code P54. Available in gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrid, this 4-door crossover will replace the 408 in the fall of 2022, probably under the name 4008.
From mid-March 2021 until autumn 2022, Peugeot will embark on the renewal of the 308 family, called P5. It opened the ball with the five-door sedan (P51) launched in October. The 308 SW station wagon will follow, unveiled in June 2021 and launched in early 2022, and will keep the best for end. If the old generation was only available in two silhouettes in Europe, a third exists in China in the form of a notchback sedan, the 408. To replace the latter, Peugeot will surprise by reinterpreting the traditional sedan which does more recipe.
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In Europe and China, not the United States
Unlike the current 408, this 308 Crossover will not be confined to Asia. The P54 project was part (with the future 3008 and 5008), there is still little time, of the strategy of the return of Peugeot to the United States, buried with the birth of Stellantis. However, its viability has not been questioned because the Peugeot P54 will have its counterpart at Opel with a Crossover version (OV54) of the new Astra. A type of bodywork which is on the rise (Polestar 2, Citroën C4 and future C5), and which will snowball with other manufacturers (Kia CV, Ford Mondeo …).
Lamborghini inspiration
With a length of 4.70 m, this sedan of a new kind is developed on the EMP2 V3 platform but with an extended wheelbase, that of the 308 SW and the Citroën C5 III. Like the latter, and the DS4, the Peugeot Crossover will be characterized by a raised trim obtained by large 720 mm wheels. As for its style, our informants are unanimous on its spectacular design. If the front part will be common with the 308 5-door, the rest will be specific with the slippery roofline of a coupe and a stub truncated like that of the Toyota CH-R. The stern is even described as “muscular” with references to the Lamborghini Aventador by the design of the C-pillar and the rear bumper.
New i-cockpit
Shared with the new 308, the dashboard will be distinguished by an evolution of the i-cockpit which will integrate a new 10-inch multimedia system, common with that of the DS4. As a result, ergonomics worthy of a smartphone, better responsiveness and “Over the Air” updates for the GPS. Unlike the sedan, the crossover will benefit from a more spacious rear cell at the level of the legs, a prerequisite to attract Chinese customers.
No electric
One thing is certain: the catalog will not include a 100% electric version which will be reserved for the 5-door sedan in 2023. This crossover should begin its career with the latter’s engines. Namely the 1.2 PureTech (110 and 130 hp) associated with a 48V light hybridization in gasoline, the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 as well as two 1.6 PureTech rechargeable hybrids of 180 and 225 hp. The EAT8 automatic gearbox will be replaced in 2023 by the new e-DCT dual-clutch gearbox, from Punch Powertrain / PSA. During 2023, Peugeot will launch the 1.6 PureTech Generation 3 (Euro 7) produced at Opel in Hungary. The latter will team up with the e-DCT transmission on the new plug-in hybrids.
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What name for the Crossover 308?
308 RXH, 4008, 6008… many hypotheses are possible. As in China, it could quite simply be called 408, surname which reflects the positioning superior to that of the 308. However, if we follow the logic of the Peugeot nomenclature, the 4 of P54 refers to an SUV. Therefore, the name should have a double zero like the other SUVs in the range (2008, 3008 and 5008). The games are open until summer 2022, when the reveal. Production will begin in October at the Mulhouse plant. Whatever its name, this vehicle will undeniably overshadow the 508 (restyled in 2023) whose mixed commercial results raise the question of its replacement or not, even internally.
