Peugeot 308 Hybrid - hybrid cars
July 4, 2008 Posted by: Lee Sibbald
On the surface the Peugeot 308 seems like just another small family car, but at the Frankfurt Show in 2007 it became much more than that as the new hybrid version of the model was unveiled. It marks a concerted effort by the French manufacturer to catch-up in the green car race – so let’s take a look at what the Peugeot 308 Hybrid has to offer.
Quick links:
- History of the Peugeot 308 Hybrid
- Environmental credentials of the Peugeot 308 Hybrid
- Peugeot 308 Hybrid statistics
- Future of the Peugeot 308 Hybrid
History of the Peugeot 308 Hybrid
The Peugeot 308 arrived in the car market after it’s unveiling on June 05, 2007, with more of a whimper than a bang. The reason is that its predecessor, the Peugeot 307, enjoyed a mini-resurgence and so it remained in production even when the Peugeot 308 became widely available.
The new vehicle was based on the chassis of the 307 but has different bodywork and is slightly larger. Midway through 2008 it held the record as the most fuel efficient car on the mainstream market over a distance of 9,060 miles. In the UK, the basic 1.4litre three-door hatchback was positioned as a competitor to the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf.
At the Frankfurt Show in 2007, a prototype Peugeot 308 hybrid was unveiled with a white and green colour scheme chosen as symbols of purity and ecology.
Environmental credentials of the Peugeot 308 Hybrid
Utilising the new Hybrid HDi, the Peugeot 308 confirms that diesel is a better choice than petrol when choosing the best option to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. It has a powerful output not dissimilar to the regular model – 132bhp – and is said to reduce fuel consumption by around 58 per cent compared to the standard model on an urban drive.
The electric motor is used for starting and driving at low speeds – with the diesel engine taking over on open roads and motorways. Both units work together to provide fast acceleration when needed and as it uses many of the components from existing Peugeot models it becomes affordable for most small family car buyers.
The Peugeot 308 Hybrid uses regenerative braking to collect energy during deceleration which is then used to extend the battery range. There is also a zero emissions vehicle mode that allows drivers to restrict periods of acceleration and high speed driving in order to cut out all exhaust emissions and noise pollution.
The emission figures from the Peugeot 308 Hybrid are impressive – the car reduces the CO2 emissions by 38 per cent compared to the conventional alternative at 90g/km making this vehicle exempt from the London Congestion Charge and road tax.
Peugeot 308 Hybrid statistics
Here are some crucial statistics about the Peugeot 308 Hybrid:
- CO2 emissions: 90g/km
- Engine: 110bhp 1.6 HDi DPFS diesel engine coupled with a 22bhp electric motor
- MPG Combined: 83mpg
- Torque: 59lb ft.
Future of the Peugeot 308 Hybrid
The Peugeot 308 Hybrid is expected to go on sale in the UK later this year although no official launch has been confirmed. Check back at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk and we’ll let you know the information as soon as it is released.
The number of hybrid cars available in the UK is on the increase although they are still not as readily available as it is hoped they will be in the long term. Here is a list of some of the hybrid cars currently available in the UK – click on the links to find out more:
There are also several hybrid cars available in other markets:
Here is a list of some of the hybrid cars that are coming soon:
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