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Peugeot 308 Plug in Hybrid. Credit: Authors’ Union Mobility/Stellantis

Peugeot’s answer to the VW Golf hearkens back to the well-known abbreviation of the 308. And just like Wolfsburg, the French offer their chic compact as a plug-in hybrid.

With the 308 Hybrid, there are two plug-in versions to choose from, one with a system output of 180 hp and a top version with an output of 225 hp. In addition to the standard hatchback, a friendly SW station wagon is also available.

Peugeot dealers call a confident 44,500 euros for the hybrid 180 plug-in at the minimum level of performance. The VW Golf GTE with 245 hp starts at a low price of 41,940 euros, as long as it can be ordered, because it no longer appears in the VW configuration at all. However, the more powerful and cheaper Wolfsburg comes with basic equipment, while the Frenchman, who has a long-standing Peugeot 308 plug-in hybrid 180 e-EAT8, already enters the high-quality, sports equipment of GT. Among other things, this includes dynamic LED matrix lights, as well as many driver aids and a reversing camera, which already has many important safety features.

Thanks to the possibility of external charging, the Peugeot blows up to 65 kilometers on electricity. In everyday life, the average is a good 50 km, and the Frenchman turned off his combustion engine in city traffic many times and drove an electric car. If more power is needed, the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine kicks gently, while the standard eight-speed automatic transmission isn’t as smooth as butter, but shifts gears with little delay. The French part-time electrician has a lot of energy savings, especially when both drives work together and are combined in a harmony unit. On the autobahn, the Frenchman accelerates to 135 km/h, and the top speed of 225 km/h is also easy.

The Peugeot 308 Hybrid is on the way. The steering is direct and the GT’s taut chassis activates the sporty genes and encourages corner stealers. Although the Peugeot 308 Hybrid has many sporty genes, its real mission is to save fuel. On average, he should be satisfied with only one liter of super. But the WLTP factory tests, which are determined only under ideal laboratory conditions on the roll range and in which all plug-in hybrids have a clear advantage over other car types due to a special measurement method, cannot be achieved in practice. The French are no exception and use an average of 6.6 liters of petrol and 16.4 kWh of electricity. However, if the Peugeot only drives in city traffic with a large portion of electricity, consumption values ​​of around 2.3 liters can be easily achieved.

If the 12.4 kWh batteries are exhausted, charging via the standard on-board charger with a series of 3.7 kW takes three hours and 40 minutes. On the other hand, a good half of the time can be saved with the optional 7.4 kW charger. It fills a storage warehouse in a 22 kW wall box in less than two hours. So it is worth ordering an extra 500 euros when ordering a car.

In its interior, the Frenchman with the so-called i-Cockpit does many things differently from other compact cars. The small steering wheel and the instrument cluster above it are now a Peugeot model. In the tested GT equipment line, digital displays can also be displayed in three dimensions. This creates the impression that they seem to float freely in the air. A nice effect that can also be turned off by pressing the button on the turn signal lever. It is nice, however, that the navigation map can be displayed in the background in full format.

Even in the current 308 there are only a few switches and buttons. The center-mounted multimedia screen takes on many functions. However, after a short familiarization phase, the operation reveals itself. In addition, your favorite functions such as radio stations, air conditioning or the navigation system can be easily stored on the touch screen as freely assignable direct selection buttons. And to return to the main menu, just press the monitor with three fingers, which makes it easier to use the infotainment.

Light and shade, on the other hand, are key words when it comes to space. Up front you feel good in the sports seats and there is a pleasant freedom of movement in all directions. In the back, adults sit in a 4.36 meter tall Peugeot. In the second row, adults do not have enough knee room, but there is always enough for children. There’s also a compromise when it comes to trunk volume, as the plug-in hybrid is a good 50 liters smaller than the standard five-door petrol and diesel at 361 litres. If that doesn’t bother you, the Peugeot 308 Hybrid is a sleek and compact alternative. Although at a high price.

(sen/gb)

Specifications Peugeot 308 Plug-in Hybrid GT 180 e-EAT8

Length x width x height (m): 4.36 x 1.85 x 1.44
Wheelbase (m): 2.68
Drive: R4 petrol, 1598 cc, turbocharged, 81 kW electric motor, FWD, eight-speed automatic
System output: 133 kW / 180 hp
Top speed: 225 km / h / electric: 135 km / h
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 7.6 seconds
WLTP average consumption: 1.0 liters
CO2 emissions: 24 g/km (Euro 6d)
Average energy consumption: 14.2 kWh
Electric range: 65 km
Efficiency class: A+
Empty weight / payload: min. 1678 kg / 442 kg maximum
Trunk volume: 361-1271 liters
Maximum towing capacity: 1500 kg
Turning radius: 10.5 m
Tires: 225/45 R 17
Base price: 44,500 euros

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