Fresh Peugeot 308 only weeks away

Little more than a month after launching its all-new mid-size 3008 crossover next week, Peugeot Australia’s new management team will in October release the French brand’s facelifted 308 small car – including an upgraded 308 GTi hot hatch.

First revealed in May and on sale across Europe from next month, the midlife 308 makeover brings cosmetic and technology updates, including new advanced driver aids and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

How many of these tech upgrades will be made available to Australians is yet to be seen, but all MY18 308s will come with a new bonnet and grille, new front bumper with revised fog lights, and reworked tail lights.

Inside, the refreshed 308 line-up should also bring an updated infotainment system, new 3D navigation with real-time traffic updates and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

In Europe, Peugeot’s latest 308 also gains a suite of new driver assistance and safety systems borrowed from the 3008.

These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), active lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with a stop-go function and a 180-degree reversing camera and park assistant.

However, if Australia’s 3008 is any guide, these features won’t be available on entry-level 308 variants or standard across the range – unlike some of its direct competitors including Volkswagen’s latest Golf.

Australian Design Rule documents show the MY18 308 line-up will continue to include 96kW 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 110kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines matched with six-speed manual transmissions.

Peugeot Australia’s existing 308 range is priced from $27,990 and comprises the petrol Active and Allure hatchbacks, the diesel Allure hatch and wagon, the 133kW BlueHDi GT hatch and the 200kW 308 GTi 270 hot hatch.

There’s no sign yet of official certification for the latter yet, but Peugeot has confirmed the facelifted GTi will be part of the 2018 308 range from October.

Nor is it yet clear whether a 308 wagon will remain on sale here, or whether we’ll get the 308 GT’s new eight-speed auto matched with the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (Blue HDi 180).

Ruled out for Australia for now though are Europe’s latest 308 GT with new 96kW 1.5-litre turbo-diesel (Blue HDi 130), which also meet Euro 6 regulations.

In Europe, the MY18 308’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol triple is claimed to bring lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions courtesy of enhanced combustion efficiency, a re-routed exhaust gas system and a new six-speed manual transmission at base level.

There are no mechanical upgrades for the 308 GTi 270, which continues to punch to 100km/h in six seconds. It replaces a model currently priced at $49,990 plus ORCs and will take the fight to Volkswagen’s upgraded ‘7.5’ Golf GTI, which launches next week.