New turbocharged 1.2 petrol engines from Peugeot are expected to lead a move back towards increased petrol cars sales in the brand, writes Brian Byrne.
The 3-cylinder units offer 110/130hp power outputs, and will come first first in the recently launched new 308, and the upcoming 308 SW estate due in Ireland in the summer.
The company claims a 21 percent fuel economy improvement, and consequential CO2 emissions cuts. The 1.6 diesel offered in the car has also been significantly improved, and a 2.0 diesel with automatic transmission is part of the range offer.
At the international launch of the 308 SW estate in France this week, Peugeot also said the estate format in the compact family car segment hasn't been diminished by the introduction of crossover and MPV variants, and that a third of all 308s to be built will be wagons.
The new SW also exploits the modular feature of the new PSA Group platform underpinning the 308 and recent Citroen models by allowing a longer wheelbase in the wagon. Contributing to improved handling and comfort, the wheelbase in the 308 SW is 11cm longer than in the hatchback which was recently awarded the 2014 European Car of the Year title. The overall car is 33cm longer, providing a claimed class-leading cargo capacity.
Technologies in the 308 now also include a Sport Pack in the petrol versions which sharpens throttle response, visually shows by switching the speedometer graphics from white to read, and introduces a digitally-made 'sportier' sound to the interior of the car.
A longish drive in northern France this week in the 308 SW 2.0 diesel automatic showed a very comfortable and untiring car for a cross-country haul. A shorter experience with the 130hp 1.2 turbocharged petrol gave us a taste for the petrol/diesel ratio change which the local distributor is hoping will result from economies and emissions which have previously only been available with diesel.
The engine impressed with its performance and refinement on this initial trial, and I'm very much looking forward to trying it comprehensively when it rolls off the boat onto these shores later in the year.
I have been promoting petrol engines over diesels for the private motorist for some time now. This is a motor which will reinforce my arguments against automatically opting for a more expensive diesel when it really doesn't suit the buyer's needs. Saving €10-€30 in annual Road Tax isn't the whole story.
The new 308 is working well for Peugeot, with some 70,000 orders since it was launched well exceeding expectations. In the biggest market segment across Europe, the model is largely responsible for an 18 percent increase in the brand's sales this year.
More details of Irish specifications coming closer to the SW's launch date in July.
