Peugeot 308 to hit the Malaysian markets, priced at RM132,888

Kuala Lumpur: Nasim has officially unveiled the 2014 European Car of the Year, Peugeot 308 in Malaysia. The extremely aesthetic 308 makes way to the markets made available in a single high specification variant embedding a 1.6-litre 150 THP power output engine with 6-speed auto-transmission.

The “THP” in the engine stands for Turbo High Pressure and here were are talking about a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder direct injection turbocharged unit which delivers a maximum power output measuring 152 PS alongside a torque output of 240 Nm from 1450 to 4000 rpm. The top speed that can be clocked from this beautiful beast measures 211 kmph while 0-100 kmph checkpoint can be breached in mere 9.4 seconds. “Quickshift technology” of Peugeot is responsible for the movement of power output in front wheels with the help of AT6 6-speed auto-transmission (torque converter) which has been sourced from Japanese company Aisin. The paddle shift functionality is absent, however the manual gear shift has been made available in the drive in the traditional manner. The average fuel consumption on combined pathways measures 15.4 kmpl.

With the latest facelift the proportions of Peugeot 308 have also undergone some alterations. The overall length has reduced by 23mm., however the wheelbase is 12mm longer, which is obviously in lieu with the reduction of front overhang. The standout reduction however remains the 41mm reduced height which makes Peugeot 308 more aerodynamic.

 

When it comes to the accessories embedded with 308, for a hatch, as expected from a Peugeot is tremendously equipped to say the least. The standard equipments include LED headlamps with DRLs, 18-inch sapphire alloys, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry with push start button, 2-zone air conditioning, electric lumber and massage function, sports seats with Alcantra centre section and reverse camera. On the inside, taking design cues from 208, the uniquely laid out cabin is pretty no-nonsense in design and the physical buttons are all thrown away from the dashboard. The touchscreen functionality and 9.7-inch heads up display takes care of pretty much all your requirements.

From the safety prospective, Peugeot 308 has been handed a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP and comes with Driver Assistance Pack, this includes Emergency Collision Alert which makes use of radar to visually and audibly alert the driver in case a collision looks imminent. This pack also involves Dynamic Cruise Control which is also a radar based device for cruise control to mirror the current speed of the car. The car for active safety also comes embedding 6 dedicated airbags, ESP and Hill Start Assist.   Nasim on its launch, also highlighted the rigorous tests that 308 has undergone to provide the driver with the best design, assembly, soundproofing, durability and material available. These tests included 2.5-million driven tests pre-launch, 250,000 cycles of monitoring of air conditioning, 4.3 million touchscreen presses, 2500 hours of climate and vibration testing etc. That is not all, buyers of Peugeot 308 will gain access to 5-year + unlimited mileage warranty (three year factory warranty + two years extended warranty) and alongside that complimentary access to Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and 24-hour Peugeot Assistance. Made available in 5 color combinations – Pearl White (1.590RM extra), Artense Grey, Rouge Red, Nera Black and Mocha Brown, this Peugeot 308 is priced RM 132,888 on road which includes insurance and GST, the pricing too, comes off as a pleasant surprise being fairly lower than one would have expected.