Peugeot is now riding a wave of popularity with the new 308 hatchback after it won Europe’s Car of the Year Award at the Geneva Motor Show. The French carmaker is increasing the production of the 308 hatchback after receiving 60,000 orders for the new model. Reviews from UK motoring magazines were overflowing with positive feedback, making the new 308 one of the best new small family hatchbacks available in Europe.
Closer to home, the first-generation 308 is still available in Malaysia. First introduced in 2009, the current 308 has aged a bit and needs a replacement to stay in competition against the likes of Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. Recently, Peugeot Malaysia’s Facebook page revealed that Malaysian customers can now anticipate the new 308 by the middle of 2015 (as shown in the screenshot below).
Although it’s a long way to go so don’t hold your breath. Knowing that Malaysia is the production hub for right-hand drive markets for PSA Peugeot Citroen, it could take a while to plan and prepare for the local assembly of the new 308. Currently, the 308 is available in VTI and Turbo models and it’s exported overseas to right-hand drive markets.
In the UK, the new 308 is available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged ‘Prince’ engine, and a new 1.2-litre three cylinder engines offered as well. We are not sure if Peugeot’s Blue HDi diesels will be available on our shores due to our undesirable diesel quality, hence there is a higher possibility that the new 308 will arrive with similar engines and drivetrains from its predecessor. One thing is for sure, we might need to wait a year to confirm that.
