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Call Magnum, there's a new 308! Oh wait, it's a Peugeot...
Click image for a gallery of the Peugeot 308
In our minds, the number 308, as it pertains to cars, is inextricably tied to Ferrari, and by extension, one Thomas Magnum, whose 308 GTS was one of the cooler TV rides of the 80s. Unfortunately, the number will soon be associated with Peugeot's "gaping maw" front end treatment on the new 308 hatch. Regardless of how anyone feels about Pug's corporate schnoz, it's very...um, distinctive, and naturally, it adorns the automaker's newest 5-door. The photos here leaked earlier in the week, and there's no official release to accompany them yet (that will come on June 5, according to WorldCarFans).
The prevailing wisdom, however, is that is that the 308 will launch with the BMW-PSA 120-horsepower 1.6L four cylinder (also used in the Mk2 MINI Cooper). A range of diesels will also be available, and as previously reported, PSA's diesel-electric Hybride HDi system is also going to be in the mix. That powertrain should be good for something in the neighborhood of 69 mpg in the combined-cycle, which is obviously fantastic. Finally, an E85-capable engine will also be offered.
A wagon and coupe+convertible will join the hatchback later on, and a spunky, turbocharged 308 RC is expected sometime in the future. All these new 308s may well be fine cars, but we'd still rather have the kind with that horse on the hood...
[Source: WorldCarFans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 2:21PM (5/27/2007)
When I saw the headline I thought you were referring to the Dodge Magnum, and it puzzled me.
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email1.ryan 10:31PM (5/27/2007)
I think this car should be sold in the US.
I looks great and with 68mpg it would sell alot or at least enough to warrant an idea to sell it here.
stefan 2:32PM (5/27/2007)
That thing is shit ugly, and i'm from Holland when its out ill probably see 50 of those every day.
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Sal 2:59PM (5/27/2007)
What a Ferrari rip-off!, it's not like there are Peugeots like 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 or 307... oh wait, they do! even 309 and it might be matter of perception but the car looks gorgeous to me, a friend of mine has a steel gray 307cc (convertible) with a terracotta interior and it turns more heads than most cars around it.
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geo.stewart 3:04PM (5/27/2007)
Sorry, I gotta say I like it. Wish it was here in the US, but with 160-180hp... I'll take that instead of the anemic Astra we are going to get, even though that looks to be a decent ride, aside from the lack of power.
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rrr 3:08PM (5/27/2007)
WOW, this should be sold in USA, a guaranteed money maker.
People say that Hatches do not do good in USA, but that maybe the case simply because they are not all that good (Pontiac Vibe) or too expencive (Matrix, Mazda).
This one looks great and at the right price would sell a TON in USA.
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Mal Fuller 3:15PM (5/27/2007)
"In our minds, the number 308, as it pertains to cars, is inextricably tied to Ferrari....."
To the contrary, an earlier significance of the number 308 is its association with the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, which was propelled by the 6-cylinder, NASCAR championship engine, which displaced 308 cu. in. and was known as the 308. Didn't you see the movie Cars, Alex?
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Rene Curry 12:14AM (5/28/2007)
I see these in China.
Check out the facial expression in the design....it even has a nose! It's a good thing the other end doesn't follow any human anatomy design!
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Brackie 8:32AM (5/28/2007)
I'm sorry, but this is breathtakingly Ugly...What is going on with those hideous arches....The car is an absolute mess..and lets not even talk about that gurning front...Peugeot is going dramatically downhill...and I well eblieve the rumour that Citroen has all the best designers at PSA. America be lucky you don't get some of Europes cars after all...The Astra is so much more defined and stylish compared to this soggy pear of a car...Ill est Merde
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John Metcalf 3:00PM (5/28/2007)
Every time I see these types of cars covered here on Autoblog I want to cry in my soup. This is a great looking car and 120 ponies seems about right to me. Five-doors are just so practical for those of us with small familes.
Somebody with some pull, please convince the powers that be (whoever they are) that there is a market for cars like this here in the US. I can't be the only one, sounds like rrr is with me.
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Don 4:45PM (5/28/2007)
What's that huge, gaping black thing across the front end?
A handle?
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Dustin 4:39AM (5/29/2007)
She's a beauty. I'll take mine in royal blue, please.
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serendipitously.wordpress.com 3:55PM (6/01/2007)
I think the car is the ultimate personnification of French flair and its nosejob isn't as bad as the Concorde, although that black bar is reminiscent of that band I had to wear for my teeth when I had braces.
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