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"HYBRID!" "DIESEL!" Arguments about which one's the better everyday fuel economy solution sound like old Miller Lite commercials sometimes. Next month in Frankfurt, Peugeot's going to show off its latest stab at mashing them together with the 308 Hybride HDi show car, and if there was ever a happy medium, this might be it. Due as a production vehicle in 2010, the 308 Hybrid combines a stingy-to-begin-with 110 HP 1.6L diesel with an electric motor that produces an additional 22 horsepower. Power's channeled to the front wheels through a 6-speed gearbox that can be operated in full automatic or sequential manual modes. The net result places the hybrid on essentially equal footing with the standard-production 308 2.0L diesel.

Performance numbers are basically the same, with the Hybrid delivering better in-gear acceleration than the regular diesel car. Naturally, it also boasts big-time fuel economy numbers. In the combined-cycle, it gets 69 miles to the gallon (yes, the US gallon). In urban driving, the number goes up to 78 MPG. All the usual hybrid traits are found here. At startup and at low speeds, the electric motor provides motivation, and when the diesel kicks in, the car will call upon the electric powerplant to help with acceleration when necessary. Stop-start tech is standard, of course. The 308 Hybrid concept also has a Zero Emissions mode that's designed to let the car operate freely in "heavily regulated urban centres" (hello, London!). And even when it's not running as a ZEV, its emissions output complies with the Euro 5 standards coming in 2009. The 308 hybrid emits just 90 g/km of CO2 vs the 308 2.0 diesel's 146 g/km.

All of that in a package that is nicely equipped, including a panoramic roof. If Peugeot can keep the production vehicle's pricing generally in line with the rest of the 308 range, they might find Europeans lining up, checkbooks in hand in a couple of years.

[Source: Peugeot]

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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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While Peugeot calls its 207 SW Outdoor a concept, there's little doubt that the Geneva-bound show car is a very good look at the upcoming 207 SW production car. Nix some of that glitzy metallic blue and bright orange trim, and you're pretty much there.

The 207 SW Outdoor gets some additional ground clearance a la the Audi Allroad or Subaru Outback to give it a soft-roader look. Peugeot says that the car's greenhouse, which includes a glass panoramic roof panel, is meant to help "bring the outdoors in" and create a bright, welcoming environment for occupants. In terms of innovation, the car features a single-movement fold-flat second row seat, and the tailgate glass opens independently of the rear hatch itself.

We wouldn't look for the parachute silk seat and door panel coverings to make it to production, but the car's 1.6L HDi 16v diesel with particulate filter is a good bet. It produces roughly 110 horsepower and 178 pounds of twist. That ought to be more than adequate to scoot the new compact wagon around whenever it bows in production trim.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Peugeot]

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Citroën's officially debuting its badge-engineered Mitsubishi Outlander clone, the C-Crosser, at Geneva next month. As such, more info and imagery is starting to flow from France. Of the two PSA Peugeot Citroen versions of the Mitsu, we like the appearance of the Citroen a lot more than its Peugeot stablemate. The pronounced chevrons are a lot easier on the eyes than Peugeot's "gaping maw" front-end look.

In terms of features, it's got essentially everything you can get on the Outlander. Also worth noting is that the Citroën offers a backup camera that will display the view behind the SUV on the nav screen -- a practical feature whose omission on the US car is curious, to say the least. We're sure it'll come if there's a demand for it stateside.

The launch engine, co-developed with Ford, is a 2.2L HDi diesel with particulate filter producing 160 horsepower (156HP EEC) and 280 lb-ft of torque. It can handle up to 30% biodiesel, is mated to a six-speed manual tranny, and fuel economy is a respectable 32.2 mpg in the combined cycle. New photos inside and out are available in the gallery below.

[Source: Citroen]

Our man on the ground in Paris John Neff is reporting on one the most imposing, scariest car at the show: the sinister Peugeot 908 RC. The concept sedan shares its engine with the 908 Le Mans , a 5.5-liter HDi V12 turbodiesel pumping out an earth-shattering 700 horsepower, driving through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Constructed of a carbon composite and aluminum, the sedan is capable of reaching over 300 km/h and covering a kilometer from a standstill in a scant 22 seconds. To get the enormous 5-meter-long sedan back to a standstill, the car is equipped with the latest carbon ceramic brakes from Brembo with 6 pistons up front and four in the rear.

Check out our previous posts for the full specs and even a couple of videos, and follow the jump for more photos from the show floor, factory-sourced press pics, and even a few design sketches.

Related posts:

• Video: Peugeot 908 RC concept
• Paris 2006: Peugeot 908 RC Concept - UPDATED