Peugeot 308 Turbo retested (6-speed)

Time flies. I could still recall that I was somehow smitten by an early version of this Pug 308 turbo some two years ago. Though it had only 4-speed auto, the road holding and handling were sweet, albeit ride was a little firm. The value-for-money buy (at RM112k) had even gone on to handsomely win the 2009 Car of the Year title from New Straits Times (NST) .




All manufacturers improvise on their cars as years go by. The 'new' 308 turbo is no exception. The sampler that you see in white here has gained a Japanese slush 'box good for six forward ratios. All for the better, lower emissions and more importantly, better fuel economy. Admittedly, it is very smooth on the go now and the car tested licked 190 km/h with ease and the twin-scrolled blower found in this 1.6 engine is quite the lag-free deal, in the vein of BMW turbocharging these days . After all, it is a J-V offspring from BMW-Peugeot union.




However, in its quest for a more fancy panoramic roof (read: heavy), this Pug seems to have a more jello-wobbly suspension setting now, perhaps to offset the added higher mass, suspended above. This warm hatch now rolls, pitch and get busily wobbly with almost every bit of your steering input. Grip levels from those pricey Conti rubbers are still admirably good. Even the rack itself is overtly sensitive, even with input just that wee-bit off-centre.




In short, somehow, the whole package just don't gel. Not anymore. Not when even the driver gets carsick easily. And what's with the noisy A/C blower at full blast and neither hot-nor-cold mostly, climate control? Maybe I am being a bit harsh here with the steeply rake huge front windscreen and glass panoramic roof being untinted yet, in a new car. But it gets uncomfortably hot easily in this 308 with the A/C being stuffy or overwhelmingly noisy most of the time.

Hey, where's the nice good 'ol white face meters? The new "mono-chromed" amber on black is just cheaper-looking and a bore to look at. A lame attempt to mimic BMW items if that was the true intention.

After a few days with it, I have to admit that the latest 308 turbo isn't as desirable as before, not in this latest guise anyway. But it cannot be denied that the sticker price of RM118k is indeed still very tempting against the similarly-classed (RM156k) VW Golf 1.4 TSI. Such is the reality. A cheaper and slightly smaller VW Polo perhaps...anyone?




You may be compare this article with this:
Peugeot 308 Turbo tested (2009)

Peugeot 308 Turbo retested (6-speed)

Time flies. I could still recall that I was somehow smitten by an early version of this Pug 308 turbo some two years ago. Though it had only 4-speed auto, the road holding and handling were sweet, albeit ride was a little firm. The value-for-money buy (at RM112k) had even gone on to handsomely win the 2009 Car of the Year title from New Straits Times (NST) .




All manufacturers improvise on their cars as years go by. The 'new' 308 turbo is no exception. The sampler that you see in white here has gained a Japanese slush 'box good for six forward ratios. All for the better, lower emissions and more importantly, better fuel economy. Admittedly, it is very smooth on the go now and the car tested licked 190 km/h with ease and the twin-scrolled blower found in this 1.6 engine is quite the lag-free deal, in the vein of BMW turbocharging these days . After all, it is a J-V offspring from BMW-Peugeot union.




However, in its quest for a more fancy panoramic roof (read: heavy), this Pug seems to have a more jello-wobbly suspension setting now, perhaps to offset the added higher mass, suspended above. This warm hatch now rolls, pitch and get busily wobbly with almost every bit of your steering input. Grip levels from those pricey Conti rubbers are still admirably good. Even the rack itself is overtly sensitive, even with input just that wee-bit off-centre.




In short, somehow, the whole package just don't gel. Not anymore. Not when even the driver gets carsick easily. And what's with the noisy A/C blower at full blast and neither hot-nor-cold mostly, climate control? Maybe I am being a bit harsh here with the steeply rake huge front windscreen and glass panoramic roof being untinted yet, in a new car. But it gets uncomfortably hot easily in this 308 with the A/C being stuffy or overwhelmingly noisy most of the time.

Hey, where's the nice good 'ol white face meters? The new "mono-chromed" amber on black is just cheaper-looking and a bore to look at. A lame attempt to mimic BMW items if that was the true intention.

After a few days with it, I have to admit that the latest 308 turbo isn't as desirable as before, not in this latest guise anyway. But it cannot be denied that the sticker price of RM118k is indeed still very tempting against the similarly-classed (RM156k) VW Golf 1.4 TSI. Such is the reality. A cheaper and slightly smaller VW Polo perhaps...anyone?




You may be compare this article with this:
Peugeot 308 Turbo tested (2009)

2011-2012 Peugeot 308 Hybrid Luxury Concept

In 2012, the Peugeot 308 Hybrid will be the second Peugeot model to benefit from the HYbrid4 power train. e-HDi micro-hybrid technology on the Peugeot 508 and the new Peugeot 308. The 2011 Peugeot 508 and the new 2011 Peugeot 308 Hybrid are the forerunners of the innovative e-HDi technology, a new generation STOP & START, prior to its deployment on other models in the range.2011 Peugeot 308

2011 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Limited Edition

The 2011 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, the world’s first Diesel Hybrid:in Geneva, as a limited editionWith its launch of the world’s first diesel hybridvehicle, from mid-2011, Peugeot presents a new andoriginal offer in terms of environmental efficiencyand driving sensations.On the 3008 Crossover, the hybridisation of a dieselengine (2.0 HDi FAP 120 kW/163 bhp) driving thefront wheels and an electric

2011 Peugeot 508 Strong Design Hybrid Concept

The commercial launch of the 2011 Peugeot 508 strong design at the service of emotion With the new 508, launched at the beginning of February in its leading European markets, Peugeot reaffirms its ambitions in one of its traditional strong suits, the large touring car segment. With its Saloon (4.79 m) and SW (4,81 m) bodyshapes, its wide choice of economic petrol and diesel engines ranging from

2011 Peugeot 308 Dynamic Excellence Concept

The Peugeot 308 is available as a 5-door hatchback, with a 3-door limited to a few markets. In 2010, Peugeot announced the return of a GTI model (known as the GT in the UK), featuring a turbocharged 1.6 L engine with 200bhp. Launched as the replacement for the Peugeot 307 in most international markets, the new vehicle was based upon the old 307’s chassis, but has new bodywork and is slightly

Peugeot RCZ crosses the RM200k mark in Malaysia!

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia has launched the absolutely modern, bubbly, compact-and-curvaceous RCZ 2+2 coupe recently. Two variants sporting different state of tune and transmission are available.

Powered by the all-familiar 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged powerplant found in the Peugeot 308, 3008 and 5008 the 6-speed auto RCZ gets the standard combo of maximum power output of 156 bhp + 240Nm of torque. The Pearlescent White car that you see above a gets a stick shifter good for 6-forward ratios transmitting 200 bhp and 275 Nm to the front wheels. All from the same 4-pot 1.6L - albeit charged to a higher boost via a visibly larger intercooler up front - sitting just behind the bumper and a couple of seriously more robust-looking turbo hoses in the engine bay!

The manual RCZ also has larger disc brakes all around, larger alloy wheels (18") and stiffer springs to cope with the added grunt. Incidentally, the manual RCZ has a sportier (read: bassier) exhaust note to complement its higher performance positioning in the RCZ hierarchy.

Adding to visual enhancements as well as sporty performance are the double-bubble roof (which desperately needs dark tinting in our super-sunny and hot climate) and the active rear spoiler that deploys to two-stage at different higher speeds.

The in-car entertainment aspect is taken care of by a JBL hi-fi incorporating an amplifier punching 240 watts through 6-speakers. Also on offer are Bluetooth connectivity and auxiliary audio input capability.

For added safety, there is an active pyrotechnic bonnet system (at the front wing, just above and a little behind the wheel arch which "explodes" and propels forward during a forceful collision, acting somewhat like an external "airbag" to cushion and prevent intrusion of the front bulkhead into the driver's/passenger cabin.

The RCZ coupe is fully imported (CBU) from Magna Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria and retails for RM218,888 for the 6-speed auto version, while the 6-speed manual is priced at RM223,888.
For Wheels was told at the launch that some at 35 units were already called for, out of which the majority were manual versions, in a surprising reversal of trend for the Malaysian car-crazy-but-automatic-loving motorists.

Nasim hopes to deliver some 100 to 150 units of RCZ for the remaining months of 2011.
Wither the grey-imported used (reconditioned) Audi TT coupe?



*some pictures taken by Janus Mun

Peugeot RCZ crosses the RM200k mark in Malaysia!

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia has launched the absolutely modern, bubbly, compact-and-curvaceous RCZ 2+2 coupe recently. Two variants sporting different state of tune and transmission are available.

Powered by the all-familiar 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged powerplant found in the Peugeot 308, 3008 and 5008 the 6-speed auto RCZ gets the standard combo of maximum power output of 156 bhp + 240Nm of torque. The Pearlescent White car that you see above a gets a stick shifter good for 6-forward ratios transmitting 200 bhp and 275 Nm to the front wheels. All from the same 4-pot 1.6L - albeit charged to a higher boost via a visibly larger intercooler up front - sitting just behind the bumper and a couple of seriously more robust-looking turbo hoses in the engine bay!

The manual RCZ also has larger disc brakes all around, larger alloy wheels (18") and stiffer springs to cope with the added grunt. Incidentally, the manual RCZ has a sportier (read: bassier) exhaust note to complement its higher performance positioning in the RCZ hierarchy.

Adding to visual enhancements as well as sporty performance are the double-bubble roof (which desperately needs dark tinting in our super-sunny and hot climate) and the active rear spoiler that deploys to two-stage at different higher speeds.

The in-car entertainment aspect is taken care of by a JBL hi-fi incorporating an amplifier punching 240 watts through 6-speakers. Also on offer are Bluetooth connectivity and auxiliary audio input capability.

For added safety, there is an active pyrotechnic bonnet system (at the front wing, just above and a little behind the wheel arch which "explodes" and propels forward during a forceful collision, acting somewhat like an external "airbag" to cushion and prevent intrusion of the front bulkhead into the driver's/passenger cabin.

The RCZ coupe is fully imported (CBU) from Magna Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria and retails for RM218,888 for the 6-speed auto version, while the 6-speed manual is priced at RM223,888.
For Wheels was told at the launch that some at 35 units were already called for, out of which the majority were manual versions, in a surprising reversal of trend for the Malaysian car-crazy-but-automatic-loving motorists.

Nasim hopes to deliver some 100 to 150 units of RCZ for the remaining months of 2011.
Wither the grey-imported used (reconditioned) Audi TT coupe?



*some pictures taken by Janus Mun

2011 Peugeot 408

Peugeot is launching a new sedan Peugeot 408 in China. But this is not the successor of 407 but the sedan version of the Peugeot 308. This model is designed special for growth market countries and produced by the joint venture companies in China namely Peugeot Dongfeng.Peugeot 408 using low-cost platform with MacPherson front suspension (front) and torsion-beam (rear). Although not an ideal

Peugeot Monte Carlo Rally 2011

It was 100 years ago that the first Monte Carlo Rally took place and this year’s rally will be the first one for Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks and Phil Pugh in a Peugeot 207 S2000.

The first Monte Carlo Rally ran in 1911 and it is still (possibly) the most iconic rally in the world. This year it will provide the backdrop to Peugeot UK’s new driver pairing, Guy Wilks and Phil Pugh as they kick off their own as well as Peugeot UK’s third IRC Campaign.

The Monte Carlo Rally is steeped in history and can even be said to have created the sport of rallying. The original Monte Carlo Rally competitors set off from all four corners of Europe and then “rallied” together to finish up in Monte Carlo to celebrate the end of a unique event. The current event no longer sees competitors start from the four corners of Europe, but it is, however, no less of a challenge.

In 1911 the first rally was won by Henri Rougier at the wheel of a 25 hp Turcat-Mery - now competitors will take up the challenge in state-of-the-art 300 bhp, four wheel drive Super 2000 rally cars. For Guy and Phil this will be a Peugeot 207 S2000 Evolution, the latest offering from the most successful manufacturer in the IRC with, to date, 20 rally wins to its credit.

The cars have changed a lot since the first rally but the need to control the car over ice and snow-covered surfaces too slippery to stand on has not. Now the competitors start the rally in the area around Valence, the capital of France’s Drome Region and then wind their way through a number of historic stages to the climax of the rally - the famous run over the Col de Turini. The rally starts on Wednesday 19th January and finishes in the early hours of Saturday 22nd January, in Monte Carlo.

The rally for Guy and Phil, however, started well before the starting ramp in Valence on Tuesday 18th January. It began before Christmas with a visit to Kronos to see the building of their Peugeot UK 207 S2000 and to meet their new team followed by a test to familiarise themselves with their new car. The test, however, did not go to plan; Phil was unable to make the test as he could not fly from the UK due to heavy snow. Guy did make the test and with the help of Xavier Panseri as his temporary co-driver he was able to complete a very successful first drive and test of the Peugeot 207 S2000.

Now the already thorough preparations go up a gear with a two day test in France this week to work on final set-up ready for the start of the rally next week. The test will also be the first time Guy and Phil will have driven the Peugeot UK 207 S2000 they will contest in the Monte Carlo rally, with its new livery.

This week’s test will be conducted over two different test stages to simulate the range of conditions which could be found on this year’s rally. It will also provide the opportunity to fine tune the final set-up and to shake down their new car.

Three years ago, the Monte Carlo Rally became the starting event for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) and that year it was won by Sebastien Ogier in a Peugeot 207 S2000, with two other Peugeot 207 S2000s driven by Freddy Loix and Stephane Sarrazin, making it an all Peugeot Podium.

Guy and Phil will, therefore, be hoping the Peugeot Magic returns to the “Monte” and, with a little luck, they can finally provide Peugeot UK with the podium position in Monte Carlo they have been working for over the last two years. If all the preparation pays off for Guy Wilks, he will also be the first British driver to win the Monte Carlo rally for 43 years, when it was won in 1968 by Vic Elford in a Porsche 911. In the history of the rally there have only been five Britons on the top step of the podium.

1931 – Donald Healey driving an Invicta
1952 – Sydney Allard driving an Allard
1956 – Ronnie Adams driving a Jaguar MKVII
1964 – Paddy Hopkirk driving a Mini Cooper S
1968 – Vic Elford driving a Porsche 911

Key facts Rally Monte Carlo 2011

Surface / No of Stages	Asphalt / 13 Stages
Special Stage Distance	337.06 kms
Road Distance	1004.69 kms
Total Distance	1341.75 km