Equipped with a range of low emission and fuel efficient engines, which comply with the strict Euro 4 pollution standards, the new Peugeot 308 is a mid sized five door hatch offering owners a practical solution to the demands of modern day motoring.

“The all new Peugeot 308 embodies the essence of Peugeot.“ said Peugeot general manager Mr John Keenan. “Created with desire and innovation, the highest of safety and technology plus an environmental responsibility that paves the way of motoring in the future. With the range priced from just $29,990 it offers so much more, all with the latest in continental European style.”

The Peugeot 308 has been eagerly anticipated in New Zealand following the rapid market acceptance in Europe with over 100,000 308 models sold in just three months from launch.

Illustrating the success of the new model, the 308 was awarded the 2007 Goldene Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel Award) in Berlin. This prestigious honour has been awarded annually since 1976 by Germany’s national weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Judging criteria included, style, design, comfort, road holding, safety, environmental friendliness and quality. The 308 hatchback was chosen as the best compact family car.

“The international sales success of Peugeot’s 308 has resulted in supply difficulties for our market as demand has exceeded supply. Now we are pleased to release this exciting new model with a special introductory offer. Peugeot will pay for scheduled servicing on all 308 models for the first three years or 60,000 km. That’s outstanding value and piece of mind motoring” said Keenan.

With the growth of international export markets Peugeot has been able to launch this new model with a six speed automatic transmission in the HDi diesel variant.

“The new Peugeot 308 diesel with an automatic transmission is a real highlight in the range for us. Generally automatic transmissions arrive later in the production timeline, but growth in export markets for the PSA Group, which produces more than three million new vehicles per year, has resulted in a focus on fuel efficient and environmentally kinder automatics. Great news for New Zealand as few distributors can provide a diesel automatic transmission option – so important for today’s driving environment.”

Safety is a key Peugeot strength and the 308 does not disappoint, being awarded the highest 5-Star safety rating in the European new car assessment programme (5-STAR EURO NCAP). All 308’s have six airbags fitted as standard and a seventh driver column or knee airbag is available on some models. Accident avoidance technology like electronic stability programme comes as standard on most models.

Worldwide demand pressures mean that the Peugeot 308 full model range will be introduced to New Zealand progressively over the next 12 months. Initially in three model variants including the 1.6 litre turbo 308 XSP which was developed jointly between BMW and PSA Peugeot to recently be lauded as the 2007 International Engine Of The Year.

Highly specified the 308 HDi model is fitted with a Porsche Tiptronic System six speed automatic transmission. An outstanding panoramic glass roof runs the full length of the vehicle providing an incredible feeling of interior space plus the safety bonus of extra rigidity. This vehicle is well equipped with European features including automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, dual zone climate air-conditioning, cruise control and 16” alloy wheels.

“European style that doesn’t cost the earth” is the message Peugeot New Zealand is expressing regarding the launch of their latest compact vehicle.

Soon to be released is the super environmentally kinder 308 1.6 litre HDi which has an extremely low CO2 emission of 120g per km plus particularly low fuel consumption of 4.5 litres / 100 km in the combined cycle. Expected mid year is the 308 Sport a 175 bhp hot hatch followed by the 308 Sport Wagon and exciting open top 308 CC coupe cabriolet.

The Peugeot 308 model range is priced from $29,990 for the 308 XS model including the introductory offer free three year scheduled service plan. The 308 XS automatic at $32,990, 308 XSP automatic $37,990 and is available in the low emission and very economical 308 HDi 2.0 litre diesel 6 speed automatic from $42,990.