MOTORNETNEWS  ROAD  TEST  -  AUGUST  2008   

PEUGEOT  308  XTE TDi  - $37,990 plus on-road costs.

The Peugeot 308 is a classy mid-sized car (see Motornetnews road test in Archives) and is available with a smooth and economical diesel engine. For details of the exterior and interior please check the 308 roadtest on file.

The diesel 308 incorporates all the fine features of the petrol model with the same upmarket interior, leather trim and host of standard equipment both for safety and convenience.

The main difference between the petrol and diesel versions is a slightly noisier engine at idle  and a firmer suspension. Whereas the petrol 308 has that subtle, swish ride peculiar to Peugeots, the diesel sits on a much firmer suspension setting due to the heavier engine up front and the test car rode on the optional 18" alloy wheels that have very low profile tyres. This gives the car a much harder ride, however, it is not harsh and soaks up most of the imperfections of our roads without much crashing and banging. I expect that the standard 17" alloy wheels and normal profile tyres would result in a slightly better and more comfortable ride.

The performance from the100kW,  2-litre, turbo diesel is excellent as it develops a huge 320Nm of torque from as low as 2000rpm. This means you get into the higher gears much sooner and can virtually idle around town in traffic without having to keep the revs up. This torque translates into excellent economy of around 7.0 litre per 100km in town and down to six on the freeway.

Once on the move the diesel engine produces no more noise than the petrol and is just as smooth. It is coupled to am excellent 6-speed automatic transmission that has seamless changes. 

The 308 represents the future in family cars with four doors, plenty of room for two adults and up to three children, a large, useful; luggage area, economical engine and hatchback convenience.

The standard equipment level is quite high  and, although the initial price for the diesel is fairly steep at $37,990, the car does offer pretty good value for the money.

The 308 comes with ABS brake system with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution and a full compliment of airbags - front, head and side. It has air-conditioning; cruise control; central remote locking; cloth trim (leather is a $2,900 option); 5-stack CD player; Electronic Stability Control; fog lights; engine immobiliser; parking distance sensors (the radio automatically goes to mute function when reverse is selected); power mirrors/steering/windows; 6-speaker audio system; front seat belt pre-tensioners; sun roof and trip computer.  

Options include the leather upholstery $2,900, 18" alloy wheels $2,900;  metallic paint $200 and satellite navigation $3,500.