Photo: RM Design
Is there something wrong with the Peugeot 308 and Opel Astra? We think there is. But Europe's journalists say these two are the best cars you can buy, having given them Car of the Year titles.
Yet we're not so sure they can be trusted. In reality, the French and German hatchbacks are good at looking attractive and offering driving without frills.
There's little chance that will change when facelifts are launched, but we're still hopeful. Even though the Astra K is the newer of the two cars, its facelift was spotted first. An Astra prototype with just a bit of tape around the headlights was seen in the company of the all-new Insignia sedan a while back.
So the changes are going to be minimal at best. Peugeot, meanwhile, is working on much more radical updates for the 308 II. The most recent spy images we have suggested a slightly sportier look is being developed by the Lion brand.
The latest rendering from RM Design falls in line with that. It features new bumpers with a design that falls somewhere between the GTi hot model and the new 3008 compact crossover. Just like we've seen with the 208 facelift, new wheels, interior options and paint will make the car look new without Peugeot doing too much.
As for the engine range, neither of these automakers has anything major planned. There was a rumor about a mild hybrid version of the Astra. But we haven't seen anything to support it.
These facelifted models are going to face some stiff competition. It's believed that the Volkswagen Golf will have a mid-life facelift in 2017, as patent-like images were leaked a few weeks ago. Also, Ford is working on an all-new Focus model. That one will have things that the Peugeot and Opel never will: AWD and possibly even a coupe version.
And let's not forget the SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia are going to receive updates within a year Yeah, the compact segment will look totally different soon.
There's little chance that will change when facelifts are launched, but we're still hopeful. Even though the Astra K is the newer of the two cars, its facelift was spotted first. An Astra prototype with just a bit of tape around the headlights was seen in the company of the all-new Insignia sedan a while back.
So the changes are going to be minimal at best. Peugeot, meanwhile, is working on much more radical updates for the 308 II. The most recent spy images we have suggested a slightly sportier look is being developed by the Lion brand.
The latest rendering from RM Design falls in line with that. It features new bumpers with a design that falls somewhere between the GTi hot model and the new 3008 compact crossover. Just like we've seen with the 208 facelift, new wheels, interior options and paint will make the car look new without Peugeot doing too much.
As for the engine range, neither of these automakers has anything major planned. There was a rumor about a mild hybrid version of the Astra. But we haven't seen anything to support it.
These facelifted models are going to face some stiff competition. It's believed that the Volkswagen Golf will have a mid-life facelift in 2017, as patent-like images were leaked a few weeks ago. Also, Ford is working on an all-new Focus model. That one will have things that the Peugeot and Opel never will: AWD and possibly even a coupe version.
And let's not forget the SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia are going to receive updates within a year Yeah, the compact segment will look totally different soon.
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