Peugeot 308 Facelift Official Details and Photos

By the looks of it, 2011 will be the year of French manufacturers, at least as far as the number of new models and special editions is concerned. While Renault keeps itself busy by releasing one special edition after another, rivals from Peugeot are up to more serious undertakings.

Today, the French have revealed a facelift for one of their most successful models, the 308. Coming to dealerships in May this year, the facelift covers the entire range, starting from the popular hatchback and ending with the cabrio and SW.

Both visually and mechanically, the facelift is not much of an evolution. It is, in turn, a well deserved change. Peugeot's engineers brought the 305 in line with the current design language of the lineup, with more modern lines and a revised front end.

The new 308 will be made available in four trim levels, Access, SR, Active and Allure. Standard equipment, depending on the version, includes air conditioning, ESP, ABS, EBFD, EBA, front and rear electric windows with child security, remote control central door locking with deadlocks and six SMART safety airbags.

The new range will be powered by more fuel efficient engines (Peugeot says the new lineup emits less and consumes less thanks to the reduced weight: the diet trimmed the fat off the chubby 508 by some 25 kg.

Engine wise, the offer is as extensive as ever, with the 1.4l VTi 98 hp opening the list. It is joined by the 1.6l VTi 120 hp, 1.6l THP 156 hp, 1.6l THP 200 hp (all petrol engines) and 1.6l HDi FAP 92 hp, 1.6l e-HDi FAP 112 hp, 2.0l HDi FAP 150 hp and 2.0l HDi FAP 163, all diesels.

The starting price for the new 308 was set at EUR15.800.