We all know what a perfect Scottish driving road looks like, even those of us who have never been to Scotland. That's because most car manufacturers use this idyllic setting or others like it to sell cars.
Peugeot has ordered a new marketing campaign designed specifically for the UK market that challenges the way things are done. It sets a new tone, a more serious one, where we are indirectly told to stop looking for perfect roads and pretty girls in car commercials. To carry the message, Peugeot enlisted the help of British actor Peter Mullan, whom we've seen in everything from Hercules to Braveheart and Harry Potter.
We like the ad, but it's not quite there, as the idea doesn't tie in perfectly with the tagline "With Confidence. Built In." After all, it's supposed to be about falling in love with the details. We can say roughly the same thing about the car, as the 308 GT is nearly there but not quite.
It's supposedly a hotter version of the regular hatchback and wagon. The competition has swelled in the time Peugeot has been away from the GT market. We are talking about the competent Skoda Octavia that's available with all-wheel drive, the Leon FR, and especially the Ford Focus ST, which is available as diesel as well.
The GT is more of a rapid car in which to cover long distances. While it does come with more standard equipment, the starting price of about 25,000 pounds pushes it past the 1 Series and right to the edge of BMW 3 Series territory. The 308 GT is available with a 180 horsepower 2.0 BlueHDI or a 1.6-liter petrol with 200 ponies. We'd pick the latter, as it makes a better compromise with the fake engine sound piped through the speakers.
Mark Pickles, Marketing Director at Peugeot UK, commented, "We have enjoyed formulating this UK campaign as we are entirely confident in the excellence of our products and simply wish to convey this sentiment to our prospective customers. PEUGEOT is a highly trustworthy brand and with so many virtues on offer. We are looking at ways to bring our products to the scrutiny of people who might otherwise be distracted by the promises of other brands when the values of what we offer are in fact better, more valued and of higher quality. The new ad is provocative intentionally."
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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