New Peugeot 308 voted 2014 “Car of the Year” in Europe

MANILA, Philippines - Last March 3, 2014, at the 84th Geneva Motor Show, the new Peugeot 308 was crowned with the prestigious title of 2014 “Car of the Year,” awarded by a jury of journalists representing 22 European countries.

Thirty new models from American, Korean, European and Japanese manufacturers, on sale in Europe during 2013, were eligible for the 2014 “Car of the Year” award. The new 308 is the fourth Peugeot model to garner the “Car of the Year” award, behind the success of the 307 (2002), the 405 (1988) and the 504 (1969). Produced at Sochaux, the brand’s historic cradle, the new 308 was launched in Europe during the last four months of 2013.

The 2014 “Car of the Year” title represents the most prestigious recognition for the 308, which embodies the brand’s values of excellence, in terms of its design, elegant and dynamic, efficient concept based on an advanced approach to weight reduction, driving experience with its innovative instruments and controls (the i-Cockpit) playing a part and quality of the highest level.

With more than 55,000 orders recorded since the launch of the model; the new 308 is contributing towards the brand’s move upmarket, confirmed by the mix of the orders, 48 percent of which are for the upper trim levels in its range.

From the start of spring, the new 308 range will be expanded by the introduction of a second body style: the 308 SW, a classy and spacious estate which, like the hatchback, takes only its name from its predecessor.

To the nine engines available at launch—four petrol, five diesel with particularly restrained fuel consumption—will be added at the same time, the exceptional PureTech 3-cylinder 1.2 e-THP 130hp turbo petrol engine as well as three BlueHDi engines, including the new BlueHDi 1.6 litre 120hp version with CO2 emissions of just 82g/km—a r ecord in the segment.

Receiving the award from Hakan Matson, the president of the jury, Maxime Picat, Peugeot Brand CEO declared, “With the new Peugeot 308, we were convinced that we had achieved a leap in concept, technology and quality and which would soon allow it a place on the podium for the category in Europe. The prestigious 2014 “Car of the Year” award, which I receive today in the names of all of those that contributed towards the development and launch of the model, is the best confirmation of this.”