Peugeot Adds Six-Speed Auto Option to 308 CC 1.6 Turbo with 156HP

About a week after the announcement on the availability of a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel with 112HP on the 308 CC, Peugeot is further expanding the UK range of its coupe-convertible model with the launch of a new model that combines the 156HP 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The new model will replace the 308 CC with the 140-horsepower strong 1.6-liter Turbo and the outdated 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The more powerful engine and the new transmission significantly improve the 308 CC's performance figures with the sprint from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) now taking 9.8 seconds instead of 12.4 seconds and the 0-1,000m in 31 seconds instead of the 140HP model's 33.5 seconds.

Similarly, the new automatic version of the hardtop convertible reaches a higher top speed of 211 km/h or 131mph, up from 204km/h or 127mph.

Despite the power increase and the improved acceleration numbers, the new 308 CC Automatic is more frugal than its predecessor returning a combined economy figure of 36.6mpg UK or 7.7 lt/100km (140HP Auto: 34.8mpg or 8.1 lt/100km).

The 308 CC THP 156HP Automatic is on sale now in the UK with prices starting from £23,595 on-the-road. Unlike the outgoing THP 140 automatic model which was only available in SE trim level, the new model is available in both SE and GT trim levels.

New Peugeot 408 Sedan Breaks Cover in China

French carmaker Peugeot took the wraps off its new China-made 408 sedan in Beijing on Monday. Despite its name, the 408 is not a successor to the European 407, which is also available in China, but a long-wheelbase (+100mm), sedan version of Peugeot's 308 range that includes three and five-door hatchback, coupe-convertible and station wagon models.

Designed and developed jointly by Peugeot's Styling teams in Europe and China, the 408 is the fruit of work by the joint venture set up between PSA Peugeot Citroen and the Chinese group DFM.

The 408 measures 4.68 meters in length, 1.81 meter in width and has a wheelbase of 2.71 meters, meaning it's roughly the same size as the 407 sedan (4.69m, 1.81m and 2.72m respectively).

At launch, the 408 sedan will be available in China with a choice of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline engines producing 106HP and 147HP respectively.

The sedan is being produced at the Wuhan plant in Hubei province in China with Peugeot expecting full-year sales target of 100,000 units.

Peugeot 308CC Hardtop Convertible gets New 1.6-Liter HDi Diesel Engine

The 308 CC is the first model in the Peugeot range to benefit from the French firm's new 1.6-liter HDi FAP turbo diesel engine that meets the requirements of the new Euro 5 emission standards.

Its maximum output is 112 horsepower at 3,600 rpm or 2HP more than the current 1.6L diesel. Peak torque is also up at 270 Nm or 199.2 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm, an increase of 12.5% over the current unit, and during overboost, 285 Nm compared to 260 Nm.

Peugeot said that between this new 1.6 litre HDi and its same displacement predecessor, more than 50 % of the parts have been entirely redesigned resulting to more power as well as noise reduction, better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

As with the its predecessor, the new 1.6 litre HDi comes as standard with a diesel particulate emission filter (FAP) with a service life of 112,000 miles.

Paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, the new diesel propels the 308CC from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in a modest 12.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 119mph or 191 km/h, while returning a combined fuel economy in the EU cycle of 53.3 mpg UK (5.3 lt/100km or 44.4 mpg US).

The new engine will be available in the 308 CC in both Sport and SE trim levels and will be known as the HDi 112. Prices start at £21,095.00 on-the-road.