Peugeot 308 plug-in hybrid EV joining local line-up in 2023

Peugeot has continued its steady electrified build-up in Australia confirming the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version of the new 308 small car in 2023.

Likely to land in the first half of the year, the PHEV five-door hatchback will follow orthodox 308 petrol-turbo ICE hatch and wagon models that start arriving here in late 2022.

The confirmation of the 308 PHEV for Australia follows on from the reveal of the radical 408 crossover and assurances it is also headed our way in 2023.

That car comes with the choice of two PHEVs with a pure electric version also in development.

Peugeot Australia already offers the 508 GT Fastback PHEV and the 3008 SUV PHEV in Australia. But the company says they are only the start of a much stronger EV push.

The 308 GT Sport Hatch Plug-In Hybrid combines a 132kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo with an 81kW electric motor for a combined output of 165kW/360Nm.

It drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Overseas data indicates the sporty flagship will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds and can emit just 26g of CO2 per kilometre, although once the battery has been depleted it will be a lot more than that. It can also cover up to 59km on electric drive alone, thanks to its 12.4kWh battery pack.

No pricing or detailed specification list have been released for the new 308 as yet, although prices are rising and the previous generation car sold from around $35,000 drive-away.

Clearly the PHEV will have a decent price premium, so we’d be expecting a price tag north of $50K.

This is the third generation 308 and it has been on-sale in Europe for almost 12 months.

Its local arrival has been delayed by the global pandemic.

Built in France, the 308 is the latest in a long list of small cars to be offered in Australia by Peugeot.

Apart from the two previous generations bearing the same badge, predecessors include the 307 and the legendary 306.