New Peugeot 308 launched

Peugeot has revealed the stylish new 308 hatchback. The French firm's designers have ditched the gaping grille on the current 308 in favour of a cleaner look to bring the family hatch in line with the new Peugeot 508 saloon.

LED driving lights are the other big difference seen on the nose, and overall changes to the front bumper mean an amazing 25kg average weight saving, helping to improve fuel efficiency. The new front end will grace the 308 hatch, SW estate and CC coupé-cabriolet, but at the back, each variant stays the same.

The revamped range also gets a new model: the e-HDi micro-hybrid diesel. This green variant features the 110bhp 1.6 HDi, with stop-start technology and battery regeneration cutting CO2 emissions to a road tax-exempt 98g/km - class leading figures for a family hatchback. New ultra low-resistance tyres also feature, while the aerodynamics are also improved.

Buyers get a choice of four trim levels, ranging from entry-level Access to flagship GT. The latter comes equipped with the 200bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine from the Peugeot RCZ coupé.

The updated 308 is set to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, before going on sale in UK dealers in May. Prices start from £15,245 for the 1.4-litre VTi Access, and rise to £20,000-plus for the CC GT. All models come with air-con, electronic stability control and electric windows as standard.