Peugeot 308 1.2 Hybrid 145 GT Premium 5dr e-DSC6

Ten Second Review

Peugeot fits out its 308 with possibly an ideal engine, a self charging hybrid, the 145 e-DSC6 unit we look at here. If you want a 308 but aren't quite ready for it to be fully electrified, this is a variant you have to consider. Other Stellantis Group brands offer this kind of engine too, but this 308 delivers it in this segment with a bit more flair.

Background

For too long, Toyota's Corolla has been virtually unchallenged as almost the only full Hybrid option in the family hatchback segment. Honda Civic e:HEV Hybrid is significantly more expensive and class contenders like Volkswagen's Golf, SEAT's Leon and Skoda's Octavia use only fairly ineffectual mild hybrid tech. But things are changing. The Stellantis Group has developed a full Hybrid engine specifically for this kind of car and we've seen it in this segment in Vauxhall's Astra, Citroen's C4 and in the model we look at here, Peugeot's 308, here reviewed in its usefully updated form. The P5-era third generation 308 really needed this. Prior to this petrol/electric unit's arrival, there was a vast price gulf between the conventional 1.2-litre Puretech engines at one end of the range and the Plug-in Hybrid and full-electric variants at the other. The 308 Hybrid e-DSC6 models plugged that gap, originally offered with 136hp, a figure then uprated to 145hp by the time of this mid-term update. As with the other powerplants, this one is available in both hatch and SW estate body shapes. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Like the Hybrid 2008 small SUV, this self charging 308 uses this e-DSC6 unit only in its faster 145hp form (the 208 supermini has a lesser 110hp version of this unit). As usual with a full-Hybrid, you have to have an auto gearbox, though this is a rather different kind of self-shifting transmission - and not only because it's of the dual-clutch sort and restricted to six speeds. Built into its casing is a DC inverter, an Engine Control Unit and, most significantly, a little 28hp electric motor powered by a tiny battery secreted beneath the front passenger seat. On the move, this motor can work together with this Hybrid model's 1.2-litre petrol engine - or separately from it. And, unlike with a mild hybrid system like that fitted to say, a rival Volkswagen Golf, here the car can be driven for short urban distances (under 18mph) on electric power alone. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the Hybrid system's 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy recuperated by the regenerative braking system. The motor additionally assists the engine under acceleration - such as from standstill to 62mph, which takes 9.3s en route to 130mph.

Design and Build

Apart from specific badgework, there are no obvious styling cues that set this Hybrid 145 version apart. Both hatch and SW estate versions of this third generation 308 have always made a bit of a pavement statement - and do so even more as part of this update, which sees a sleeker nose featuring LED headlamps more hidden in the front face. As part of the front end changes, Peugeot has added an illuminated badge and more body-coloured inserts into the now-sleeker grille. A new 'three-claw' daytime running llight signature replaces the pre-facelift model's vertical bar and the GT models get vertical lighting across the bonnet. More sculpted bumpers and a large air vent aim to improve aerodynamic efficiency too. At the back, all models now get the 3D three-claw rear lights previously only fitted to top-spec GT variants. There are far fewer changes inside, but that always looked quite avant garde and modern - and still does. This update has brought smarter seat fabrics and revised instrument cluster graphics. Otherwise, things are as before, the cabin characterised by Peugeot's usual i-Cockpit dashboard layout with its small steering wheel which sits beneath a very avant garde digital instrument panel, with clever 3D image tech borrowed from the brand's smaller 208 supermini. The tall, sloping fascia features a sharp-looking 10-inch touchscreen display which has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and is available in two forms - basic 'i-Connect' and more sophisticated 'i-Connect plus', which offers widescreen navigation from TomTom. Beneath this monitor is a row of freely configurable touch-sensitive controls, called 'i-Toggles'. Each one offers a shortcut to a major function, such as radio, climate control or 'phone. Out back, the rear cabin is reasonably spacious than before. And boot space for the hatch is rated at 412-litres, better than most class rivals. If you want more, you'll need the alternative SW estate, which offers 608-litres before you start folding seats.

Market and Model

Choosing a petrol/electric 308 in this Hybrid 145 e-DSC6 form is, as expected, vastly more affordable than opting for the Plug-in Hybrid version. Base trim is plush 'Allure'-spec, which requires just under £30,000 from you, over £5,000 less than the equivalent Plug-in Hybrid variant. Then there's 'GT' trim. Top-spec 'GT Premium' trim in Hybrid 145 form will need around £33,500. There's a significant premium (around £1,200) if you want the alternative SW estate body shape. Standard 'Allure' equipment includes a 10-inch digital instrument panel display as part of the Peugeot 'i-Cockpit' dash set-up, 17-inch alloy wheels, voice recognition, LED-based headlights, auto wipers, rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, automatic air conditioning and LED signature 'claw effect' rear lights. Active safety brake autonomous braking is also standard. Plus there's rear privacy glass, a reversing camera, a drive mode system and Connected 3D navigation. 'GT' spec gives you 'Isabella' part-faux leather upholstery, a 3D digital instrument panel display, 18-inch 'Kamakura' alloy wheels and a dark chrome chequered radiator grille, flanked by full-Matrix LED headlights. Plus there's adaptive cruise control with a stop & go function.

Cost of Ownership

This 308's self-charging Hybrid powertrain can operate more than 50% of the time in zero-emission all-electric mode during low-speed urban cruising, offering improved fuel economy of up to 15% for fewer trips to the pumps, and a reduction in CO2 of up to 19g/km for this 308 when compared to the old PureTech 130 EAT8 engine. The actual figures are up to 62.6mpg on the combined cycle and up to 102g/km of CO2. Thanks to the CO2 reduction, the Hybrid powertrain has a reduced rate of Vehicle Excise Duty and a lower rate of Benefit-in-Kind Tax for company car drivers. But of course that's nothing like as good a tax return as you'd get from the E-308 full-Electric model Peugeot really wants to sell you, which like all EVs, is BiK-rated at just 3% - until 2026 anyway. This Peugeot Hybrid's petrol engine has been optimised for efficiency and operates in the Miller combustion cycle. This thermodynamic cycle is enabled by the variable geometry turbocharger, which enhances performance at low rpm, and variable valve timing. A belt-driven starter combines with the e-motor to start the petrol engine from cold. The belt-starter also restarts the engine quickly and seamlessly while driving. As for peace of mind, well there's the usual unremarkable Peugeot three year 60,000 mile warranty. Insurance starts at group 20E.

Summary

As we said when reviewing other Stellantis Group models fitted with this engine, a 308 with this self charging Hybrid unit probably now represents the sweet spot in the range. You won't get the eye-catching tax-beating BiK tax returns of a Plug-in Hybrid 308, but there's a vast up-front price saving to compensate for that. There's not the ecological smugness you'd get from running an E-308, but with this 308 Hybrid 145, there's a great price saving. And the relief of being able to without the EV variant's curse of range anxiety. In a car that half the time in urban use would probably run mainly on battery power. What would make us pause a little though, would be the knowledge that exactly the same powerplant is available for quite a lot less in the Citroen C4. But if the extra style and greater driver focus of the 308 points you Peugeot's way, we'd understand.