Peugeot 308 more price friendly

Competitive pricing in New Zealand has always been a battle for the European car manufacturers and importers.

Sime Darby, the Peugeot distributors here, have just made a major price adjustment across their line-up. Put simply, the prices are far more buyer-friendly, while the level of specification hasn't been sacrificed significantly.

And on top of that there's a facelifted 308 now on showroom floors. The changes aren't dramatic, but there's a shorter nose, different air inlets, and new bumpers front and rear. The changes combine to produce a sleeker, sharper shape, and with bold 17in wheels the 308 imparts a dynamic, sporty look.

The 308 range now starts here at $29,990 and ends at $45,990 for the 2-litre turbocharged diesel in both hatchback and wagon form. The car this evaluation focuses on is the $41,990, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol model. The entry-level car has the same engine sans turbocharger, but the boosted version with its 115kW and 240Nm engine adds around 27kW and 80Nm to the standard unit.

Because of its turbocharged boost it has strong mid-range urge and flexibility. Peugeot have fitted the 308 with a six-speed automatic transmission, they are quick to point out the transmission's links to Porsche and the sequential shifting system is a particularly nice unit with quick and smooth shifts.

The engine bursts from gear to gear and pulls solidly. You can feel the surge of the turbocharger and if you listen carefully you can capture the sound of the exhaust expiring out the turbocharger wastegate as the revs drop between gear changes. The latter is rather enticing and promotes enthusiastic motoring when conditions allow.

Against the stopwatch the turbo petrol 308 will accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h in 9sec and it will make 120km/h from 80km/h in 5.5sec. These are credible performance figures and combine with healthy fuel usage figures.

Peugeot claim a 6.7-litre per 100km (42mpg) combined consumption. That's a bold claim but I wouldn't dispute it, for my time with the test car averaged consistently at around 8l/100km (35mpg) with a 6.2l/100km (46mpg) readout sitting at the 100km/h legal limit. The engine is quite relaxed at that speed turning over at just 2300rpm in sixth gear.

At highway speed the 308 cruises confidently and quietly, there's barely any noise off the tyres and wind gushes are kept to a minimum. It rides with supple suspension control; Christchurch's roads are the perfect testing ground for any suspension following the never-ending series of earthquakes. Every time I take my daughter to her friend's place at Sumner I can't help but think how badly affected the roads are from Ferry Rd east. Yet, the 308 supports occupant comfort, the suspension absorbs the worst of the ruts and bumps while utilising the spring and damper rates required for purposeful handling.

I particularly like the steering feel, the movement off-centre is strong and delivers positive information as to what the tyres (225/45) are doing in a corner while directional accuracy is constantly maintained.

Sime Darby have done a lot of homework in setting up their models for 2012. Their aim is to sell over 1000 units this year and it's fine cars like the 308 that will help them reach that goal.

As much as I enjoyed the 308's spirited turbocharged engine and fabulous underpinnings, it won't rate with me as the perfect car. My daughter complained on more than one occasion of banging her head on the roof line as she was getting in and out; she is tall, but the streamlined shape means there is quite a bit of bending needed on her behalf. Also, on a similar note, the sharp corner on the upper door frame accounted for a large bruise on my chest when the wind blew the door shut as I was getting out.

Nevertheless, you would quickly become used to its idiosyncrasies, and with the lower prices the 308 has become just that little bit more desirable.