Peugeot is ready to leave the current generation 308 out in the cold, with a new model ready to jump in its place. Logic and previous history will tell us that the new model will be called 309, but back in 1993, Peugeot was selling a car in Europe by that name and that turned out to be a "not so successful car." Not to have that negative air to surround their new model, Peugeot has decided to name their new model the 301. We’ve already gotten our first glimpse of the new 308 back in November 2011, and now the vehicle is out again, this time for its cold weather testing somewhere in Sweden.
The Peugeot 301 will be built on a new platform shared with the Citroen C4 and DS4. Compared to the model it replaces, it will be shorter as well as wider and will be lighter and more agile than the new 208.
The 301’s engine line-up will also be shared with the Citroen models and includes a wide range of both petrol and diesel engines, as well as a diesel hybrid. Peugeot will also be adding engines from the new three-cylinder family under the short bonnet.
As for the exterior design, it is believed it will be a mixture between the 208 and the SR1 Concept.
Expect to see the new Peugeot 301 launched sometime in 2013.
Talk about a bombshell.
French automaker and Le Mans powerhouse PSA Peugeot Citroen has announced that Peugeot will be dropping out of Le Mans racing indefinitely. The news was first reported by Reuters, saying that the French manufacturer will be solely concentrating all their efforts on improving their sales figures for 2012, thus dropping any other endeavors, including in motorsports.
In a press release sent to the media, Peugeot confirmed this stunning turn of events, saying that "this decision has been taken against the backdrop of the challenging economic environment in Europe coupled with a particularly busy year for the Brand in terms of new vehicle launches."
The news that Peugeot is dropping out of Le Mans comes as a shock to a lot of racing fans, particularly those that have seen and witnessed the company’s recent dominance in the series, as well as its well-chronicled rivalry with Audi.
We’re not quite sure how the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans is going to play out now that one of the perennial contenders has withdrawn their entry to the field, but Audi is probably uncorking a bottle of champagne.
Just like every other model in Peugeot’s line-up, the 5008 MPV is also preparing to enter its second generation. It was first launched back in 2009 and its success was almost instantaneous. That being said, Peugeot has to keep up with the times in order for that success to continue.
The new 5008 will be based on a new platform that appears to be slightly wider than the current one, illustrated by the testing mule’s wider fenders. Other changes seen in the spy shots include five wheel bolts instead of the current four and the location of the fuel cap (it has switched sides). But no matter what changes are being done on the exterior, the 5008 will get bigger dimensions, especially on the inside. This will allow up to seven people the room that they need.
The engine line-up will be shared with the upcoming 301, the successor to the 308, which means a wide range of diesel and petrol engines as well as a diesel-hybrid. Just like with every other model in the line-up, Peugeot will be focusing on reducing fuel consumption and Co2 emissions.
Peugeot is preparing to put to an end their small 308 hatchback and they are already working on the car’s successor. Logic and previous history will tell us that the new model will be called 309, but back in 1993, Peugeot was selling a car in Europe by that name and that turned out to be a "not so successful car." Not to have that negative air to surround their new model, Peugeot has decided to name their new model the "301."
The upcoming 301 will be built on the same platform as the Citroen C4 and DS4, meaning that, compared to the 308, it will be slightly shorter but also wider. Peugeot will also work on making the car both lighter and more agile. Engines will be shared with the Citroen model as well as some new ones from the 208, meaning a wide range of both petrol and diesel engines with power ranging from 68 to 110 HP. The new 301 will also offer a diesel hybrid version and some engines from the new three-cylinder family.
As for its exterior appearance, the model will combine design elements from the 208 and the SR1 Concept car revealing a more elegant and compact body then the current 308.
The Peugeot 301 will be revealed in 2013 as a competitor for the Volkswagen Golf.
Updated 01/27/2012: The upcoming Peugeot 301 has been caught testing once again, this time in winter conditions.
As a response to Opel’s recently launched RAK e Concept, Peugeot has unveiled the VELV Concept in Paris. The VELV is a fuel-efficient electric three-wheeler that offers interior room for three and weighs only 1433 lbs.
The VELV concept delivers a total output of 26 HP and has an autonomy of 62 miles. The concept can hit a top speed of 68 mph and consumes only 85 Wh per kilometer, which means that its environmental footprint is equivalent to that of a train trip. The concept indicates in real time the area that can be covered based on the driving range and identifies charging stations that can be reached with the remaining charge.
The concept is aimed at corporate fleets, traditional rental companies, and self-service schemes like Autolib’, second-car buyers and numerous customers who want a better option for getting around town. It has been designed by Peugeot and Citroen in cooperation with a research laboratory who have joined forces to meet the mobility challenges of tomorrow.
