New Peugeot four-wheel drive

Peugeot has unveiled a four-wheel drive 308 R hatchback model, equipped with a plug-in petrol hybrid unit boasting 500 bhp. It has been presented not as a concept car, but as a production car of the future.

Offering truly extraordinary performance, the Peugeot 308 R Hybrid model borrows design codes from the Peugeot Quartz concept car, first unveiled in 2012. Cloaked in an intensely blue paint, specially developed using fluorescent pigments and glass particles, the rear doors are matte black, a trademark of performance cars from Peugeot.

The powertrain combines three sources of power: a 4-cylinder petrol 1.6L THP 270 S&S engine, with the highest special power rating in the world for this engine size; an electric motor with power of 85 kW/115 bhp, linked to the 6-speed gearbox; an electric motor with the same characteristics on the rear axle.

The result, apparently, is astounding. Developing 500 bhp with four-wheel drive, the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid has its speed limited electronically at 250 kph, delivers 0 to 100 kph in 4.0 seconds and covering 1,000m from a standing start in 22 seconds. In spite of all that, CO2 emissions are just 70 g/km.

Jean-Philippe Delaire, Head of Development of the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid powertrain, Peugeot Sport said: “If we were able to reach this kind of performance on a segment C vehicle, it is all down to our passion for a challenge and our desire for excellence.”

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