Drivin' in Czechia
All you need to drive smart in the Czech Republic
Compact cars remain among the best-selling vehicles in Europe. Every new generation of such a vehicle is therefore eagerly awaited, both by customers and manufacturers, for whom commercial success is crucial. And Peugeot is already working on a new generation of the 308, despite the fact that the current version was only recently given a facelift. So what do we already know about the upcoming model from the French brand?
Quite a lot, in fact, because the French magazine L’Argus is well-informed about developments within local carmakers. The new generation of the Peugeot 308 is expected to arrive on the market in 2028, specifically in the autumn. It is likely to make its debut at the 2028 Paris Motor Show, with sales probably beginning in early 2029. As with the current generation, it is expected to be available both as a five-door hatchback and a station wagon. The future of the crossover variant derived from it – the 408 – remains uncertain, though plausible.
While there are no clear details about the design yet, much is already known about the underlying technology. And Peugeot has made an unusual move – although it does make sense. Originally, the new 308 was supposed to use the STLA Medium platform designed for midsize vehicles, such as the compact crossovers Peugeot 3008 and 5008. However, that platform will now be primarily intended for SUVs and mid-size cars. Instead, the next 308 will rely on the still-in-development STLA Small platform, primarily meant for small cars. This solution is intended to lower the future 308’s price, but at the same time, it is expected to be a sufficiently advanced solution, ensuring that the technology remains competitive even among compact cars. The platform is to accommodate vehicles up to roughly 4.3 meters in length.
Electric versions are expected to feature electric motors with output of up to 180 kW and batteries with a capacity of up to 82 kWh, providing a range of up to 500 km on a single charge – not a small number. Aiding this will be new cell technology.
New vehicles for 2026
Let’s take a look at new cars planned for 2026 we already know something about.
One important piece of news is that the STLA Small platform will not be adapted exclusively for electric powertrains, as originally planned. Stellantis must now respond to current trends, where electric vehicles are not achieving the expected sales figures, and so the transition to full electromobility will proceed more slowly.
Specifically, STLA Medium is currently being modified to support hybrid engines as well. These are expected to include a 1.2-liter hybrid three-cylinder petrol engine, already used in the current 308. In addition, the Stellantis group is working on a new generation of full-hybrid systems featuring a three-cylinder engine and dual-clutch transmission, set to debut in the new 308. Compared to the current solution, it is expected to allow longer pure-electric driving, thanks to a larger battery pack and a more powerful electric motor rated at up to 92 kW. Stellantis’ hybrid system will thus be closer to Toyota’s concept than Subaru’s, as is the case with the current version.
It appears that the trends are indeed changing, and internal combustion engine vehicles will remain with us longer than expected. The new Peugeot 308 seems poised to become one of the proofs of that.
