This is undoubtedly the best Peugeot made in recent years and it is going regain much of the respect, confidence and affection the brand's buyers used to have for this carmaker.
Brand spanking new, from its suave front end to the dual flat chrome exhaust outlets peeking out the back, the 308 is both a visual delight and motoring Eiffel Tower to premium quality, driving pleasure and classy styling. It is only represented by two models in this country and our test car was the flagship model that brags with GT Line badges.
With its power delivered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that pushes out 96 kW and 230 NM it churns out quite a feisty surprise. Power is transferred to the tar via a slick six-speed cog-box which gets it out of the starting stalls and to 100km/h in about 11 seconds and on to a top speed of 207 km/h.
This doesn't make it the most powerful or quickest car in this segment but in the 308's favour this is not about spirited performance but more about the suave way in which it serves it up that counts.
Built on an entirely new, shorter platform which rides on a much better suspension set-up, and having shed about 140kg in weight, the Peugeot feels noticeably more agile through the corners.
Roadholding is good (in spite of its rather dull steering set-up) and the gear-shift is slick and quick - once the driver has mastered the rather quirky clutch movement and the slippery accelerator pedal.
Driven more sedately the Frenchy serves up a quiet, composed ride with occupants cosseted in comfortable, well-insulated and elegantly furnished surroundings. I like the quirky steering wheel nicked from its sibling GTi 208 that adds a bit of zestiness to an otherwise rather grand interior with its comfortable back-and-bum-warming seats, glossy dashboard finishes, remarkably logical and easy to use (for the French) touchscreen infotainment system and logical lay-out of switches and dials.
The fully-adjustable seats make finding the correct driving position easy. Cabin space has also been substantially improved and the leg and headroom is generous.
Overall the living quarters are eye-pleasing and exude a level of quality workmanship one would expect to find in a German car.
The classy interior is a good match for the exterior make-up of the 308 which features 17-inch alloys, LED lights, shiny twin exhaust outlets, prominent black mesh frontage emblazoned with a large Peugeot badge and chrome surroundings, sunken fog lights and an elegantly lined bonnet.
With a good combination of French flair blended with top-level craftsmanship, handsome looks, a long list of safety and comfort features and excellent ride this Peugeot can hold its head up in any company in its class and it's even good enough to step into the ring against some pricier cars.
At R329 900 the 308 GT Line is not cheap but then quality comes at a price and this Peugeot hoists a proud new classy and chic flag for the French company.
