Peugeot has seen demand grow

PEUGEOT has seen demand grow, year-on-year, for its ultra-efficient range of PureTech three-cylinder petrol engines since it was first launched with the new 208 and turbo-charged versions on the 308 from last year, which have seen a significant rise in sales by 252 per cent. This sales performance is being backed by the well-liked ‘Driving Sensations’ TV advertising campaign, with demand for petrol versions anticipated to continue growing during 2015, supplemented by an expanding choice in the model range.

PureTech is the Brand name for PEUGEOT’s new range of 3-cylinder petrol units, incorporating the efficiency with 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated, and 1.2-litre turbocharged. The PureTech engine range now powers the 108, 208, 2008, 308, 3008 & 5008 models. The engine is the latest in a long line of powertrain innovations, designed to produce big performance from small-capacity powerplants. At the heart of its appeal is optimised combustion, in harmony with ‘fun to drive’ dynamics.

PEUGEOT’s reputation for outstanding diesel technology is well-known and established over a 50-year period, but PureTech customers are recognising that petrol power can be just as rewarding to drive and very cost-effective to own.  Nowhere is this more obvious than on the PEUGEOT 308, where sales of petrol models were up by a staggering 252% during 2014. Largely attributed to PureTech, demand has moved from a diesel-dominated position in 2013, with only 6% of total sales credited to petrol, to 16% in 2014, with an increase from 14% to 31% in the retail sector alone.

This growth is expected to continue during 2015 with the arrival in showrooms of two key PEUGEOT 308 models – GT Line and Sportium – both of which are available with PureTech petrol engines.

The 308 GT Line capitalises on the styling of the range-topping 308 GT, with desirable features including; 18-inch ‘Diamant’ alloy wheels and twin exhausts, housed within the black lacquered rear diffuser. On the inside, sports seats and leather steering wheel are both enhanced with red stitching.

Powered by a 1.2-litre PureTech 130 petrol engine with Stop & Start (S&S) technology, and mated to a new, highly-efficient, six-speed manual transmission, the 308 GT Line Hatchback offers an official combined cycle fuel economy of 61.4mpg,  with CO₂ emissions at only 110g/km. This model is priced at just £21,445 on-the-road, with a six-speed automatic variant at £22,445.