Peugeot 408 Sedan Production Begins in South America

Following on from the launch and the start of production of the new 408 sedan in China earlier this year, Peugeot announced on Monday that it has begun building the compact saloon at the PSA Peugeot Citroën Palomar factory, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Not to be confused with the larger 508, the VW Jetta-sized 408 is the sedan variant of the Peugeot 308 family which includes hatchback, station wagon and coupe-convertible body styles.

The 408 will have its South American premiere at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil at the end of October. Aside from Argentina and Brazil, the compact sedan will also go on sale in 25 other Latin American countries.

Peugeot did not release any information on the powertrain options for the South American spec model. In China, the 408 is offered with a choice of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline engines producing 106HP and 147HP respectively.

Peugeot Tries to Challenge Golf GTI with New 308 GTi 200HP

The GTI badge isn't dead for Peugeot after all. Despite previous reports from certain media outlets in the UK, the French firm has just launched a new 308 GTi sport hatchback model for the European market.

Available exclusively as a 5-door model (at least for the time being), the new 308 GTi gets the same 1.6-liter THP engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger found on other PSA Peugeot and Citroen and MINI products, including Peugeot's own RCZ sports coupe.

It produces an output of 200-horsepower available from 5,500 to 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 275 Nm or 202.8 lb-ft between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Peugeot says that the 308 GTi accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.7 seconds, while it completes the 1,000m sprint in 27.8 seconds and returns an average fuel consumption of 6.9 lt/100km or 34.1mpg US with 159 g/km of CO2.

The car's chassis has also been adapted to match the characteristics of the engine featuring a new suspension and steering wheel system setup, a 10mm lower ride height and 340 mm diameter brake discs at the front and 290 mm at the rear. The 308 GTi rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/40 R18 sport tires.

The styling upgrades over the standard 308 are rather subtle and include a bright black carbon-style insert under the front bumper, a lower front panel derived from the 308 CC, roof spoiler, a rear diffuser finished in Perla Nera black, GTI badges and twin chrome exhaust pipes.

Distinctive interior features include sports seats at the front, aluminum foot rest and gear knob, leather sport steering wheel with a flattened bottom and thumb rests, and piano black fascia trim.

In France, the 308 GTi will be launched on the10th June, with prices starting from €26,900.

Peugeot 308CC Hardtop Convertible gets New 1.6-Liter HDi Diesel Engine

The 308 CC is the first model in the Peugeot range to benefit from the French firm's new 1.6-liter HDi FAP turbo diesel engine that meets the requirements of the new Euro 5 emission standards.

Its maximum output is 112 horsepower at 3,600 rpm or 2HP more than the current 1.6L diesel. Peak torque is also up at 270 Nm or 199.2 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm, an increase of 12.5% over the current unit, and during overboost, 285 Nm compared to 260 Nm.

Peugeot said that between this new 1.6 litre HDi and its same displacement predecessor, more than 50 % of the parts have been entirely redesigned resulting to more power as well as noise reduction, better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

As with the its predecessor, the new 1.6 litre HDi comes as standard with a diesel particulate emission filter (FAP) with a service life of 112,000 miles.

Paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, the new diesel propels the 308CC from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in a modest 12.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 119mph or 191 km/h, while returning a combined fuel economy in the EU cycle of 53.3 mpg UK (5.3 lt/100km or 44.4 mpg US).

The new engine will be available in the 308 CC in both Sport and SE trim levels and will be known as the HDi 112. Prices start at £21,095.00 on-the-road.

Peugeot Releases Official Photos of RCZ Sports Coupe

These are the first official photos of the Peugeot RCZ sports coupe that will be unveiled for the first time to the public in its final form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Though the 2+2 seater coupe is not fully reveled in any of the photos, there's no doubt that the final production model keeps the original concept's styling right up to the double-bubble rear windshield and roof panel. The French automaker had shown the 308 RCZ concept model in 2007 at the Frankfurt motorshow.

The RCZ that will be the first model in Peugeot's range not to use the usual 'zero' or 'double-zero' numbering system is slated to enter production in Spring 2010.

Details on the engine-lineup are still sketchy but it is expected that the 'French TT' will make use of the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen co-developed, twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which will be offered with various outputs, including a version with 218HP.

We also expect to see Pug's diesel engines including the new 2.0-liter four pot with 163HP and 340Nm of torque that recently made its way in the 407 Coupe.

VIDEO: Peugeot's Funky Nude Parade Surprises Londoners

The things marketers and advertisers come up with to capture the attention of consumers, never cease to amaze us. To celebrate the launch of the new 308CC coupe-convertible in the U.K., Peugeot decided to offer Londoners a 'rude' wake-up call in the morning rush hour with a team of 308 seemingly naked people wearing only a blue scarf. However, to the dismay of many, Peugeot's commuters weren't actually naked as they were wearing specially made bodysuits mimicking the color of the human skin. Check out Peugeot's "naked" commuters in action in the video after the jump.

Peugeot Reveals UK Pricing on 308 CC, Announces Special Edition GT100

The all-new Peugeot 308 CC will go on sale in the UK on the 1st of June with prices starting from £19,495 for the entry-level 1.6-liter VTi 120 Sport model. However, Peugeot announced that it will precede the coupe-convertible's main launch by offering a total of 100 special edition models from May. The 308 CC GT100s are exclusive to the UK and come with equipped with Peugeot's 150HP-strong 1.6-liter turbocharged engine.

Priced at £23,595, the 308 CC GT100 will be available with a choice of Nera Black or Pearl White (50 units each). On top of the GT trim, the special edition model comes equipped with the "Electric Package" that includes electric seat adjustment, 'GT100' carpet mats, 'GT100' chrome door sills and GT100 badging.

The main range of the 308 CC consists of three different trims, Sport, SE and GT. The Sport model is available with the 120HP 1.6-litre petrol and the 110HP 1.6-liter HDi diesel engines, priced at £19,495 and £20,495 respectively. The standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, black / grey Sports cloth trim, a radio-CD player with 6 speakers & audio remote control, air-condition, leather steering wheel, six-airbags and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme that includes ABS, EBFD & EBA).

The 308 CC SE model can be specified with all petrol (VTi 120HP, THP 150HP or THP 140HP with automatic gearbox) and diesel engines (HDi 110HP, HDi 140HP or HDi 136HP with automatic transmission).

Additional specification over the Sport model includes larger 17-inch alloy wheels, the Visibility Pack (automatic rain sensing front wipers, automatic headlamps and an electrochrome rear view mirror), ambient lighting, rear parking aid, cruise control with speed limiter, climate control air conditioning, alarm and an upgrade stereo. Prices for the SE start from £20,395 for the 1.6 VTi 120HP.

Finally, the range-topping GT model can be specified with the petrol THP 150HP or HDi 140HP diesel engine. Extra features over the SE include leather trim, a windstop, Airwave neck heating system, 18-inch alloys, tire pressure sensor, front and rear parking aid and Peugeot's Connect HiFi (JBL HiFi pack). Prices for the 308 CC GT are set at £23,495 for the petrol version and at £24,295 for the diesel.