301

[sirwiggum]

Not for us mind, as people here would rather their saloons are german

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/paris ... n-revealed

From the front it looks good, like a smaller 508, from the rear 3/4 though it looks like a compressed Superb, bit slab sided.

[sirwiggum]

And a bit of info as to why it is a 1

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/indus ... -structure

I suppose 308 is taken and 309 was the 80s hatchback. 1 is a logical successor.

Keeping names across generations works for everyone else I suppose, but it gave an indiciation of the logical successors and predecessors to a family line (eg. 405-406-407) though 309 was a bit of an oddball, sitting below the 305 which itself was a small 405.

[rwb]

Keeping names across generations works for everyone else

I wonder whether this helps with brand loyalty.
Would the 407s have been more successful if it was a 406 mk 3, or even a 405 mk4?

That 301 actually looks very nice. Put some toys on it for the european market and get the tax and insurance down and I'd have thought that it would make a good proposition in the "compact executive" sector -- certainly compared to the miserable poverty spec 316d.

[sirwiggum]

But with keeping names, things get out of hand. Toyota claimed the Corolla was the most popular car in the world, but a modern Corolla (as sold in Ireland) is nothing like the original Corolla. Also, in the pub "I've got a 406 / I've got a 407" you know where you stand. Whereas say someone could buy a mk1 C5 for £500 and have the "same" car as someone who has bought a brand new C5 exclusive.

I thought the 301 would be a good alternative to the Octavia.

If it is for developing markets it will be cheap, reliable and have good suspension. Exactly what I want in a car!

[FarmerPug]

Its not a bad looking car, but peugeot is still sort of retaining the open mouth grille. Although when viewed from the side it looks identical to a superb

301 makes me think of the 1930's peugeots, by 2080 will peugeot be making the 205 again?

[kevtherev]

autocar said
peugot claim the car has undergone extensive development in a number of countries and climates around the world to ensure it can have a comfortable ride quality on the likely broken surfaces of the roads of countries its set to be sold in

suit the u.k market down to the ground then!!

[CountryPug]

It's a little bit square, especially at the back but I quite like it overall, sort of reminds me of the 306 sedan. I'm guessing that's part of the reason why they aren't offering it here, many modern folk prefer the versatility of a hatchback rather than a rear lid these days. Must say the interior looks pretty sorted, nice flat bottomed steering wheel for a bit of racyness

[Doggy]

Hmmm....'emerging markets' (AKA developing countries), explains why it won't be coming here - PSA clearly support my view that we're off to hell in a 'big society' hand-cart.

301 looks OK though.

[OdinEidolon]

Just tell me why good saloons will not come to the EU?
The Fiat Linea first, which is probably the only Fiat car I really like, then this 301 which looks brilliant if compared to other modern saloons.

By the way the new naming scheme is just utterly stupid.

Also IMHO Peugeot has to bring its image back where it was some years ago. They should build a limited-edition 25-30k£ Atom-like (sub 500kg, 1.6LVTi 200hp engine) two seater and sell it as the "001".
Just for competitions, but road legal. If Ariel can do it, why not Peugeot? It'd raise Peugeot's sport standars a lot, since it seems they are not able to build something as good as a 205GTI / 106 Rallye / 306GTI6 / 405TI16 anymore

[CountryPug]

Also IMHO Peugeot has to bring its image back where it was some years ago. They should build a limited-edition 25-30k£ Atom-like (sub 500kg, 1.6LVTi 200hp engine) two seater and sell it as the "001".
Just for competitions, but road legal. If Ariel can do it, why not Peugeot? It'd raise Peugeot's sport standars a lot, since it seems they are not able to build something as good as a 205GTI / 106 Rallye / 306GTI6 / 405TI16 anymore

Not totally sure about an Atom type project but they need to produce 'sport' specials again, look how well Renaultsport have done with their Clios, Meganes, Twingos in recent times. I feel this new 208 GTi is the perfect platform to do it on, offer it in 2 tune stages like the 205 used to be, lets say a 175bhp like the 205 1.6 and a 200bhp range topper like the 205 1.9. Then after a year bring out a limited edition 250bhp version that'll keep up with the Renault boys and another 175bhp version with wind up windows, no aircon, steel wheels and a cassette player and call it a Rallye. If Pug want to get back into the sportyness sector they need to properly commit to it.

P.S. A WRC wouldn't hurt either to add some kudos

[OdinEidolon]

Also IMHO Peugeot has to bring its image back where it was some years ago. They should build a limited-edition 25-30k£ Atom-like (sub 500kg, 1.6LVTi 200hp engine) two seater and sell it as the "001".
Just for competitions, but road legal. If Ariel can do it, why not Peugeot? It'd raise Peugeot's sport standars a lot, since it seems they are not able to build something as good as a 205GTI / 106 Rallye / 306GTI6 / 405TI16 anymore

Not totally sure about an Atom type project but they need to produce 'sport' specials again, look how well Renaultsport have done with their Clios, Meganes, Twingos in recent times. I feel this new 208 GTi is the perfect platform to do it on, offer it in 2 tune stages like the 205 used to be, lets say a 175bhp like the 205 1.6 and a 200bhp range topper like the 205 1.9. Then after a year bring out a limited edition 250bhp version that'll keep up with the Renault boys and another 175bhp version with wind up windows, no aircon, steel wheels and a cassette player and call it a Rallye. If Pug want to get back into the sportyness sector they need to properly commit to it.

P.S. A WRC wouldn't hurt either to add some kudos

Yeah but then what Pug needs now is some hype on the "sporty" side of things, and the Renault RS range does not do that. It could be done by putting out a very good WRC car but then developing a car such an Atom is cheaper, more effective and has more impact on the market. Just see how much hype Ariel has gathered in a few years time, it would be a first for a major manifacturer to put out this kind of car, I'm sure it'd produce much interest.

I have the feeling that the newly introduced 208 GTI is a step in the right direction but they are not there yet by far. Reviews say it's still outhandled by a Fiesta (best handling car of the segment, excluding stupidly expensive german stuff) so Pug has got to hurry up.

[sirwiggum]

Big Pugs of old used to be regarded as French Mercedeses.

They need to get their engineering and QA up with Japanese levels these days to get that reputation (even Merc have gone downhill)

[FarmerPug]

Mercs are not the car they used to be, i sat in a new s class its a nice car plenty of techy gadgets but if you look past them all the build quality is just about average, since the w124 they havent really made anything as strong, back in the day a merc felt considerably better than other cars but now that difference doesn't exist.

[rwb]

You pays your money you takes your choice.

With my money I choose a comfy seat and a lot of toys, and this mean French.

[OdinEidolon]

You pays your money you takes your choice.

With my money I choose a comfy seat and a lot of toys, and this mean French.

As for what concerns comfy seats... Volvo all the way!
If I had to buy a new car I'd probably get another 406, a 607, an S60 or a II series 166 (just because it is gorgeous inside out)

For the comfort the Volvo and the 607 would probably be overall on par, maybe the 607 is a little more refined and has more toys.