2024 (24) Peugeot 308 1.2 Hybrid 136 GT 5dr e-DSC6

Peugeot's 308 hatch makes more sense in self-charging Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 form, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Review

Peugeot fits out its 308 with possibly an ideal engine, a self charging hybrid, the 136 e-DSC6 unit we look at here. If you want a 308 but aren't quite ready for it to be fully electrified, this is a variant you have to consider. Other Stellantis Group brands offer this kind of engine too, but this 308 delivers it in this segment with a bit more flair.

Background

For too long, Toyota's Corolla has been virtually unchallenged as almost the only full Hybrid option in the family hatchback segment. Honda Civic e:HEV Hybrid is significantly more expensive and class contenders like Ford's Focus, Hyundai's i30, Volkswagen's Golf, SEAT's Leon and Skoda's Octavia use only fairly ineffectual mild hybrid tech. But things are changing. The Stellantis Group has developed a full Hybrid engine specifically for this kind of car and we've now seen it in this segment in Vauxhall's Astra, Citroen's C4 and in the model we look at here, Peugeot's 308. The 308 range really needed this. Prior to this petrol/electric unit's arrival, there was a vast price gulf between the conventional 1.2-litre Puretech engines at one end of the range and the Plug-in Hybrid and full-electric variants at the other. The 308 Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 models plug that gap and, as with the other powerplants, are available in both hatch and SW estate body shapes. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Like the Hybrid 2008 small SUV, this self charging 308 uses this e-DSC6 unit only in its faster 136hp form (the 208 supermini has a lesser 100hp version of this unit). As usual with a full-Hybrid, you have to have an auto gearbox, though this is a rather different kind of self-shifting transmission - and not only because it's of the dual-clutch sort and restricted to six speeds. Built into its casing is a DC inverter, an Engine Control Unit and, most significantly, a little 28hp electric motor powered by a tiny battery secreted beneath the front passenger seat. On the move, this motor can work together with this Hybrid model's 1.2-litre petrol engine - or separately from it. And, unlike with a mild hybrid system like that fitted to say, a rival Volkswagen Golf, here the car can be driven for short urban distances (under 18mph) on electric power alone. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the Hybrid system's 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy recuperated by the regenerative braking system. The motor additionally assists the engine under acceleration - such as from standstill to 62mph, which takes 9.3s en route to 130mph.

Design and Build

Apart from specific badgework, there are no obvious styling cues that set this Hybrid 136 version apart. This third generation 308 certainly makes a pavement statement. There are hatch and SW estate body styles, both of which have plenty of overtaking presence. There's a long bonnet and a low nose bearing the latest Peugeot badge on its grille. Flanking this are slim LED headlights complemented by Peugeot's fang-like LED daytime running lights. At the rear, there are tail lights with three 'claw' style lighting elements.  Inside, there's Peugeot's i-Cockpit layout with its small steering wheel, which sits beneath a digital instrument panel, which can feature clever 3D image tech borrowed from the brand's smaller 208 supermini. The tall, sloping dashboard features a sharp-looking 10-inch touchscreen display which has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and offers widescreen navigation from TomTom. Bottom of Form Beneath this monitor is a row of freely configurable touch-sensitive controls, called 'i-Toggles'. Each one offers a shortcut to a major function, such as radio, climate control or 'phone. Back seat space (just about enough for two adults) is about average for the class. Unlike with the PHEV version, you don't have to accept a reduction in boot capacity because of battery placement beneath the floor. So there's the usual 412-litre 308 boot capacity in the hatch (instead of 368-litres in the PHEV version) and 608-litres in the SW estate.

Market and Model

Choosing a petrol/electric 308 in this Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 form is, as expected, vastly more affordable than opting for the Plug-in Hybrid version. It helps that the Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 can be ordered with base 'Active' trim (for around £29,000 at the time of introduction), but most will want to stretch at least as far as mid-range 'Allure'-spec, which requires around £30,500 from you, around £7,500 less than the equivalent Plug-in Hybrid variant. Even top-spec 'GT' trim will need less than £33,000. There's a big premium (around £2,200) if you want the alternative SW estate body shape. Standard equipment, even with base 'Active' trim, includes a 10-inch digital instrument panel display as part of the Peugeot 'i-Cockpit' dash set-up, 16-inch alloy wheels, voice recognition, LED-based headlights, auto wipers, rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, automatic air conditioning and LED signature 'claw effect' rear lights. Active safety brake autonomous braking is also standard. 'Allure' spec adds larger 17-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, a reversing camera, a drive mode system and Connected 3D navigation. 'GT' spec gives you 'Isabella' part-faux leather upholstery, a 3D digital instrument panel display, 18-inch 'Kamakura' alloy wheels and a dark chrome chequered radiator grille, flanked by full-Matrix LED headlights. Plus there's adaptive cruise control with a stop & go function.

Cost of Ownership

This 308's self-charging Hybrid powertrain can operate more than 50% of the time in zero-emission all-electric mode during low-speed urban cruising, offering improved fuel economy of up to 15% for fewer trips to the pumps, and a reduction in CO2 of up to 19g/km for this 308 when compared to the existing PureTech 130 EAT8 engine. The actual figures are up to 62.6mpg on the combined cycle and up to 102g/km of CO2. Thanks to the CO2 reduction, the Hybrid powertrain has a reduced rate of Vehicle Excise Duty and a lower rate of Benefit-in-Kind Tax for company car drivers. But of course that's nothing like as good a tax return as you'd get from the E-308 full-Electric model Peugeot really wants to sell you, which like all EVs, is BiK-rated at just 2% - until 2025 anyway. This Peugeot Hybrid's petrol engine has been optimised for efficiency and operates in the Miller combustion cycle. This thermodynamic cycle is enabled by the variable geometry turbocharger, which enhances performance at low rpm, and variable valve timing. A belt-driven starter combines with the e-motor to start the petrol engine from cold. The belt-starter also restarts the engine quickly and seamlessly while driving. As for peace of mind, well there's the usual unremarkable Peugeot three year 60,000 mile warranty. Insurance starts at group 19E.

Summary

As we said when reviewing other Stellantis Group models fitted with this engine, a 308 with this self charging Hybrid unit probably now represents the sweet spot in the range. You won't get the eye-catching tax-beating BiK tax returns of a Plug-in Hybrid 308, but there's a vast up-front price saving to compensate for that. There's not the ecological smugness you'd get from running an E-308, but with this 308 Hybrid 136, there's an even greater price saving. And the relief of being able to without the EV variant's curse of range anxiety. In a car that half the time in urban use would probably run mainly on battery power. What would make us pause a little though, would be the knowledge that exactly the same powerplant is available for quite a lot less in the Citroen C4. But if the extra style and greater driver focus of the 308 points you Peugeot's way, we'd understand.