Peugeot 301 (308 replacement) spy shots
Peugeot has been spotted testing a prototype version of the upcoming Peugeot 301, the replacement for the Peugeot 308. Despite this prototype wearing the current 308 body, underneath it features the new driveline, chassis and suspension layout.
The new Peugeot 301 will be pitched directly at the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, sharing a similar design and engineering philosophy as seen on the recently revealed Peugeot 208 and certain elements of the Peugeot SR1 Concept.
It is understood Peugeot won't be re-adopting the '309' badge due to the less than favourable reviews the original Peugeot 309 received, so it gets a fresh '301' badge. It will also be built on a new platform, shared with the upcoming Citroen DS4.
Like the Peugeot 208, the new Peugeot 301 will feature slightly larger cabin dimensions than the current model, particularly in width, offering more interior room. The new model is also expected to be lighter in weight and more fun to drive than the predecessor.
As for the powerplants, Peugeot is said to be planning a range of new petrol and diesel engine options, including super-fuel-efficient units potentially shared with the 208. These could include a 1.0-litre with around 56kW and a 1.2-litre with around 75kW. A hybrid version will likely join the line-up as well.
The Peugeot 301 is expected to the unveiled sometime in 2012, with sales starting shortly after.
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