Peugeot 301: New French compact sedan revealed

Peugeot believe the 301 will eventually become one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles, even though it will not be sold worldwide. It has been engineered for left-hand-drive countries.

The Peugeot 301 has been developed for a wide range of conditions - such and hot and cold climates, and poor roads - that owners are likely to encounter in the car's destination countries such as Russia, Greece, Ukraine, Eastern Europe and African states.

The model will not be sold in Australia alongside the new 208 hatch, due locally later this year, with which it shares its underpinnings. That could change if key markets such as the UK and Japan apply pressure for a right-hand-drive version.

Peugeot says the 4.44m-long 301 has a wheelbase of 2.65 metres that delivers class-leading rear-seat space and boot capacity (506 litres).

The Peugeot 301 will also benefit from the latest range of petrol and diesel engines from the recently released 208 hatchback with power ranging from 53kW to 85kW mated to piloted, automatic and manual transmissions.

That includes Peugeot’s advanced 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine featuring direct injection, and a 1.6-litre diesel and 1.6-litre petrol.

The 301 will also come with a generous standard equipment list too that includes climate control air-conditioning, Bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming with USB connection, remote boot opening and rear parking sensors.

Safety features will include electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and emergency braking assistance, though there will only be up to four airbags where six airbags has become the norm for modern small cars.

The Peugeot 301 will be manufactured at the Vigo factory in Spain, and is scheduled to go on sale from 1st November in Turkey, thereafter spreading across greater Europe, Russia, the Gulf and African States as well as some South American territories.