New 308 Chassis gives raft of improvements for future Peugeot products

• The New 308 is a dynamic tour-de-force, made possible by its outstanding ‘EMP 2’ chassis
• Design strength makes it possible to be much lighter, thus more efficient
• Production techniques and build-quality enable size optimisation and future design adaptability

View the New Peugeot 308 from any angle, inside or out, and its pure and contemporary styling is impossible to avoid. But almost every aspect of the hatchback’s audacious design – as well as its compact dimensions, class-leading environmental credentials, innovative PEUGEOT i-Cockpit cabin layout and dynamic drive – can be traced back to one thing.

That vital component is the chassis on which the New 308 is built, the utilisation of its innovative ‘Efficient Modular Platform 2’ (EMP2). It’s the first new Peugeot to benefit from this advanced architecture, a number of designs of which were part of a staggering 116 patented technologies, as were the composite tailgate and rear-floor section panel.

The impact of the EMP2 is most obvious on the overall dimensions of the New Peugeot 308. At 4.25 metres from bumper to bumper, it’s 3cm shorter than the outgoing model. Yet the front overhang has been reduced by a massive 6.3cm, creating a ‘wheel in each corner’ profile and more usable space for front seat occupants and their luggage.

At 420 litres with the rear seats up, the boot of the New 308 is the largest in the segment. In addition, the maximum and minimum adjustability of the driver’s seat has been increased, yet space for rear passengers has been maintained at previous levels. Far from being an impossible magic trick, it’s all due to the innovative EMP2 chassis.

The platform has also been engineered so the New 308 can be a lower and wider vehicle than ever before. The car’s roofline is 40mm closer to the ground than on the predecessor model, and with an increase in track width the centre of gravity is 2mm lower.

The EMP2 chassis has been designed to better accommodate many of the car’s bolt-on components. For example, the right-hand drive pedal box is now a perfect replica of the left-hand drive layout. That’s because the air-conditioning unit behind the dashboard has been repositioned to a more central location when compared with the previous generation car. Such an improvement has only been possible because of the attention to detail which has gone into creating the EMP2 architecture.

One of the features which make the New 308 so desirable is its striking and contemporary PEUGEOT i-Cockpit premium interior. Driver-focused like nothing else in the segment, it offers one of the most technically advanced touch-screen infotainment systems on any new car. The EMP2 platform provides the underpinnings on which everything else is built.

For the future owner of the New 308, the benefits of the EMP2 chassis are obvious. Due to advanced materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes – including flexible rolling, hot stamping and laser welding – the car is on average 140kg lighter than the outgoing model.

Coupled with advanced engines and powertrains, the result is segment-leading environmental performance. Depending on the model selected, fuel economy is as high as 91.1mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 82g/km.

The New Peugeot 308 is also an exceptional car to drive, a superbly comfortable place to spend time, and is packed with sophisticated safety and convenience technology. And it’s all because of Peugeot’s EMP2 chassis underpinning the strength of the car.

Needless to say, there is no doubt it will become the foundation for numerous future Peugeot models, each able to offer exceptional eco-motoring, premium features, a sophisticated interior and outstanding handling.