autoevolution
 

Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is a Rare Mix Between Supercar and Hot Hatch in Shanghai

Seeing Peugeot's hardcore 308 R HYbrid in the metal at Auto Shanghai 2015 made me think Napoleon would have loved one of those if he lived our modern times.
Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015 35 photos
Photo: Mircea Panait
Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015Peugeot 308 R HYbrid Live Auto Shanghai 2015
History teaches us small things are usually revolution-triggers - no offense Napoleon - and so does Peugeot with the 308 R HYbrid prototype in Shanghai.

Although only a concept, the semi-electrified hot hatch is Peugeot's way of saying "au revoir!" to the competition, as 500 HP are enough to make the 367 HP Audi RS3 feel like going to war with a broom instead of a rifle.

There's really nothing I can add regarding the way the concept looks, as real life beats official photos almost every time and the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid makes no exception. The two-toned body kit reminds us of the 308 GTI but by the time you see that upset front end it's pretty obvious the Frenchman packs serious heat under the hood.

Well, not in terms of displacement anyway, because the 308 R received a 1.6-liter petrol engine assisted by two extra electric motors good for 115 HP each. That's how you get 500 HP in a hot hatch along with a bone-crushing maximum torque of 730 Nm (539 lb-ft), bound to shred all four tires thanks to an all-wheel drive system.

The cabin provides shelter for the 3 kWh Lithium-ion battery stacked under the individual rear seats, covered in patina leather just as the performance-oriented front posts. Drivers can scroll through four powertrain settings - Hot Lap, Track, Road and ZEV - but like everything on this planet, the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is not flawless.

It's only downfall stands in the fact that Peugeot will never convert the prototype into a production-ready model, as the car's presence in Shanghai is just another "hey, look what we can do" statement.

Now, your turn to get a taste of Peugeot's mad 308 R HYbrid via the live photo gallery that comes with the article.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories