This month sees a facelifted Peugeot 308 in the showrooms which also brings a boost in fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions writes Sharon Walters.

And what an attractive package this popular car is.

The 308 was first launched in September 2007 and was the first of Peugeot’s new “8” generation cars. More than 89,000 have been sold in the UK alone and Peugeot is confident its success will continue with the second incarnation.

Peugeot as a brand is really changing and the 308 arrives with the latest styling elements from the marque – already seen on the 508 and the SR1 Concept Car.

On the outside, the design has been sharpened up with a new look at the front, which is sharply raked and has the latest LED headlamps and daytime running lights to give the new 308 an elegant and modern look.

Inside, the design has also been updated, bringing it right up to date. It is available in three body styles –Hatchback, CC and SW, and four multi-model trim levels; Access, SR, Active and Allure. A rangetopping hatchback and CC THP 200 model will arrive later this year in a single GT trim level.

Standard kit on all models includes air conditioning, stability control, allround electric windows, remote locking and six airbags.

But it is really under the metal shell that the biggest changes come with the introduction of more efficient engines and Peugeot’s innovative micro-hybrid e-HDi stop and start technology.

There is a choice of four petrol and four diesel engines – ranging from an entry-level 1.4-litre petrol with 98bhp and five-speed gearbox right through to the six-speed 200bhp 1.6 THP and a 163bhp 2.0-litre HDi automatic.

The best among these is the 1.6-litre e-HDi hatchback, with 112bhp and stop and start fitted as standard.

Peugeot’s micro-hybrid e-HDi stop and start is the latest generation technology (it is also available in the recently launched 508) and combined with Peugeot’s classleading 1.6-litre HDi FAP 112 Euro5 diesel reduces CO2 emissions to 98g/km.

And that gives the 308 the lowest emissions in its segment and something company car drivers are giving great importance to when they choose their cars.

The stop and start system means the car engine automatically switches off at idle and restarts the moment you put it back into gear or release the brake. You get around 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption with this as well, which will please most bank balances.

This engine option will also be available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed electronically controlled manual gearbox (EGC).

To ensure the New Peugeot 308 is as environmentally efficient as possible all other factors affecting CO2 emissions have been optimised:

• Overall weight reduced by 25kg on average on all models.
• New 16in ultra-low rolling resistance tyres.
• Optimisation of all engine options (VTi, THP petrol and HDi diesel engines to Euro5).
• Drag coefficient of 0.28 for the low-consumption models – record for this segment.

This also enables the new Peugeot 308 HDi FAP 92 model, fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, to emit CO2 emissions of only 110g/km.

Now all this paints a pretty good picture, but what of the drive itself?

The 308 is already tops in terms of road holding and pure enjoyment, and that has improved further.

Prices start at £16,245 on the road for the 1.4 VTi and rise up through the range to £23,395 for the HDi Auto.

Peugeot pleases once again on so many fronts.