- Peugeot 308 HDi model equipped with an EGC gearbox returns the best fuel consumption in its class: 4.047 litres per 100km
- CO2 output only 106.03 grams per km
A Peugeot 308 HDi featuring an EGC gearbox has come top of the Compact Car Class for the lowest CO2 emissions in the 2008 AA Energywise Rally staged in New Zealand, with a total emissions figure of just 106.03 g/km.
The 308 has also come first in its class for using the least amount of fuel, with an overall consumption figure of just 4.047 l/100km, which is more than 10% better than the official manufacturers combined cycle economy figure.
"At Peugeot we are very proud of this result. The Compact Car Class is very competitive and is a growing sector of the market as it's largely reflective of modern family consumers needs," said Simon Rose Divisional Manager for Peugeot in New Zealand.
"People now want passenger vehicles that are not only good looking but practically sized and versatile. Having the lowest CO2 emissions and using the least amount of fuel means a Peugeot 308 customer is really winning on all accounts," said Rose.
The EGC is an electronically controlled gearbox which takes away the need for a clutch pedal, is a genuine alternative to traditional gearboxes due to its limited additional cost with respect to a manual gearbox. This highly responsive gearbox will appeal to gear change enthusiasts who will be able to use the gear lever or paddles situated behind the steering wheel. Its intelligent design provides the perfect recipe for stress free driving by allowing independent gear changes, though the driver can take control at any time.
The AA Energywise rally shows motorists how they can slash their fuel bills by choosing a fuel-efficient car and driving it in a fuel efficient manner. A record 59 vehicles entered this year's four-day rally around the North Island which began and finished in Auckland and during the event, drivers travelled to Wellington and back, via Palmerston North, Wangamomona, Rotorua and Hamilton, covering a distance of 1626 kilometers. They were put to the test with a combination of driving on motorways, unsealed roads, rural state highways, and in peak-hour city congestion.
The AA Energywise Rally is held every two years and is jointly organised by the AA, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), and Gull Petroleum New Zealand.
The Peugeot 308 is available in both hatch and Touring variants, with petrol and diesel engines, in manual and automatic transmissions and is priced from $25,990. The 308 HDi equipped with an EGC gearbox is priced from $31,590.