Peugeot compact car in the spotlight

French car brand Peugeot made it on the extended list of eligible candidates for the Car of the Year 2014 award with two models: Peugeot 308 and Peugeot 2008.

The list includes 30 cars all offered for sale in several markets in Europe, with estimated annual sales of over 5,000 units. The Car of The Year 2014 will not be announced until March next year, just before the Geneva Motor Show and it will be selected from the shortlist of seven nominees, which will be announced by mid-December 2013.

Peugeot 308 R Concept was the star of the French automobile manufacturer’s stand at this year’s Frankfurt International Auto Show (September 12-22) with its boldly painted red and black body.

The new generation of the compact class model Peugeot 308 is wider, lower (4.25 meters long and 1.46 meters high) with new doors, front wings, sides, sills, bonnet and bumpers all made of carbon fiber.

The team from Peugeot Sport had also contributed in developing this ultra-sporty family car model. The 308 R Concept has a new interior design, and thanks to its modular platform it is 140 kilos lighter than its predecessor and thus more effective, the more ecological 308 will keep emissions below 85 grams per kilometer. It is driven by the same high-performance 1.6-litre four-cylinder, 270bhp engine linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and uses a Torsen differential to manage the power through the front wheels. Breaking power is provided by big Alcon discs (380mm by 32mm at the front, 330mm by 22mm at the rear).

The “fight” for best car will not be only in the price segment or only in the segment of performance, the jury seeking a combination of qualities to deliver what is considered the best car that year.

The other candidate on the list is Peugeot 2008, a small-sized, urban SUV based on the last year’s novelty supermini Peugeot 208, released on the market with a starting price of £12995.

You can compare the technical specifications and prices it with other Peugeot crossovers through Simon Bailes used Peugeot car dealers. For a used car the best sought after qualities besides buying price and running costs include safety qualifications, refinement, and comfort.