The plug-in hybrid Peugeot 308 R HYbrid has broken cover packing all-wheel drive 368kW and 730Nm of torque.

PEUGEOT SPORT HAS taken a garden-variety 308 and come up with the mental plug-in hybrid Peugeot 308 R HYbrid which offers 386kW and 730Nm of torque, and will get to 100km/h in just 4.0 seconds.

The 308 R HYbrid takes styling cues from the Quartz concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March. With front and rear tracks widened by 80mm and riding on 235/35 R19 tyres, the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid “has been created to devour the road”.

The grille features a chequered pattern which allows air to cool the innovative 386kW powertrain. The side scoops are home to the sequential LED indicators, while the central scoop sports the 308 R HYbrid signature. At the rear, the bumper’s twin air scoops help keep the battery temperature down by drawing out the hot air. The battery can be recharged via rapid charging in just 45 minutes.

“Peugeot Sport’s expertise applies an uncompromising approach to meeting targets. With our experience in hybrid vehicles developed with the Peugeot 908, the high-performance hybrid powertrain fitted to the 308 gives a glimpse of the potential for ultra-sports models in the future,” says Bruno Famin, Director at Peugeot Sport.

The 308 R HYbrid gets four driving modes:

• Hot Lap mode is the most powerful, harnessing the full potential from the three power sources to reach a total of 368kW and maximum torque of 730Nm.
• Track mode delivers 294kW and 530Nm, mainly from the petrol engine and the rear electric motor. The front electric motor serves as an additional booster when accelerating.
• Road mode is specially designed for road use with power of 220kW and torque of 400Nm. The petrol engine delivers its full potential, while the rear electric motor helps during accelerations. The front electric motor is not used in this mode.
• ZEV makes priority use of the rear electric motor. The front electric motor comes into play, depending on the pressure applied on the accelerator pedal.

While the 308 R gets 380mm ventilated discs at the front, gripped by four pistons, and 290mm discs at the rear it relies on the powertrain to decelerate using the electric motors throughout the full speed range. Regenerative braking is used to recharge the battery.

Spread around the 308 R HYbrid are three different power sources, each capable of working independently of the others. They are a four-cylinder 1.6-litre, plus two electric motors – each with power of 85kW– mounted one on each axle. The front one is linked to the six-speed gearbox.

“If we were able to reach this kind of performance on a C-segment, it is all down to our passion for a challenge and our desire for excellence. Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is part of a very select club of cars reaching 0-62mph in four seconds” says Jean-Philippe Delaire, Peugeot Sport Head of Development, 308 R HYbrid powertrain.