Driven: Peugeot 308GT

I used to dread the thought of piloting a manual car ever since I sold off my Proton Wira 1.3GL and my Honda Accord (SM4) 2.0i manual from my houseman and medical officer years. Of course, I'd still bear that occasional Langkawi rental car e.g. Iswara LMST in manual guise, for its bargain-basement day charges.

Strangely, after having sampled the new Saga 1.3M, Toyota Vios J, Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet, Civic Type-R, Renault Megane R26 F1, Clio RS and of course, the Peugeot 308GT, I have discovered how much we have drifted away from it all - the joys of a manual 'box. Things like having better control (engine braking) going into corners and livelier overtaking, all while harnessing an engine's torque band more instantaneously. In short, being on top of things when your drive gets more spirited and/or competitive.

Certainly, there is that twin-clutch automated gearbox of late. I have no qualms about such technological advancements since a gearbox having twin drive shafts in tandem with dual clutches - for uninterrupted torque transmission - is simply better than singular (AMT or the regular fully manual clutch). Afterall, such robotic gearbox is the way to go for the future. However, for junkies who simply love their heel-and-toe antics and that stick shifter, the manual tranny is as 'connected' as one can be. Undiluted, good 'ol driving pleasure. Blame it on our horrendous city or urban traffic congestion for such paradigm shift since late 1980s. I could still vividly remember the good times when my dad bought a Datsun 160J SSS, Datsun 120Y, Mazda 323 and Toyota Corolla 1.3 LE (my brothers' memorable Ford Laser TX3 1.6i, Ford Telstar TX5 and Mazda Familia too). Back then, people used to scoff and swear at auto trannies! Can't believe I am now advocating and rediscovering lost love for the manual 'box since it was just early this year that I had quite an animated debate on the virtues of VW's DSG versus a 6-speed manual with a silly fiend (no typo here) of mine.

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Which brings us to this 6-speed manual Peugeot 308GT with one of the finest gearknob around town. I thought I had carressed the best in the business in the FD2R Civic Type-R but this French 'cap' is real solid and exudes a quality, premium feel. Shift quality is accurate - though not exactly a short shifter - only to be let down by the rather highly set clutch pedal.



The Swiss really know their watches but here I'd say the French know their instrument gauges. Look at the speeedometer layout, contrasts, fonts and that fine needle with a red backdrop-surround glow. I am sure you'd too likened it to a fine chronometer. Ditto the tachometer and the temp/fuel gauges. Clean, neat, easy-to-read and classy. These hopeless romantics also dig shapely wing mirrors. Never mind its rather small field of vision or droopy appearance, like a semi-subluxated fractured wrist, they just looked sexy from both inside and out. Note where the turn signal repeaters are placed, at the base of the wing mirror stalk, and you reckon the French are non-conformist.







On the flipside, they are pretty conforming when it comes to the shared turbocharged Prince powerplant of BMW-Peugeot collaboration. Yes, this is the same 175bhp direct-injected lump found in the new New Mini Cooper S, good for 240Nm of torque from a displacement of just 1.6L.


The new 308GT is simply a looker. It may sport a 3-door sports hatch body but it is indeed spacious on the inside. This Pug rides pliantly well, even on 18-inchers and grippy around corners with standard Pirelli P-Zero Rossos. Those typical French seats are adequately sized, well padded and supportive all around for long journeys. With soft leathers looking upmarket in black, they're pleasantly cosseting and comfortable. In fact, the interior is a nice place to be indeed, as it oozes with plenty of soft touch surfaces and a classy ambience.




At less than RM160k for a fully-imported, continental turbocharged hot hatch, here is one that is loaded with goodies like the JBL hi-fidelity audio system, auto wiper, auto HID headlamps, a multitude of airbags and that airy panoramic roof. Added to this impressive check-list is the heart of the Lion: the New Mini Cooper S' engine with BMW DNA, so you better hurry up to the nearest Nasim showroom if you are serious about getting one for the new year(s) festivities. Last I heard, the equipment specifications and trim may be downgraded with the next CBU batch to keep the new 308GT THP 175's pricing competitive. This is as close as you can get to a new New Mini Cooper S on a 'shoestring' budget.

Related posts:
New Peugeot 308GT in Malaysia now
Peugeot 308VTi and 308Turbo coming soon to Malaysia

You may want to read this:
Topless driving: Peugeot 207cc

All-New Honda City coming (very) soon...

One of the most exciting (and significant for most car buyers) automotive launch, just before the year winds up, must be Honda Malaysia's upcoming all-new City. A full model change that has taken place earlier in Thailand and Singapore, the question mark still remains over how much it will cost to park this 3rd generation sub-compact in your porch or parking bay in 2009...

Watch this blog for the details before the week is over!




In the meantime you may want to read these:
2009 Honda City scooped!
Showdown: 2009 Honda City vs Toyota Vios facelift
Driven: Honda Jazz 1.5V Modulo

For more info:
http://www.excitementinthecity.com.my/

Peugeot 308 coming soon to Malaysia

Nasim Sdn Bhd (NSB), the official franchise holder for Peugeot has begun taking orders for the new award-winning Peugeot 308. The new car is expected to arrive at all Nasim outlets in January 2009.

Two variants of the new Peugeot 308 will be offered: 308VTi and 308Turbo. Both are 5 door hatchback models with automatic transmission.

Proton MPVs spotted on Federal Highway!

I suppose most of you car nuts would have seen images like these countless of times all around the blogosphere by now. Thing is, I actually caught these pictures myself - using a Nokia E71 - on my way to work say, 2-3 weeks ago. I guess Proton have been 'deliberately' flashing the public with repeated 'previews' of things to come from them, which is looking to be probably a best-seller in the making. While it appeared like a taller Toyota Wish, the butt of Proton's newest baby is more akin to Toyota Innova in chunk and contour! Expect its third row seating space to ace the Wish, Stream, Grand Livina and the likes.

Rumoured to be priced anywhere between RM72k (basic, manual version) to RM89k (for the auto top-spec), watch out for Proton's official unveiling and naming of this MPV sometime March 2009.

2009/10 Mercedes-Benz (W212) E-Class undisguised!

Spotted over at paultan.org are a few of the latest leaked images of the upcoming 2009/10 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a full replacement model due for next year's Geneva debut. At the front (in E500 guise) , it appeared decently refreshed and stately - as an E-Class should rightfully be - though somewhat Lexus GS300-ish, if not for the trademark Benz grille.

The side profile cuts a swage line to be in tune with the rest of the M-B saloons i.e. the W204 C-Class and of course, the W221 S-Class.



Coming to the rear is where For Wheels reckon that Daimler AG designers lost their plot or fell asleep at their respective workstations! Or did the Computer Aided Design (CAD) software failed them? I could recall that I was awed with the new W211 when M-B refined it into something modern yet classy in 2003, versus the clunky W210. Remember that sleek W211 E-Class in 'Men In Black II'? So desirable that I eventually committed to hire purchasing one in 2006.

All hope may not be lost though, I am pretty sure it will look more convincing in the metal come Q3/Q4 2009 when launched in Malaysia. Knowing how some Conti designs do look better with age, with conditioned acceptance as we see more of them on the road. But does Mercedes-Benz have to relive its W124 era so much - applying much retro cues for the W212's butt - as it boasted returning to the E's solid-built state of the 1980s?

Will the M271 (E18) of the E200 get a turbocharger instead of the trusty but 'over-worked' Kompressor? Anyone for a brand new W212 E200T with direct fuel injection pushing higher torque and more power output?

Forget the fancy Park Assist, Panoramic Roof, Keyless Go et al, the new W212 E200 deserves both DFI/GDI plus modern turbocharging! Errr...maybe even a more flexible 7-G Tronic 'box to go with it?

Topless Driving: Peugeot 207cc

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Cabriolets and roadsters were pretty much like Caviars to me. Yes, they are an acquired taste and a premium one at that. Unnecessarily pricey, in a smaller package (read: less value-for-money) and representing a lifestyle statement to the elite-strata of the society (locally at least). This breed of automobiles is also mostly unpractical in our tropical, equatorial heat and hardly blends well with our sticky, humid climate.

My perception of things (not of the rising crime rates in Malaysia though) has changed when I took home the VW Eos a few months ago. Strangely, I enjoyed drop-top motoring very much since then but I have ransacked my clinic's stock of sunblock more than a couple of times! Just for the record, anything with SPF 30+ or 35+ will do, no need to splurge extra cash on the heavy duty stuffs, unless you are into surfing off the coast of Port Dickson, Langkawi or Bagan Lalang for that matter.


Which brings us to this petite topless feline called the 207cc. I have always fancied the slanty eyed Pugs ever since the 206, 307, 407 et al. This trademark design gets carried over here with even sharper accentuation, paired with an even more gaping mouth diplaying a wide (friendly? or is it feisty?) grin. It's a happy Peugeot alright. The driver is mostly happy too with the tight feel of the car on the road. The 207cc simply felt very solidly bolted together, even with the top down. Decent road manners, great ride pliancy despite a short wheelbase, comfy seats and minimal rolling noise from those grippy premium Conti rubbers. However, the 207cc' Archilles heel has to be its drivetrain. Dont' get me wrong, it's responsive and ever trying to please. But with only 4 'auto' gears, mostly shifted into cog '2' manually, I was yearning for more grunt. Its lovely chassis - which was superbly Conti-esque stable at its triple digits Vmax - simply deserved more horses and torque. The turbocharged lump from the 308GT THP175 (and new New Mini Cooper S) would do nicely here, I reckoned.



Now comes the dicey part: overtaking in a 207cc. It's a daunting task really, waiting for ages for pace to built up and securely pass the car up front. With oncoming traffic on the opposite looking more menacing more often than it should, I guess this is indeed as a local Peugeot (and a close friend) guy puts it: " A lovely boulevardier of a coupe-cabriolet". MidValley Boulevard anyone? Bintang Walk? Heritage Row? Bangsar, Hartamas, Mont Kiara? Now I get it. Serious.

Coming Up: Honda Jazz vs Mitsubishi Colt (Turbo) Ralliart?

"What?" Another mismatched madness you may say. Well, truth be told...the 2005 Colt Ralliart you see above was priced (at least in Wald form via USF-Hicom) at almost the same level as the new Honda Jazz 1.5 V-Grade with Modulo kit.

I reckon it makes an interesting comparo, no? Psst! Let's just not call it a shootout...