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By Jonathan Crouch

Peugeot's 308 hatch makes more sense in self-charging Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 form, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 68

Peugeot fits out its 308 with possibly an ideal engine, a self charging hybrid, the 136 e-DSC6 unit we look at here. If you want a 308 but aren't quite ready for it to be fully electrified, this is a variant you have to consider. Other Stellantis Group brands offer this kind of engine too, but this 308 delivers it in this segment with a bit more flair.

Backgroundword count: 163

For too long, Toyota's Corolla has been virtually unchallenged as almost the only full Hybrid option in the family hatchback segment. Honda Civic e:HEV Hybrid is significantly more expensive and class contenders like Ford's Focus, Hyundai's i30, Volkswagen's Golf, SEAT's Leon and Skoda's Octavia use only fairly ineffectual mild hybrid tech. But things are changing. The Stellantis Group has developed a full Hybrid engine specifically for this kind of car and we've now seen it in this segment in Vauxhall's Astra, Citroen's C4 and in the model we look at here, Peugeot's 308. The 308 range really needed this. Prior to this petrol/electric unit's arrival, there was a vast price gulf between the conventional 1.2-litre Puretech engines at one end of the range and the Plug-in Hybrid and full-electric variants at the other. The 308 Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 models plug that gap and, as with the other powerplants, are available in both hatch and SW estate body shapes. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 205

Like the Hybrid 2008 small SUV, this self charging 308 uses this e-DSC6 unit only in its faster 136hp form (the 208 supermini has a lesser 100hp version of this unit). As usual with a full-Hybrid, you have to have an auto gearbox, though this is a rather different kind of self-shifting transmission - and not only because it's of the dual-clutch sort and restricted to six speeds. Built into its casing is a DC inverter, an Engine Control Unit and, most significantly, a little 28hp electric motor powered by a tiny battery secreted beneath the front passenger seat. On the move, this motor can work together with this Hybrid model's 1.2-litre petrol engine - or separately from it. And, unlike with a mild hybrid system like that fitted to say, a rival Volkswagen Golf, here the car can be driven for short urban distances (under 18mph) on electric power alone. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the Hybrid system's 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy recuperated by the regenerative braking system. The motor additionally assists the engine under acceleration - such as from standstill to 62mph, which takes 9.3s en route to 130mph.

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