2013 Peugeot 301
A compact four door saloon for the international market
The new Peugeot 301 is a clear illustration of the Marque's internationalisation and demonstrates its desire to conquer new markets. It has been specifically designed to appeal to a wide customer base attracted by four-door saloons which are both accessible and present an enhanced level of status. In keeping with Peugeot’s desire to introduce cars for specific markets, the 301 is not intended for the UK market.
The Peugeot 301, which in time is expected to become one of the Marque's best selling vehicles worldwide, is positioned at the heart of its segment. It offers modern styling and features that are carefully adapted to fulfil the expectations of the different markets in which it will be sold.
The 301 incorporates the latest stylistic codes of the Marque offering a modern design and character which inspires emotion and gives an impression of strength. Furthermore, the design of this new car was guided at every stage by the desire to be the best in class incorporating Peugeot's highest quality criteria.
The 301 was developed to adapt to all conditions of use, and extremes (hot countries, cold countries, and poor roads). With an overall length of 4.44 metres it sets itself apart with an optimised and generous structure which puts it a step ahead of the competition. So, it will have benchmark characteristics in its segment:
- Class leading occupant space in the rear due to a wheelbase of 2.65 m
- A best in class boot volume of 506 dm3 (VDA 210)
- Safe handling combined with high levels of comfort, the result of Peugeot's chassis expertise and thus guaranteeing excellent driving pleasure under all conditions
- A wide range of safety equipment available: ESP, ABS, up to four airbags, emergency braking assistance, ISOFIX, etc.
The range of latest generation petrol and diesel engines on the 301 is perfectly suited to the expectations of target markets, with power values ranging from 71 bhp to 115 bhp and manual, piloted or automatic gearboxes:
- 1.2 l VTi 52 kW (71 bhp) (1) with manual or EGC ( electronic gearbox control)
- 1.6 l HDi 68 kW (92 bhp) with manual gearbox
- 1.6 l VTi 85 kW (115 bhp) with manual or automatic gearbox
A symbol of modernity, the 301 therefore will become the second car in the Peugeot range, after the 208, to benefit from the new range of 3 cylinder petrol engines (1.2 l VTi) which, due to their advanced technology, combine driving pleasure and reduced fuel consumption.
The 301 incorporates modern comfort equipment (electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot, rear parking assistance, etc), all of which guarantee an excellent level of comfort on board.
A family vehicle that is both safe and reliable with great driving characteristics, these are elements that have already ensured the success of the Marque in many of the countries where the 301 will be sold. Indeed, Peugeot has been manufacturing motor vehicles for more than 100 years and has designed numerous saloons which have earned and continue to earn their place in motor vehicle history (404, 504, 305, 405, 406, 407, 408, and 508).
The new Peugeot 301, manufactured in Vigo (Spain), will have its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September. It will then go on sale from 1st November 2012 in Turkey then into Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, The Middle East, Gulf and African States, as well as in certain Latin American markets.
(1) subject to homologation
The new Peugeot 301 is intended for markets where the driving conditions are sometimes difficult and where room on-board is a highly appreciated quality. This is why these two aspects have guided the designers throughout the project, so that 301 becomes the benchmark in the segment for spaciousness and durability.
Strength and quality to deliver longevity
From the start of the project, when the specification for the car was being drawn up, Peugeot’s engineers went out on long driving missions to build up mileage on the different sorts of roads that would be taken by the future 301 customers. Roads with poor surfaces, hot climates, cold climates, humid climates… all of the possible situations have been tested and sometimes even with a customer at the wheel. In total, many tens of thousands of kilometres have been run in several continents.
Using the knowledge acquired on the ground and Peugeot’s recognised know-how as a motor manufacturer since 1889, the designers have been able to move in the right direction and make the most appropriate choices to create a car that is perfectly suited to these different conditions of use. This means solutions that influence the behaviour of the vehicle on the road, robustness, build quality and the equipment offered, so that the Peugeot 301 is characterised in the following ways:
- Running gear adapted for running on poorly surfaced roads, to ensure good comfort
- A large number of screw fixings for increased robustness
- Double seals for dust and humidity protection
- Electronic air conditioning with a max AC function for hot countries
- A heated lower windscreen for cold countries
- Etc.
Robustness in design, looked for in the smallest details, is accompanied by a high quality of assembly. These are the same standards as for the Peugeot 508, renowned for its perceived quality, that have been applied for the production of 301 at the Vigo plant, in Spain. With the same aim, 4,000,000 kilometres of quality testing driving has been done to perfect the design of the car. The result is a level of durability that is proof against any test, even in the most rigorous conditions.
A benchmark for its great spaciousness
Room for life on board and boot volume constitute major expectations for the customers that 301 wants to win. This is because the car is often used as transport for the family with passengers in the rear seats. It is for this reason that Peugeot wanted to make assets of these points compared to the competition.
So the body designers have optimised the dimensions of the platform used for 301 to the fullest extent, obtaining a length of 4.44 m. The wheelbase is carried out to 2.65 m, the longest in the segment, allowing a huge passenger compartment to be created with class leading dimensions and a boot of generous size, offering a volume well above the competition:
- Width at front elbows: 1,409 mm
- Width at rear elbows: 1,395 mm
- Knee space*: 121mm
- Boot volume: 640 litres (506 dm3 VDA 210)
*: free space between the rear passenger’s knee and the driver’s seat in its nominal position; this can be as much as 260 mm with the driver‘s seat fully forward.
Without doubt, these characteristics will be attractive to a very large customer base, located mainly outside Western Europe.
A three-box saloon with an international calling
The Peugeot 301 will be put on sale from 1st November in Turkey, then in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, the Maghreb, the Middle East , the Gulf States and African countries, certain Latin American markets and in China.
