What's the news?

Peugeot has released initial details of its all-new 308 hatchback and is clearly aiming at the segment leaders (the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus) with the new car's sharp exterior style, concept car-like interior and considerably enhanced efficiency.

Exterior

While allowing for the fact that the first images of the new Peugeot 308 illustrate a top-of-the range version, featuring plentiful chrome detailing, full LED headlights and tasty large alloy wheels, the French company's designers appear to have done a good job here. The new 308 is close in profile to the Golf, but has much more scalloping to the body panels and jewel-like lights front and back. Those rear units include three LED 'claws', characteristic of the brand, while the impressive looking front lights nestle up to a demure version of the company's new grille.

Interior

Complementing the attractive exterior is an innovative cabin. The 308 adopts the divisive Peugeot 208's layout, where a small steering wheel is used and the driver views the instruments over the top of the rim (as opposed to through the middle, as in most cars). The clocks themselves are rather more stylised than in the 208, but they fade into the background against the prominent 9.7-inch touchscreen system in the middle of the dashboard.

The press images reveal that this takes the place of a conventional climate control system, significantly reducing the number of buttons and switches in the cabin. Presumably it also controls the infotainment. There's no mention of whether this system is standard across the line-up.

Elsewhere, the interior of the car pictured is swathed in what looks like high grade stitched leather, with brushed aluminium accents throughout. Peugeot is clearly taking aim at the Volkswagen Golf, though we'll be keen to see the inside of an entry-level 308.

Mechanicals

While Peugeot hasn't yet detailed the engine and transmission line-up, it's safe to say there'll be 1.4- and 1.6-litre HDi diesel versions, and probably 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol options too, the latter potentially producing up to 200hp. Five- and six-speed manual gearboxes are expected to be standard depending on engine and Peugeot is likely to continue with the EGS automated manual transmission too.

What we do know for certain is that Peugeot has managed to reduce the 308's weight by as much as 140kg. That should considerably enhance performance, dynamics and efficiency. Confirming that, Peugeot has said that one variant of the new hatchback will emit less than 85g/km. That's 10g/km lower than the current best in the range.

Despite small reductions in overall length and height the new 308 has a much larger boot, with 470 litres of space below the luggage cover (it's currently 348 litres and the new Golf's is 380 litres).

Anything else?

No word yet on a forthcoming 308 SW estate variant, though we expect to see a new 308 GTi and its luxurious alter ego, the 308 XY, in time. Peugeot will give the new 308 hatch its public world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and right-hand drive sales are expected to start in early 2014.