Peugeot has today released the first image of the new 308, designed to, what the brand says, revitalise its position in the compact family hatchback segment.

“The new Peugeot 308 has a pure and technological exterior design that speaks of high strength and high quality,” says Gilles Vidal, Peugeot's design director.

The front of the car is dominated by a reinterpretation of the brand’s ‘floating’ front grille, and by the lighting signature.

Slim full-LED headlamps are standard on the majority of trim levels and a world-first in the segment. At the back, the three Peugeot lion ‘claws’ are drawn by the rear LED lamps.

“When inside the car, one discovers a world of refined style, completely original in the world of hatchback cars, with a cockpit that is intense, innovative and intuitive; it is the Peugeot i-cockpit,” says Vincent Devos, new 308 product manager.

"Peugeot’s design and engineering teams have developed the interior of the new 308 around the concept of the i-cockpit. Everything is arranged for an experience that is intuitive, relaxing the driver to focus entirely on the road ahead. The compact steering wheel and head-up instrument layout mean that information can be clearly read easily and safely, looking over rather than through the wheel."

A key part of the 308’s interior is the 9.7-inch touch-screen interface, which removes much of the need for buttons and switches.

“On the road, driving pleasure is enhanced by the new EMP2 modular platform. With its considerable reduction in weight, it contributes to the dynamism and easy handling of the new Peugeot 308,” says Laurent Declerck, new 308 project director.

Development of this new PSA Group architecture has resulted in 116 patent applications. Compared to the current 308, the car's weight has been reduced by an average of 140kg.

Engineering has allowed many of the vehicle’s major units to be reduced in size – also cutting overall weight – leading to significant reductions in CO2 emissions. As a result, the new Peugeot establishes an environmental benchmark, with one model offering CO2 emissions as low as 85g/km.

The new 308 will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 10, when more information will be released. Sales will start from January 2014 in the UK.