Peugeot 308: More than just a number - So what's different?

The 308 is much more than just a refreshed 307, however.

The interior finish and choice of materials, the steeply-angled and smart centre console, the petrol engine line-up and the features available mark it out as a new car in its own right.

Peugeot reckons it now has a car that can steal the bragging rights over quality for this size of car.

Ask the people behind the 308 to sum up its star qualities and they say efficiency, quality and style.

It's roomier than the 307, even though the wheelbase is unchanged and the roof is a fraction lower.

The interior layout is better and more thought has been given to how people will use the car.

It's the most aerodynamic five-door model in its class – the only car that matches it is the three-door Citroen C4.

That contributes towards improved fuel consumption and emissions with most engines.

'Perceived quality was an obsession with this car,' says Peugeot's British design director, Keith Ryder.

'Because we were using a known platform (the 307's) we had a lot of time to refine, refine and refine again.

'We've used the best-quality plastics known to the industry for the upper parts of the dash, and they're pretty good lower down in the areas you don't see and touch so often, too.'