If you take a good look at the models that Peugeot offer here, there seems to be a particular segment not being represented. That’s ok, Peugeot has announced the 301 – or what seems like a shrunken 508. There is a lot resting on the 301 – it is expected to become one of the French company’s best selling vehicle worldwide.

The 301 incorporates the latest stylistic codes of the Marque offering a modern design and character which they say will inspire emotion and leaves a strong impression.

It’s about the size of several popular family sedans, with an overall length of 4.44 metres. A few highlights: Class leading rear occupant space due to a wheelbase of 2.65 m, 506 litre boot space and a wide range of safety equipment  such as ESP, ABS, up to four airbags, emergency braking assistance and ISOFIX.

Some of the creature comforts that can be specified for the 301: Electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot and  rear parking assistance.

The 301 has 3 power options: A 3-cylinder 71 bhp 1.2 litre and 115 bhp 1.6 litre petrols and a 92 bhp 1.6 litre diesel. Right smack in the least expensive COE category.

The new Peugeot 301 will be manufactured in Vigo, Spain. No official word on local availability yet but we will keep you in the loop!

And a bit more about the new naming convention, Peugeot has stated that the models will no longer change their number when they are renewed. All models that already bear a number with an end digit ‘8’, such as the 308 and 3008, will keep their name when they are renewed and generation 7 models will be replaced with an end digit ‘8’.