Refreshed Peugeot 301 enters market

Car freaks in the mass market segment and lovers of the legendary Peugeot nameplate are in for good times following the formal unveiling of the latest generation of the Peugeot 301 sedan called Peugeot 301 Midlife.

The official unveiling which was elaborately celebrated at PAN drive assembly plant located on Kakuri Industrial Estate in Kaduna brought together fleet and individual customers, top government functionaries and representatives from  the Nigerian Customs, Police and Prisons Services, including the old and Peugeot dealers and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Managing Director of PAN Nigeria Limited, Ibrahim Boyi said that since announcement of the 301 series, the auto firm has recovered its customers and market share which has improved from 6% in 2015 to 8% in 2016.

Boyi who pointed out that PAN wants to reconnect with the emotions and heritage of the brand added that the brand covers all age groups and that is why there is strong emotional connection.

While disclosing the affordability price tag of the new 301 at N5.6 million when compared with other rival brands in the segment, Boyi said the car is the cheapest in it class, stressing that there are a large number of Nigerians who like simple functional vehicle like 301.

Listing some of the selling points of the retooled model like ground clearance, safety features, space, reliability and  comfort as some of the unique advantages of Peugeot 301 Midlife, Boyi said “The new Peugeot 301 reinforces it’s qualities with new assets. The body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand’’.

‘’The vertical grille, body set spotlight and neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car. The luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front are expressions of the technological content”. Boyi stated.

It comes with a powerful and captivating front face with a wide vertical grille (‘Hot Chrome’) on Allure variant or with ‘Chrom Pack’ for the Active specification surrounding the lion.

Furthermore, the revamped Peugeot 301 Midlife come swith an even more feline look, with sets of refined lights incorporating the ‘’tooth’’ going up largely in the optical block.

These headlamps, with black and chromed masks and LED daytime running lights integrated into the bumper, contribute fully to the modernity and identity of the new 301.

It comes with Triple Play compatible Mirror Screen, to duplicate the smartphone content on the touchscreen of the vehicle. USB connectivity, Bluetooth.

The Midlife offers unprecedented safety and comfort for the driver and passengers in terms of ergonomics, driving position, height adjustment of the seat and steering wheel with touch screen at the fingertips and eyes, comfortable seats ensuring lateral support and comfort on all types of roads.

Furthermore, the new 16 ‘’ wheels highlight the dynamism of the car. The ‘Albury’ style steel rim offers a 16” economical offer with a rewarding style. The Perth diamond rim brings a lot of dynamism to the profile of the car and participates in the sense of upscale.

On hand to give insight about the new vehicle was Omagbitse Bawo General Manager, Sales and Marketing who stated that the new car is well loaded with sophisticated features

The GM noted that the body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand, laced with striking vertical grille, body-set spotlights even as neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car.

Its luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front, are the expression of the technological content. This Peugeot 301 offers considerable skill and trunk volume, dynamic behaviour and a design adapted to local requirements.

“At the front is a powerful front face with a wide vertical grille (‘Hot Chrome’ on Allure level or with ‘Chrome Pack’ in Active) surrounding the lion that epitomises the brand’s traditional logo” .

An even more feline look, with refined lights incorporating the “tooth” going up largely is found the optical block. These headlamps, with black and chromed masks and LED daytime running lights integrated into the bumper, contribute fully to the modernity and identity of the new 301.

“The horizontal hood contributes to the feeling of robustness that emerges from the car. That also results in a retracted positioning of the bumper of the new grille for better resistance to small shocks. Laterally, any curious observer would easily notice a “horizontal” hood and new rims for more dynamism”, he said.

MIKE OCHONMA