Peugeot 308 GTi developed by Peugeot Sport 2015
Peugeot Sport is a company worth keeping an eye on. From almost obscurity they’ve crawled out the woodwork and have now plied their trade across a number of flagship Peugeot models. The latest Peugeot 308 GTi is arguably their defining moment, resurrecting the brand to its triumphant days.
The Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport at long last seems to be have a firm grasp on the hot hatch segment. The high compression and internally forged 1.6-litre turbo engine is dismissively small but crucially the same powerplant wedged in the RCZ R – little known fact it matched the Mercedes A45 AMG for specific output. In the 308 GTi, the engine spools out two outputs but there’s no ‘low spec’ to speak of with 184kW being you entry level and 200kW most likely coming from a software tune.
Here’s the problem; hot climate countries like South Africa will in all probability get the 184kW version. On the road however that’s doesn’t translate into much of a difference and even with the Torsen limited slip differential and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, traction becomes the issue. Peugeot estimate around 6.0 seconds to 100km/h for the 200kW model and 6.2 seconds for the model we’ll most likely get. That’s roughly the difference a dual clutch gearbox would make – an irrelevant fact since there isn’t one available. The six-speed manual gearbox gains extra heft to handle all 330Nm.
Working from the stylish 308 EMP2 platform, the 308 GTi is fitted with 19-inch alloys which contribute a 2kg saving over the outgoing 18-inch wheels. These tuck into the arches thanks to shorter springs while competition-soec 380mm discs up front (painted red, naturally) and 268mm discs in the rear should goad one into attacking those braking markers. Beefier roll bars and stiffer bushings are appropriate updates.
Expect to find all the normal performance trinkets from LED lights, front and rear spoilers, larger exhaust pipes and gloss black panels in place of chrome. No mention of an oversized diffuser. Aluminium gearknob and pedals, red stitching threaded into ever surface soft enough to hold it and Peugeot Sport bucket seats wrapped in Alcantara equip the 308 GTi with that sporty status. . An onboard computer will record G forces, power and torque curves and boost levels.
No pricing for the 308 GTi in South Africa is yet available but expect to pay around R420 000. With the RCZ recently being discontinued to our dismay, the 308 GTi must give this engine the credit it deserves.
