By: Dave Abrahams
Paris, France - When Peugeot decided to build a hot-hatch version of the new 308, it called in the experts: the competition division.
Which is why the result - due to debut, appropriately, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 25 June - is badged as the 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport. And it comes in two flavours, one with 182kW that's merely quick, and one that's simply barking mad, with 200kW on just 1204kg ready to go.
Each has an uprated version of Peugeot's proven 1.6-litre THP turbopetrol four driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual 'box, with 9.2:1 compression-ratio forged competition pistons, strengthened con-rods with reinforced bolts and polymer-enhanced bearings, and a tubular-steel exhaust that can resist temperatures of 1000 degrees.
The only mechanical difference in the drivetrain is that the hotter version comes with a Torsen limited-slip differential.
That enables it to hit 100km/h off a standing start in six seconds flat; the 182kW GTi takes two tenths of a second longer. Each delivers 330Nm from 1900 to 5000rpm at a nominal fuel-consumption figure of 6.03 litres per 100km and is electronically limited to 255km/h.
BESPOKE SUSPENSION
The GTi sits 11mm lower than a vanilla-flavour 308 on a wider track - 1570mm in front and 1554mm at the rear - and bespoke suspension at both ends.
The front pseudo-MacPherson struts have stiffer springs and dampers, with a more flexible anti-roll bar than the standard issue, to match the characteristics of the torsion-beam rear axle with its semi-hollow anti-roll bar and aluminium wishbones.
The 182 rolls on 18-inch alloys and 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 radials, while the 200 features new 19-inch light-weight alloy rims wrapped in Michelin Super Sport 235/35 rubber, over special 380mm ventilated front and 268mm rear brake discs and solid red four-piston callipers.
The front end boasts full LED headlights and a gloss black grille with a horizontal chequered pattern, sequential LED indicators and two front spoilers.
Deeper sill sections frame a gloss black rear trim with dual tailpipes, and there's special badging on the front wings and composite tailgate.
DRIVER SPORT PACK
Standard kit includes the Driver Sport Pack, which changes the display from white to red at the press of a button on the centre console, shows more performance data on the central read-out (power, torque, boost, lateral and longitudinal acceleration), deepens the engine's growl and sharpens the accelerator-pedal mapping.
The Peugeot Sport bucket seats are finished with red contrast stitching on the upholstery, as are the door panels, gear lever and floor mats. Aluminium pedals are standard, as are door sills embossed with the GTi and Peugeot Sport logos.
In the top-spec 200kW version the seats are trimmed in alcantara synthetic suede, and the compact steering heel with GTi logo at the bottom and red centring stripe at the top, in full-grain leather.
Peugeot SA is considering the 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport for release in South Africa during the second half of 2016 but says nothing's confirmed yet. As soon as we know, so will you.