By: IOL Motoring Staff
Paris - Peugeot has unleashed a faster version of its new 308 and is very existence implies that a far hotter GTi version is on the horizon.
What you see here is the GT version of the 308 and in petrol form (a diesel is also available) it is more powerful than the previous 308 GTi, which implies that the next GTi (or a possible R version) could share the RCZ R's 199kW heart.
But back down to the here and now, Peugeot's new 308 GT aims to offer a combination of style, luxury and rather-warm performance.
Choose the petrol version and beneath the bonnet you'll find a 151kW/285Nm version of Peugeot's 1.6-litre direction injection turbopetrol motor (beating the previous GTi's 147kW output). Peugeot also offers a diesel version of the GT, fitted with a 132kW/400Nm 2-litre HDi unit that can allegedly sprint from 50 to 70mph (80 to 113km/h) in just 5.5 seconds.
To cope with the increased performance on offer, Peugeot has modified the suspension (lowering it by 7mm in the process) and boosted the braking system.
Peugeot has given the GT a style that's more elegant than boisterous, but it does hint at its performance potential with 18-inch 'Diamant' wheels, widened side sills and twin exhaust pipes while the rear diffuser and wing mirrors are finished in lacquered black.
Inside, the GT shows off its flagship status with anthracite roof lining, loads of red stitching and various aluminium finishes.
The new 308 range is expected to hit South African shores early in 2015 and the local engine line-up will be announced at launch.