The New 268bhp 308 GTi Will Be The Best Peugeot In Years

Peugeot’s performance car renaissance appears to be in rude health today, as the French company has just revealed this: the 308 GTi. The RCZ R and 208 GTi 30th Anniversary both prove Peugeot still has the nous to put together decent fast cars; this bodes exceedingly well for the new hotter 308, which is available with up to 268bhp and 243lb ft of torque.

The poke comes from the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-pot seen the RCZ R, and in the most powerful model, it sends its power through the Torsen limited-slip differential just like its coupe brother.

It’ll do 0-62mph in six seconds dead, and top out at 155mph. Happy with a little less power? There’s also a 247bhp version which takes an extra 0.2sec to get to 62mph, and has the same top speed as the top-spec car. It has the same amount of torque, but you lose the diff. Best go for the quicker version, then.

The warm 308 GT we tried earlier in the year didn’t give the most satisfying drive, but it shouldn’t be the same case with the GTi. As well as the extra power, it also has a wider track, stiffer suspension and beefier brakes.

In fact, we have very high hopes for the 308 GTI. The RCZ R - based on the previous generation 308’s platform - is already an exceptional driver’s car. So, with the same engine and diff setup stuffed into the much newer underpinnings of the current 308, there’s potential for the GTI to be the best Peugeot in years.

Tempted? You’ll need £26,555 to bag yourself the base model, or £28,155 for the full-fat 268bhp version - a little more than what you’d pay for a Seat Leon Cupra 280. Fancy the two-tone ‘Coupe Franche’ paint finish you see here? It’s only available on the more powerful car, as a £1300 option.

The 308 GTi will make its public debut at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show, and will be available to order soon.