Not so long ago the prospect of a 308 GTI would not have aroused interest in the most dedicated Peugeot fanboy, leave alone casual hot hatch enthusiasts. The original 308 was an uninspiring car, the competition was decent and it had been a very long time since a legendary Peugeot pocket rocket. They'd lost it since the 306 basically, everyone knew that, and the concern was the hot hatch nous wasn't to return.
Apparently everyone wants five-door hatches
How things change! We may not have returned to the glory days but the
208 GTI 30th
RCZ R
have shown that Peugeot can make a fast car again. The next logical step was the 308, especially having shown the very promising
R
Hybrid R
And here we have it. Not an R, unfortunately, but what appears to be a 308 GTI. Peugeot has confirmed a performance 308 will be at Goodwood later this month so here's your sneak peek. Given Peugeot already sells a 308 GT with 205hp and the R concept featured 270, it would be logical to assume a power output somewhere in the region of 240hp. Something to rival Focus STs and Golf GTIs then, rather than an all-out road warrior to tempt buyers out of Civic Type Rs and Renaultsport Meganes. The styling alludes to that, with modest grille and bumper enhancements plus a fairly restrained design of alloy wheel.
It's likely to be powered by the same 1.6-litre turbo as utilised elsewhere in the quick Peugeot line up, along with a six-speed manual and limited-slip diff. With some development input from Peugeot Sport it should be a sharp handler too if the previous efforts are anything to go by. They oversteer like old Peugeots too...
There's nothing official yet from Peugeot beyond the confirmation of a 308 at Goodwood. More details are due in the middle of this month so keep 'em peeled for more information then.