It’s not often that MotorMartin focuses on specifications as it’s how a car drives and feels that is surely most important, but with this particular Peugeot I’m sure you’ll understand:
Cubic capacity: 1598cc
Max Power (HP): 272 @ 6000rpm
Max Torque (NM): 330 @ 1900rpm
Length: 4253mm
Width (incl Mirrors): 2041mm
Height: 1446mm
Wheelbase: 2617mm
0 – 62 mph: 6.0 seconds
Maximum Speed: 155mph
Kerb Weight: 1205Kg
Gross Train: 1790Kg
You’ve got to hand it to Peugeot, squeezing 272 bhp out of a 1.6 Litre 4 cylinder power plant is something very special especially when all that power doesn’t compromise the superb family car credentials that the 308 also delivers.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here after all, perhaps the most important words on this car are ‘GTi By Peugeot Sport’ and for those in the know, those few words most definitely mean something. For those that don’t know, founded in 1981 by Jean Todt, Peugeot Sport has competed in many of Motor Sports most demanding events, races and championships varying from rallying to Formula One. The thing is, all of this race winning expertise then finds it’s way down to the relevant road car in Peugeot’s range, the 208 and 308 GTi being excellent examples.
Is this specialist input enough to make the 308 GTi special though and is the 2018 308 worthy of that iconic GTi badge? Let’s hope so.
From the outside, there’s a certain high class appeal to this Peugeot, unadorned, as it is, with unnecessary and gauche styling bells and whistles. What you do get with the 308 GTi is something else, something different and refreshing and it’s down to the lack of extravagant spoilers and side skirts that creates such a desirable profile. Think less Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família and more Basilica of Sacré-Cœur. Class then, over excess.
That’s not to say that the Peugeot is standard looking as it certainly isn’t. Aside from the aluminium GTi door sill finishes, front wing and tailgate badges, there’s the large twin exhausts, black rear diffuser, a ride height lowered by 11mm, black radiator grille, sports front bumper skirts and a red lower bumper finisher. Looking at the GTi as a whole, it’s certainly a very impressive piece of hot hatch architecture and one which, in MotorMartin’s opinion, will still look as good many years down the line.
Inside the car and you’re immediately greeted by deep GTi bucket seats with Peugeot Sport branding and surprisingly, massage functions for both. Who says going fast and being comfortable can’t go together? Lovely.
You’re left in no doubt as to the origin of your car as up ahead you have Peugeot’s now iconic iCockpit with it’s new GTi twist. This includes vibrant red stitching which adorns the upholstery, door panels, gearshift lever bellows and the high-end floor mats. In addition the pedals, foot-rest and gear lever knob are all finished with aluminium. What you end up with is a quality interior that provides you with the feeling that you’re about to set off in something special.
And then there’s the technology which includes a driver sports pack that when activated increases the responsiveness of the engine and gearbox, turns the dials in-front of you from white to red (will make you faster) displays vehicle dynamic parameters – acceleration, power delivery and turbo – and amplifies the engine sound inside the cabin itself (will make you faster) The thing is, the 308 GTi is a fast and fun hatchback, a car that you’d be more than impressed with every time you take it out of the garage for a spin but once the dynamic mode is activated, you’d better hold on tight.
The difference between normal and dynamic is indeed, dynamic, actually, make that dynamic X 2! The additional sound of the engine on song piped into the cabin is addictive enough but combine that with the sharpened response you get from the slightest touch on the accelerator and you’re in for a whole lot of fun.
Peugeot’s much discussed compact steering wheel, designed to give you a clearer view of the iCockpit dials and instruments whilst delivering heightened responses and improved agility in the corners, comes into its own when you start to press on as it allows you to feel exactly what is going on with the front end of the car. And that’s what you want in a hot hatch as potent as this.
Oliver’s Mount, towering above the beautiful seaside resort of Scarborough, spends some of its time as one of the few (only?) road racing circuits left on the mainland, is the perfect place to allow the Peugeot the time and space needed to fully test out the handling available. Granted, when not used for racing purposes the speed limits remain (rightly) in place but what you’re left with is a sinuous 2.43 mile ribbon of tarmac that, due to it’s tight and twisting nature, is not somewhere that top speed is relevant.
With maximum torque of 330Nm available at just 1900rpm this incredible engine gives you the tools needed that allow you to concentrate fully on placing the 308 exactly where you want it to go. With corners arriving thick and fast on this fantastic circuit, the Peugeot’s 380mm ventilated front brake discs mounted on aluminium hubs and squeezed by vibrant red fixed callipers, offer powerful braking with plenty of feel for those moments when retardation is the name of the game whilst the finely-balanced suspension system, Peugeot say, lets you drive the car dynamically with complete confidence. The pseudo-MacPherson front axle operates with precision, while the rear axle with its torsion-beam system ensures a seamless pairing. And they’re certainly not wrong.
In the drivers seat this all means that you have a hot hatch that truly lives up to the name, a car that can be thrilling in the right situation, a car that offers phenomenal speed and acceleration combined with a chassis, brakes and suspension that combine to become an extension of yourself. Think about attacking a particular stretch of road and the car responds brilliantly to your every input, no matter how small, delivering a visceral thrill ride that’s impossible to beat at this price point. It really is an incredible experience.
Then there’s the 308 GTi By Peugeot Sport you get for everyday use. A car that offers room for 5 adults, a large 9.7-inch multi – function touch screen that houses a number of key standard features such as Satellite navigation, Reversing camera display, Telephony including contact list and keypad and Dual zone climate control settings to keep things comfortable. Simple to set up Bluetooth music streaming and DAB radio take control of entertainment during a long drive and then there’s Peugeot’s Open and Go keyless entry and start system, a system that works so well it’s rather difficult to go back to a more conventional key.
Overall, Peugeot have taken the already brilliant 308 GTi By Peugeot Sport as was and along with the rest of the range, made it even better. Everything about this car shows the duality that a hot hatch should offer: Everyday driving, Shopping, School run, commuting and then, at the press of a button you have a proper sports car. And all with a proper size boot. At £29,050 Peugeot have another worthy addition to their GTi lineage.
Where will you go?