Following a long list of previous leaks about engine power and performances, Peugot finally unveiled the 308 GTi. The new hot hatch was already previewed by the 308 R Concept during last year, and is ready to make a full appearance during this fall Frankfurt Motor Show. Set to rival the Ford Focus ST, but also the Opel Astra OPC, the new 308 GTi is offered in two power versions, one with 250 hp and one with 270 hp.
The car adopts a striking stance, sitting 11 millimetres lower to the ground on large 19-inch Carbone 19 wheels. The GTi 270 version wraps all four in Michelin Super Sport rubber paired with light, Reverse rims that showcase the 380 mm discs in the front with red four-piston calipers. Across the upper section, Full LED headlamps flank an exclusive black radiator grille with a horizontal chequered pattern and gloss-black finishing.
This same motif is echoed on the grille of the ample air intake, which flows into the supercharging air cooler and is surrounded by dynamic-display LED indicators and a strip in red, or chrome with Ultimate Red. There are also two front spoilers below the bumper.
The body comes in six colourways: the new, explosive Ultimate Red, Magnetic Blue, Perla Nera Black, Artense Grey, Pearlescent White and Hurricane Grey. The 270 hp version of the 308 GTi features the exclusive Coupe Franche livery with its combination of Ultimate Red and Perla Nera Black.
The new 308 GTi sticks to the road, sitting on wide tracks—1,570 mm in the front and 1,554 mm in the rear—and Michelin Super Sport tyres (235/35 R19). The car also has 380 mm ventilated carbon discs in the front mounted on aluminium hubs featuring four pistons (38 and 41 mm) in a fixed caliper. The rear discs have a diameter of 268 mm. Exclusive to the GTi 270, a Torsen limited-slip differential has been incorporated into the transmission to improve cornering. By channelling the torque to the wheel with the highest traction, it also makes it possible to accelerate faster out of bends.
The hot hatch houses a 1.6L THP 270 S&S under the bonnet. The four-cylinder power plant delivers 169 hp per litre—the highest specific output in its segment. Yet with its Stop&Start technology and array of engineering expertise, it caps CO2 at just 139 g/km, or 6.0 L/100km, a record for the category.
Driver-adjusted chassis, power-packed engine, noise from the tailpipe, i-Cockpit, Driver Sport Pack, bucket seats: it is no wonder the car does 0-100 kph in a mere 6.0 seconds, covering 1,000 m from a standing start in 25.3 seconds.
