Hot hatch alert: The new Peugeot 308 GTI

New hot hatch arriving soon: The Peugeot 308 GTI

The new Peugeot 308 GTI was debuted at the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed and it looks fantastic. Large wheels, sharp lines and an aggressive stance make the vehicle stand out aesthetically. Looks can’t kill though as much as it seems like they can, so the new 308 GTI has to do more than looking good to be able to face up to its competitors. Peugeot promises that this car is not just for staring at, but rather they have labelled the car as “The ultimate hot hatch”. So what’s under the hood?

Engines:

The 308 GTI will have two power packages to choose from, a 184 kW version and a 200 kW version, all from a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine which packs 330 Nm. Impressive. The former is capable of a 6.2 seconds 0 – 100 km/h time and the latter, a 6.0 second flat time. The car features lightweight construction methods, a limited slip differential as well as firmer and lower suspension. An upgraded braking system and “The Drivers Sport Package” further add to the thrill of the car. A sport button comes as part of the package which gives the car a more aggressive engine map and changes the colours on the dash from white to red. Oh yeah.

Looks:

The car is styled with subtle changes, but in a way that makes you see that it is different from the normal 308. The large 19-inch wheels are a contributing factor that makes the car look full and muscular. Dual exhaust pipes on each side of the rear bumper also add to the 308 GTI’s sporty appeal. The car is really good looking, it’s not brash or in your face but rather it’s styled like a well-tailored suit, it fits just right.

Responsible power:

Since the car features a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine (the most powerful in its segment), fuel economy is claimed at 6.0 litres/ 100km, which is a great achievement from the brand. All the best to the driver trying to achieve that figure as with all performance cars, great restraint is needed to get good economy.

Verdict:

We look forward to getting behind the wheel of the Peugeot 308 GTI because as it stands, it looks promising. Expect to see the car in South Africa mid-2016. It has some big names up against it, we hope it can hold its own because we all love a good underdog story.