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The Peugeot 208 GTi is an excellent hot hatch that finally gets close to the legendary 205 GTi in terms of capability. So it's only right that we have a decent, bigger Peugeot performance model to follow in the tyre treads of the old 306 GTi-6 - say hello to the Peugeot 308 GT, available as either a hatch or SW estate.
Outside
How to spot a 308 GT: hope the buyer has specified it in Magnetic Blue, the colour you see in the images. This is exclusive to the hottest 308 so far, evoking a shade reserved for French competition vehicles. If, however, the owner has been inconsiderate enough to spec it in something boring like silver, then there are some other giveaways. The first is spotting that the Lion badge has moved from the bonnet's leading edge into a redesigned front grille, featuring three horizontal blades either side. This logo'd feature is flanked by headlights made up of 62 LEDs, while the indicators sweep outwards in the direction of turning - like high-spec Audi models.
There are new air scoops in the edges of the front bumper for additional engine cooling, while black lacquered door mirrors are teamed with tinted windows for some visual clout. The GT has 18-inch 'Diamant' alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres and subtle side skirts beef up the flanks. At the rear, twin exhaust pipes, a GT signature integrated into the tailgate and a lacquered black diffuser are all included.
Inside
Anthracite roof lining and window pillars set the tone within, while red stitching is liberally used to lift the ambience. There's aluminium detailing on the pedals and stainless steel sill plates in the doors. The 308's tiny steering wheel remains, although the hot model gets a bespoke version with perforated leather and a GT badge. A chequered flag motif background to the instrument panel and touchscreen displays in a red-and-black colour scheme known as 'Redline' round things off nicely.
Every 308 GT comes with a Driver Sport Pack (DSP), which is switchable thanks to a button on the console to put the car into 'comfort' mode if you're just not in the mood. The DSP includes an amplified and more sporty engine noise; instruments illuminated with a red display; an instrument panel that displays the power and torque delivered, turbo pressure, longitudinal and transverse acceleration; firmer and more responsive power steering; more responsive accelerator pedal mapping; and more responsive operation of the EAT6 automatic gearbox on the diesel, with steering wheel-mounted paddles to boot.
The GT also comes with a Driver Assistance Pack, incorporating Dynamic Cruise Control, a collision alert system and preventative braking. On top of that it has blind spot monitoring and park assist functions.
Under the bonnet
The chassis has been tweaked on the GT, riding 7mm and 10mm lower at the front and rear respectively, and the 308 benefits from a pair of EU6-compliant engines. There's a petrol-fuelled 1.6-litre turbo four with 205hp and 285Nm (from 1,750- to 4,500rpm), equating to a power-to-weight ratio of 171hp-per-tonne. The THP 205 can return 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km) combined and emits 130g/km of CO2, thanks in part to stop-start, plus it is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
The diesel is a 2.0-litre BlueHDi motor, making 180hp at 3,750rpm and 400Nm at 2,000rpm. Emissions are pegged at 103g/km with fuel economy quoted at 70.6mpg (4.0 litres/100km). The diesel has an EAT6 six-speed automatic transmission. Choose the SW variants of either engine and there's a slight hit on the efficiency figures - the petrol model returns 48.7mpg (5.8 litres/100km) and 134g/km, the diesel 68.9mpg (4.1 litres/100km) and 107g/km.
Peugeots engineers have worked on sharpening things up for the GT, giving it suspension that is between 10- and 20 per cent stiffer than standard front-to-rear. The electric power steering has been geared specifically to the 308 GT and the brakes are 330mm discs at the front with 268/290mm (hatch/SW) items at the rear.
When does it arrive?
The 308 GT will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next month and is available to order in November when full specification and prices will be announced, with deliveries commencing at the beginning of January 2015.
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