• There's a turn-around. The GTI returns.

    Months after telling the world there will be no more GTI's, Peugeot seem to have had a change of heart. Perhaps its the interest in the RCZ, or the recent winning ways in motorsport, but whatever the reason, we're glad its happened. Read on for the latest offering to sport the iconic badge.
    308gti_2..jpg
    Press release
    308 GTi, Emotion without compromise

    Peugeot returns to the world of the GTi with the launch of the 308 GTi, a sporty hatchback for a new era: enjoyable for day to day driving and environmentally-friendly. Available exclusively as a 5 door model only, it combines a modern synthesis of versatility and driveability.
    Sporty driving in step with the times

    The 308 GTi has a sporty nature that is in tune with our current times:
    - well-heeled athleticism for day-to-day driving enjoyment and a high level of onboard comfort at all engine speeds but, stopping short of being a specialist vehicle, yet still able to offer real excitement when its “driver” asks more of it.
    - environmentally-friendly, combining good levels of performance with fuel consumption of only 6.9 litres/100 km for 159 g/km of CO2.

    The 1.6 litre THP 147 kW (200 bhp) engine - Maximising efficiency

    At the heart of the vehicles sporty nature is the all new 1.6 litre THP 147 kW (200 bhp) engine, launched simultaneously in the RCZ Coupé, a key factor in the overall efficiency of the 308 GTi. Combining a number of innovative technologies – THP (Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct petrol injection), and VTi (variable valve lift and valve timing) – this engine, mated to a 6-speed manual
    gearbox, offers high levels of driveability.
    Its maximum power of 147 kW is available from 5500 to 6800 rpm, combined with a constant maximum torque of 275 Nm between 1700 and 4500 rpm, the 308 GTi also offers particularly low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The sound of the engine is also particularly distinctive during acceleration thanks to the adoption of Sound System technology.
    The car’s chassis has also been adapted to match the characteristics of the engine: fitted with 225/40 R18 tyres, it combines excellent stability at high speed with guaranteed comfort at low speed. 340 mm diameter brake discs at the front and 290 mm at the rear ensure high levels of braking performance.

    Expressive style

    Outside, the 308 GTi makes subtle play of its distinctive features, meeting the wishes of discerning customers who know exactly what will set heads turning. The 308 GTi stands out from the rest of the range by:
    - a bright black carbon-style insert under the front bumper lower skirt (specificity France),
    - its “Sport” lower front panel derived from the 308 CC,
    - its lower rear bumper panel with Perla Nera black diffuser,
    - its rear spoiler, offering additional efficiency at high speeds,
    - a twin chrome exhaust pipes,
    - “GTi” badges on the side and rear of the body,
    - distinctive interior features, aluminium foot rest and gear knob, leather sport steering wheel with aluminium flattened lower edge and thumb rests, piano black fascia, ... )

    The uncompromising sports credentials of the 308

    The enthusiast drivers who will buy the 308 GTi will of course also benefit from an exclusive and sporty vehicle, but also from all of the qualities that have made the five-door 308 hatchback a success, in particular:
    - High levels of comfort and convenience when inside the car, thanks to its semi-tall architecture ensuring exceptional interior brightness, visibility (a glazed surface area of up to 4.86 m2) and interior space, not forgetting its stylish and elegant fascia panel, its build quality and its distinctive acoustics…
    - Maximum safety thanks to its structure and high-performance means of restraint (5 stars in the EuroNCAP 2009 test), and also thanks to the “Peugeot Connect SOS” system which pinpoints the vehicle’s location in the event of an accident (optional at only 290 € or standard with WIP Com 3D).

    In France, the 308 GTi will be launched on the10th June, priced at 26,900 €.
    Comments 16 Comments
    1. PUG180's Avatar
      PUG180 -
      Another waste of the gti badge. 200bhp in something that big!!!!!!!!!
    1. Rich's Avatar
      Rich -
      Wonder how much it actually weighs ?

      Wish they would stop pissing around with that stupid 1600 lump and go back to proper displacement.
    1. oz's Avatar
      oz -
      Also, 5dr? What's so exclusive about having 5 doors?
    1. PUG180's Avatar
      PUG180 -
      Should have called it SPORT. That would be enough for their target audience.
    1. Rich's Avatar
      Rich -
      Quote Originally Posted by oz View Post
      Also, 5dr? What's so exclusive about having 5 doors?
      I think 5 doors combined with a GTi badge should be made illegal ....
    1. Baz T's Avatar
      Baz T -
      I just can't help but think it'll be slow, wallowy and nothing at all Gti-like.
    1. Henry Yorke's Avatar
      Henry Yorke -
      I'd have one. It is a more mature GTI, a bit like a 5door Golf GTI. You also find with these modern turbos, you don't need a load of bhp with all that torque. It is the torque that makes it a good drive as I find in my CTI. Gone of the days of thrashing the knackers off it. VTEC is just too much noise!
    1. PUG180's Avatar
      PUG180 -
      I have nothing against the car itself, but it is the use of the Gti badge. The name Gti conjours up certain memories and emotions.
      It's like when VW put Gti on everything a few years back. The name then becomes meaningless.
    1. pugmadnath's Avatar
      pugmadnath -
      Forgive me, but isn't this just a 308 GT with another 25bhp??
    1. Henry Yorke's Avatar
      Henry Yorke -
      Quote Originally Posted by PUG180 View Post
      I have nothing against the car itself, but it is the use of the Gti badge. The name Gti conjours up certain memories and emotions.
      It's like when VW put Gti on everything a few years back. The name then becomes meaningless.
      It is a new market now as "GTI" just evolved into "boy racer" and put people off (Apart from VW where the history was strong, like the Beetle). These modern GTI's are aimed at ex-boy racer dads who have since grown up and are desperately trying hold onto their youth. They need something practical yet for the occasional school run and hark back to their younger days. I probably put myself in that category @ 36! The 4 door part also means you can get them as company cars as this is often one of the pre-requisites. If I was choosing a company 4 door car for £20k, I could probably have a specced 407, a pretty low spec Golf or a 308 GTI. However I do run around in an SP'd up 307 (practical) and a turbo CTI (fun) so maybe I am a little biased. The wife has a a Honda FRV which is the family wagon.
    1. WHISPERING JOHN's Avatar
      WHISPERING JOHN -
      Peugeot has launched a GTI version of the 308 - but the model won't be coming to the UK.

      The Peugeot 308 GTI will only be available in France where the GTI badge doesn't hold the same prestige as in the UK. Peugeot UK has been offered the model, but if it arrives here it would be more likely to badged as a GT, which they already have.

      The GTI receives a styling upgrade over the standard 308 along with the the 197bhp 1.6 THP engine from the Peugeot RCZ. It sends power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

      The 308 GTI can get from 0-62mph in 7.7sec. It s CO2 emissions are rated at 159g/km, while the combined fuel economy is 41mpg.

      A revised suspension systems lowers the car by 10mm; styling upgrades include 18-inch alloy wheels, new front and rear spoilers, GTI badging and twin chrome exhaust tips. Inside, there's an aluminium gear knob and a leather sports steering wheel.
    1. Welshpug's Avatar
      Welshpug -
      they weigh about 1400 kilo's, with a towing cap of just over 1600 (2.0 136 hdi weighs nearly 100 kilos more )

      not surprising really, they're nearly as big as a 406 though the estate isn't as long, modern car evolution, higher safety levels, higher equipment levels etc etc etc! (5 ncap stars)

      207 is now as big as the 306 was.

      407 is as big as the old 505

      how big will the 508 be? epic probably!
    1. Henry Yorke's Avatar
      Henry Yorke -
      Quote Originally Posted by Welshpug View Post
      how big will the 508 be? epic probably!
      Press launch of the 608!
    1. pugmadnath's Avatar
      pugmadnath -
    1. PUG180's Avatar
      PUG180 -
      It may be big, but look how streamlined it is.
    1. Tonyp's Avatar
      Tonyp -
      Having now driven the 308 GT (as it is called in the UK) I confess to be mildly impressed. Yes its comfortable and fairly stiff, but nowhere near 'track capable'. Grip levels are high during fast road use but show it a tight corner on track and it either bogs down due to the ESP 'saving' you from hitting the imaginary wall, or understeers like a pig with the traction control switched off.

      However the engine was a revelation. virtually no lag from the 1.6 200bhp and really did propel the car along at a decent rate. I saw 120mph with plenty to go, and around Curborough it was pulling the same top speed across the line as a 215bhp impreza.
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