The 308 hatchback has been a massive win for Peugeot, earning itself numerous awards and
praise from critics and punters alike.
So it makes sense that it’s been handed over to its Peugeot Sport department to create
this – the 308 GTi hot hatch.
Now this is coming off the back of the 208 GTi and the RCZ R, signs that the French brand
is getting its mojo back when it comes to performance models.
So it’s exciting times.
But let’s not forget its competition - the VW Golf GTi and the SEAT Leon Cupra.
Well, we’ve got the 308 GTi ‘turned up to 11’ today with this flagship 266bhp version.
So let’s take it for a spin.
Like I said this is the 267bhp version and that power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged
petrol – 267bhp from a 1.6-litre!
I mean that’s nuts.
This version gives you an added 20bhp over the standard 308 GTi – it also makes it
0.2 seconds quicker to 62mph as it boasts a sprint time of six seconds flat.
This model also gets chunky Brembo brakes, extra grippy Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres
and a Torsen Limited Slip Differential to help with cornering, and that’s on top of
the standard GTi tweaks like its lowered-ride and stiffened springs and dampers.
But does it feel like a mean hot hatch?
Well, there’s no denying that the 308 has a rather sensible aura – more so than its
smaller 208 GTi sibling.
Its ride is comfortable – for a hot hatch that is – and the steering is on the easily-manoeuvrable
light side.
And even its highly-tuned 1.6-litre turbo can feel a little flat and tepid when cruising
around town.
But not to worry.
You can press this little Sport button and it cattle prods the 308 and makes it a bit
more menacing.
The throttle response sharpens up, eliminating some of that lag I mentioned, the dials behind
the steering wheel turn red and the engine note gains more character, with a Tom Waits-like
huskiness.
A lot of this sound is spat out of the speakers synthetically though, which can be a pet peeve
for some.
The Sport mode is where you really start to feel like there’s actually 267bhp and 330Nm
of torque on offer though.
And it’s when you start to appreciate that this car has a great chassis and can dig itself
into the tarmac on corners brilliantly.
The steering lacks a bit of feel, you can get a bit of torque steer and the six-speed
manual, while snappy, does have a long throw – but don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t
stop you from having a lot of fun… this car can really go.
Inside the 308 GTi you get these half leather bucket seats, which in our model have a massage
function, GTi branding dotted about and Peugeot’s shrunken steering wheel, which can make it
difficult to see the speedometer at times.
You also get a long list of tech which is crammed into this 9.7-inch touchscreen.
There’s Bluetooth, a reversing camera, climate control, DAB radio and sat-nav.
The sat-nav can actually be a little touch and go, sending you on strange wild goose
chases and having to go into the menus just to operate climate control is a bit of pain.
Build quality is pretty good though, there are some cheap plastics but the soft-touch
dashboard helps counteract these.
Storage up-front is fair as well, although the glovebox is pretty much non-existent.
At the end of the day this is a hatchback, so you are likely to have rear passengers,
and they’ll be comfy enough, but leg room is hardly class leading and head room, while
okay, is comprised by the panoramic roofs.
Certainly enough space for kids though.
The boot is the 308’s headlining practicality feature and with 470 litres there is loads
of space for shopping and camera kit if need be.
Just be aware of the lump in the middle of the loading space when you fold the seats
down.
308 GTi ownership comes in at just under £27,000 – or just over £28,000 if you want the
higher-output model, which we think is definitely work the extra bunce.
With prices like that the 308 is just about cheaper than the SEAT Leon Cupra and VW Golf
GTi – just be wary of running costs though, because although this claims an average of
47mpg – we’ve been getting closer to 30mpg.
A hot hatch is supposed to offer a blend of sportiness and practicality – and the 308
GTi certainly does that.
But its family-friendly hatchback side is slightly more prevalent.
If you are after that kind of thing, then great.
You may also want to check out the Golf GTi as well.
But some hot hatch fans may want a car that’s nuts even when it’s stationary – and this
just isn’t like that.
But what do you think of the 308 GTi?
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channel.
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