The UK is a big market for hot hatches and Peugeot will use this year’s Goodwood Moving Motor Show (June 25) to host the global and European debuts of two performance cars. “A new 308 performance model” will make its world debut as the 500 hp 308 R HYbrid makes its first European appearance. The blue beast was first shown at Shanghai last month.
The “performance model” in question should be the new Peugeot 308 GTi, which will sit on top of the current 308 GT. Available as a five-door hatch and SW wagon, the warm GT is powered by a 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo engine with 205 hp and 285 Nm of torque (our 308 THP has 152 PS/240 Nm), mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. There’s also the option of a 2.0 litre BlueHDi diesel engine with 180 hp and 400 Nm, with a six-speed auto.
So that’s the GT bar for the 308 GTi to jump over – 205 hp and 285 Nm. To compare, the Mk7 VW Golf GTI makes 220 PS/350 Nm, the Ford Focus ST 250 hp/340 Nm, and the Renault Megane RS 265 hp/360 Nm. Those are the guys the 308 GTi needs to match or beat. The red/black car you see here is the 308 R concept from Frankfurt 2013, and the production GTi would do well to look like it.
The show is an extension of the famous Goodwood Hill Climb, and the new hot hatch will be driven up the hill during the main Festival of Speed’s ‘First Glance’ section. Visitors will be able to book drives up the hill course in the 308 GT, 308 GT Line PureTech 1.2-litre and the 208 GTi. All will be on the stand together with motorsport heroes 205 T16, the 208 WRX world rallycross car, and the 2008 DKR Dakar Rally machine.
Peugeot 308 GT
