Set to take on the VW Golf GTI, Ford Focus RS, Renaultsport Megane and the Seat Leon Cupra.
The Peugeot 308 GTI performance hatchback has been showcased at the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA 2015), after it was unveiled at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 308 GTI is the first small hot hatch by the French automaker since the discontinuation of the 306 GTi when the new millennium was born. Meanwhile, the Peugeot 308 Racing Cup (the track-bred version of the 308 GTI) that was revealed online late last month, has been unveiled at the same show.
Set to rival a long list of performance hatchbacks including the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Renaultsport Megane, Ford Focus RS and the Seat Leon Cupra, the Peugeot 308 GTI is prepped in two variants. The entry-level 308 GTi 250 (denoting its maximum power of 250 hp) and the more powerful 308 GTi 270 (denoting 270 hp), are powered by the same up-rated 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. Both the variants are capable of churning out 330 Nm peak torque at 1,900-5,000 rpm, and both of them are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission only.
The Peugeot 308 GTI has wider front and rear track, and its suspension is retuned by Peugeot Sport. Hence the ride height of the hot hatch model is lower than that of the standard 308 by 11 mm. Compared to the standard 308, the springs on the 308 GTI are 60 percent stiffer at the front and 100 percent stiffer at the rear. There is a Sport button offered, to manipulate the steering and throttle responses. A separate button is provided to toggle the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control system to either sports mode or complete shut down.
Riding on the 225/45 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, the Peugeot 308 GTi 250 manages to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, while the 308 GTi 270 achieves the same in 6.0 seconds wearing the 235/35 R19 Michelin Super Sport rubbers. Stopping power comes from a sizeable, 380 mm ventilated front discs with Peugeot Sport branding on the calipers. The 308 GTI benefits also from a Torsen mechanical limited slip differential.
Sales of the French hot hatch will commence in October, at a reported price of about £26,500 (INR 27.08 lakhs) for the 308 GTi 250 and around £28,250 (INR 28.87 lakhs) for the 308 GTi 270.
The Peugeot 308 GTI at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show - Image Gallery
Peugeot at IAA 2015 - Press Release
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