Peugeot 308 GTi 2017 Review

The flow of time is indeed cruel because it only feels like yesterday when motoring.com.au named Peugeot's 308 GTi as one of its Top Five Performance Cars (Under $100K). Now, just eight months on, the affordable performance landscape has changed. Hot hatch fanciers have never had it better with the recent release of the upgraded Volkswagen Golf GTI that defines the genre and the imminent arrival of the previously denied Honda Civic Type R. Luckily for the French car-maker, Peugeot has also updated its 308 GTi. Let’s find out if the updates go far enough to fight off its usurpers.

Australian hot hatch fans rejoiced with the arrival of 308 GTi because it proved its smaller sibling, 208 GTi, was no fluke. Peugeot Sport, the Gallic car-maker's performance division, had finally rediscovered its hot-hatch mojo.

Better yet, this was no carbon copy of a Golf GTI. Spend time with the hot Pug and it feels refreshingly different and in some ways more enjoyable to attack your favourite country road.

For its mid-cycle refresher, the 308 GTi gets the very lightest nip and tuck.

Up front, this includes a new bonnet and front bumper that incorporate both a larger grille and bigger air intakes. The headlights differ too, with new LED elements neatly installed.

At the rear, there's a pair of tweaked lamps. If you're looking for a large rear spoiler and working diffuser, plus trick vents to extract turbulent air from the wheel-arches and claims of "real downforce" – prepare to be disappointed.

Peugeot Sport says it saw little need to chase "meaningless" Nurburgring times and claims those who do usually end up compromising the road car they're desperately trying to improve.

If you do want a little more external flamboyance. Peugeot thinks it has the answer as it's now possible to order the French hot hatch with blue and black two-tone paint that splits the car.

Personally, we wouldn't as it compromises the pleasing under-the-radar look of the French GTi.

Inside, there have been some useful changes. The infotainment system is bigger and incorporates Tom Tom 3D navigation that now offers a Mirror Link connection with your smartphone.

Like before, there's a pair of large supportive sport seats that include a welcome massage function to help pass the miles. Space in the rear is still tight for legroom, but OK for headspace. The boot, meanwhile, can swallow up to 470 litres with the spare wheel present.

New driver assistance packages also become standard. There's now semi-autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning that automatically nudges you back into your lane at speeds of over 65km/h, blind spot detection, a driver attention monitor and, finally, active cruise control.

Confident bordering on cocky, a Peugeot Sport engineer told us "nothing has changed" chassis-wise with the 308 GTi because there "wasn't any need".

To recap, that means it's still based on the same EMP2 platform that sees the 308 GTi weigh in at a remarkable 1280kg with drive on board -- almost 200kg lighter than the new Civic Type R.

The downside to that platform is that, instead of the Honda's exotic rear multi-link rear-end, the hot Pug has a humble torsion-beam rear axle and struts up front.

Changes over a regular 308 include a slightly lower ride height and broader footprint. The GTi sits 11mm lower, with a 10mm wider front and rear track.

Brakes are supplied by Alcon and comprise huge 380mm discs up front, combined with powerful four-piston callipers. At the rear the rotors measure in at a still-large 268mm.

Like before, the 308 GTi sports lightweight 19-inch alloys wrapped with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

To help channel the power there's a Torsen helical limited-slip differential as standard.

Speaking of power, the old 184kW version of the twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder is no more. Now there's just the more powerful 200kW/330Nm version.

Peugeot Sport boasts that it’s only just scratching the surface of the performance potential of the punchy little force-fed 1.6-litre, with mules running around France pumping out more than 230kW.

Unfortunately, the French car-maker wouldn't confirm when we'll see a true Golf R or Focus RS rival with about 250kW and all-wheel drive.

Another omission is the option of a two-pedal version. Again, Peugeot’s go-faster department say it’s working on it, with the firm's new eight-speed automatic already engineered to work with the trick diff.

Despite its age, behind the wheel the 308 remains an impressive place to perch. The minimalist i-cockpit doesn't feel old and cabin quality gives the Germans a good run for the money.

Shame then that despite having the opportunity to fix the driving position, Peugeot hasn't.

Adjust the steering and seat to what feels a natural position and, for me, the tiller completely obscures both speedo and tacho.

At least the driving experience still makes up for this astonishing failing.

From idle, the diminutive turbo engine is gruff and a little lacklustre, but once the rev-counter needle has arced its way past 3000rpm the little Peugeot flies.

Accelerating from standstill to 100km/h takes the same six seconds as the old car, which is three-tenths off the new Honda, but the energy and enthusiasm the 308 GTi can muster makes it feel quicker.

That's if you don't accidentally miss-shift the vague six-speed manual gearbox and hit first instead of third. We mercifully didn't but others did and it's another case of "why didn't they fix it?"

Unfortunately, our drive was limited to the track rather than the road, but the Ascari race circuit flattered in an environment that is often the downfall of many hot hatches.

While the (Mk7) VW Golf GTI 40 Years felt out of its depth at Tasmania's Baskerville raceway, the valiant little Peugeot lapped up the abuse at Ascari.

The steel brakes never faded and tyre wear was conservative. Better still was the way the 308 inspired confidence.

Despite lacking its rivals’ more sophisticated rear suspension, grip levels are high and the French GTi is playful, adjustable and everything a hot hatch should be -- whether you're aiming for lap times or just using the effective diff to drag you out of tight corners.

Of course, it's not perfect. The shrunken steering wheel and quick rack combo robs some feedback but the lightness, agility and sense of fun prevail.

To live with the Peugeot 308 GTi should be a pretty cost-effective exercise as it's claimed to average a very respectable 6.0L/100km (while emitting just 139g/km of CO2).

But would you want to live with one instead of the faster, be-winged Civic Type R or the consummate all-rounder that remains the Golf GTI?

Perhaps – but not at the out-going car's $50K price tag (plus ORCs). At that money, however talented, the 308 GTi remains out of its depth, but imagine if Peugeot Australia could carve $5000 off its list price.

At that price, the 308 GTi remains an entertaining alternative that well deserves the attention of spoilt-for-choice hot-hatch buyers.

2017 Peugeot 308 GTi pricing and specifications:
Price: $49,990 (estimated)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 200kW/330Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP