Peugeot 308 GTi finally outed

Powered by a highly-strung 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, riding on a lower, specially-tuned chassis and fitted with sporty visual cues, the new Peugeot 308 GTi has broken cover and is a certainty for Australia, with pricing expected to start at around $50,000.

To make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this week, the hard-charging Frenchie will sit above the $41,990 Peugeot 308 GT warm hatch, a 151kW/285Nm proposition, the GTi is only the third model thus far to be tuned by Peugeot Sport – the company's performance division – after the RCZ-R and 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Edition.

As such, it hikes power to a potent 200kW at 6000rpm and 330Nm at 1900rpm, which together with a Torsen front diff and a six-speed manual – sorry, no auto at this stage – is enough mumbo to see the suave European hottie accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed six seconds flat. The 1205kg hot four has an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

Although the 1.6-litre engine is smaller in displacement than the 2.0-litre engines rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST, and therefore doesn’t have quite as much torque, it belts out more power while using less petrol.

The Pug's claimed fuel efficiency of 6.0L/100km means it's more miserly than the VW (6.5L/100km) and Ford (7.3L/100km), which could be crucial for hot hatch buyers looking at mitigating their running costs.

As well as tweaks to the engine, the new 308 GTi features significantly revised suspension that could be enough to give the all-conquering Renault Megane RS pause for thought.

As well as dropping the 308's ride height by 11mm, Peugeot Sport has widened the front and rear tracks, increased spring stiffness by a whopping 60 and 100 per cent stiffer front and rear, added firmer bushings at the rear and increased front wheel camber.

Despite the increases in chassis firmness, Peugeot reckons the new car has been set up to go fast on country roads, rather than billiard-table-smooth racetracks.

Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels shod with massive 235/35 R-spec Michelin Super Sport tyres, grip levels are expected to be impressive, and with sizable 380mm front discs the super Pug should decelerate promptly too.

Mirroring the Golf GTI line-up that consists of regular and higher-spec Performance models, Peugeot will offer European buyers a more affordable, slightly less powerful 184kW version of the 308 GTi.

It misses out on the Torsen diff, gets smaller 268mm front disc brakes and smaller 18-inch alloy rims shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, and is slower to 100km/h (6.2 seconds).

It's not clear if both 200kW and 184kW models will be offered in Australia but motoring.com.au can understands that Peugeot Automobiles Australia general manager John Startari is now in Paris now to negotiate with the factory on price and timing.

We understand Peugeot will make an announcement about its local strategy for the 308 GTi by September.

Cosmetic updates to the car are minimal, which could appeal to more mature buyers keen for conservative visuals. They include a bolder front grille flanked by lateral air intakes and a beefier body kit comprising de rigueur side skirts and a narrow rear diffuser bordered by a pair of large circular exhaust outlets.

However, for those after something more striking there is a Coupe Franche option, which costs extra but adds an audacious red/black exterior paint scheme.

Inside the cabin the 308 GTi features redesigned sports seats finished in leather and Alcantara, while much of the 308 GT's flourishes carry through.

It's no secret the new-generation 308 is one of the best cars the French company has ever made, so a flagship hot hatch version will be a welcome entry that should help spike sales.

The biggest challenge for Peugeot Australia will be getting the halo car here at a reasonable price. Pegged at £28,250 in the UK, that equates to around $58,000 in Australia, which for a manual-only, front-drive rival for the AWD Golf R (from $52,740) would be prohibitive.