Peugeot 308 GTi now $4000 cheaper

Peugeot’s facelifted 308 hatchback range is now on sale in Australia, headlined by an upgraded 308 GTi that’s $4000 cheaper than before.

Now priced at $45,990 plus on-road costs (down from $49,990), the MY18 308 GTi 270 brings more value in the face of newer rivals like the Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS hot hatches (both priced at $50,990).

However, it’s still pricier than chief competitors like the Volkswagen Golf GTI (now from $37,490), Skoda Octavia RS (from $38,890) and Subaru WRX (from $39,240), with the new Renault Megane RS and all-new Hyundai i30N coming soon.

Likewise at the bottom end of the revised 308 line-up, first revealed in Europe in May, pricing now starts at $26,990 plus ORCs -- $1000 less than before but still well up on the most popular small hatchbacks, including the Volkswagen Golf (from $23,990).

However, the entry-level Active (and the mid-range Allure, which now also costs $1000 less at $31,990) comes standard with an automatic transmission.

The MY18 308 Allure diesel auto hatch is also $1000 cheaper at $35,990 plus ORCs and the Allure Touring wagon -- powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and six-speed auto combo -- now costs $1500 less at $37,990 plus ORCs.

The bad news is the 308 GT diesel hatch has been axed, therefore all Australian 308s except the six-speed manual-only 308 GTi will continue with a six-speed auto rather than the new eight-speed self-shifter now offered in Europe.

Full Australian specifications are yet to be announced, so it remains to be seen whether our 308s come with the host of new driver assistance technologies now standard in Europe.

These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning that automatically nudges you back into your lane at speeds of over 65km/h, blind spot detection, a driver attention monitor, active cruise control with stop-go function and a 180-degree rear-view camera and park assistant.

Under the bonnet, the 308’s base 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is said to offer enhanced fuel economy and emission levels courtesy of enhanced combustion efficiency and a re-routed exhaust gas system.

Cosmetically, the mildly updated MY18 308 sports a new bonnet, grille and front bumper with large air intakes and revised fog lights, revised headlights with LED elements and reworked tail-lights.

Inside -- at least in Europe, where it’s now possible to order the 308 GTi with blue and black two-tone paint that splits the car – there’s an updated infotainment system that brings new Tom Tom 3D satellite-navigation with real-time traffic updates and smartphone mirroring, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2018 Peugeot 308 pricing (plus ORCs):
Active 1.2T petrol (a) -- $26,990
Allure 1.2T petrol (a) -- $31,990
Allure 2.0T diesel (a) -- $35,990
Allure Touring 2.0T diesel (a) -- $37,990
GTi 270 1.6T petrol manual -- $45,990