Peugeot 308 R HYbrid wanted in Oz

French car-maker Peugeot may be farewelling its RCZ Coupe to focus on cash-cow models such as the 208 and 308 hatchback, but that doesn't mean it's ditching high-performance vehicles.

Quite the contrary; the company's hot shop, Peugeot Sport, is working on an even hotter version of the new 308 GTi launched this week – the ballistic 308 R HYbrid hyper hatch previewed at last year's Shanghai motor show.

The bonkers 300kW-plus technology showcase, which could steal the spotlight from cars like the Ford Focus RS, Audi RS 3 and Mercedes-AMG A 45, has been confirmed for production and is a near-certainty for Australia.

Asked if the 308 R HYbrid would be released here, Peugeot Australia's National Marketing Manager Dimitri Andreatidis said: "If they offered that car, we would greet it with open arms."

Although Peugeot Australia's marketing boss wouldn't officially confirm the 250km/h, all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid hatch for sale here, he gave the strongest hint yet that it will become the French brand's new performance flagship.

"If we were given an opportunity with the 308 R, if that was available – and I'm not saying in any way that it is — we would take the 308 R HYbrid."

Speaking at the national media launch of the new 308 GTi, which marks the return of Peugeot's GTi badge after a 15-year absence, Andreatidis said the new 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hot hatch, which starts at $44,990 for the 184kW version, marks a return to form for the brand.

"It gets enthusiasts re-energised," he said.

"I look at it from a selfish marketing perspective. We need to bring our mojo back, and we are renowned for creating sports cars. Good sports cars. We created an icon in the mid-1980s with the 205 GTi, so this is a return to what Peugeot is known for.

"The 308 GTi and any other products that may be in the pipeline -- and we can only speculate – show there's definitely this focus on bringing back these hot hatches."

Can Peugeot mix it with the wildest hot hatches from Germany, by utilising a hybrid-boosted 308 R? Have your say in the comments below.