Peugeot unveils new 308 GTI 18 | 06 | 2015

AHEAD OF NEXT weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Peugeot has unveiled its new 308 GTI. gunning for the likes of the Ford Focus ST, the Peugeot five-door hot hatch delivers 268bhp from the same 1.6-litre THP petrol engine as the RCZ-R.

It's worth highlighting that the powerplant has been tweaked for Euro6 compliance, yet it hits 62mph from standstill in 6.0secs and emits class-leading 139g/km.

Interestingly, Peugeot has decided to also offer a 247bhp version of the same engine, and both models come with a manual six-speed gearbox as standard, with power delivered to the front wheels.

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The significant difference between the two is the 268bhp version gets a mechanical Torsen limited slip differential, carried over from the RCZ-R and the 208 GTI 30th edition.

Compared to the 308 TG, the GTI sits 11mm closer to the ground on dramatically firmer springs. The campers have also been recalibrated, as have the hydraulic bump stops, and the car sits on 19in alloys; though it's 18n alloys for the 247bhp version.

Naturally, Peugeot has tweaked the 308 GTI's styling, but thankfully it's nothing too garish. There's additional spoia gloss black diffuser and twin exhausts lers and intakes, sill extenders, and an exclusive black grille.

The 308 GTI will be available at Scottish Peugeout dealerships from September, with prices expected to start around £28,000; the entry-level 247bhp version is expected to be close to £2000 cheaper.

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Jim McGill