Skip advert
Advertisement

Hot Peugeot 308 GTi spied undisguised for the first time

Peugeot's fiery SEAT Leon Cupra rival spotted in production form, set to get 270bhp from a 1.6-litre turbo and hit showrooms later in 2015

After Peugeot confirmed we'll be seeing the new 308 GTi at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, we've now seen the hot hatch with no disguise whatsoever. Set to go head-to-head with the SEAT Leon Cupra, the scorching French family car will hit showrooms towards the end of the year. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Using the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine as the RCZ R, the 308 GTi will sit alongside the Audi TT rival as the most powerful car Peugeot produces, with around 270bhp. The RCZ R is unlikely to be replaced, so the GTi will take over the performance mantle for the brand on its demise.

Styling upgrades over the GT are subtle yet purposeful, including larger alloys with a neat matt black and silver design, red brake calipers, a honeycomb mesh front grille and chunky dual exhaust tips housed in a diffuser-style bumper insert. It also appears to sit a bit lower on its springs than before.

We've previously spotted disguised versions of the 308 hot hatch undergoing cold weather testing in Finland, and our source back then revealed Peugeot isn’t intending to get involved in the current Nurburgring hot hatch war - unlike Renault, Honda and SEAT.

Suspension tweaks, uprated brakes and a Torsen limited-slip differential are also expected to help manage the hike in power over the GT model. But we don't expect this to take on the same hardcore approach as cars like the new Honda Civic Type R, with a more compliant, road-biased setup. 

It will be offered strictly with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, but future sports models from the brand will be made available with a new eight-speed automatic transmission currently under development.

The 266bhp 1.6-litre THP four cylinder turbo is now used across several cars in Peugeot's range. As well as the RCZ-R, a detuned version currently provides power in the warm 202bhp 308 GT, as well as the 208 GTi. 

There has been confirmation of any involvement from Peugeot Sport on the development of the GTi, but tinkering by Peugeot’s motorsport arm is likely to be saved for the even faster 308 R if it’s given the green light. We expect the 308 GTi to kick off from around £26,000 when it goes on sale later this year.

Now read about all the best hot hatchbacks you can buy in the UK.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Older drivers don’t care about in-car tech, but millennials want more
Auto Express UX web developer Victoria Coquet driving the Peugeot E-3008

Older drivers don’t care about in-car tech, but millennials want more

Peugeot research reveals the size of the age-gap when it comes to connectivity and autonomous features in cars
News
13 Mar 2025
Peugeot 308 and 408 plug-in hybrids now go further with boost to nearly 50 miles of EV range
Peugeot 308 SW - front tracking

Peugeot 308 and 408 plug-in hybrids now go further with boost to nearly 50 miles of EV range

The new plug-in hybrid powertrain will be available in 308, 308SW and 408
News
26 Feb 2025
Stellantis bets big on hybrid cars with expanded line-up plan
Peugeot 5008 - badge

Stellantis bets big on hybrid cars with expanded line-up plan

Parent company of Peugeot, Citroen and Alfa Romeo won’t hedge its bets, with plans afoot to bolster HEV offer
News
14 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025
New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Opinion - Kia

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots

Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Opinion
19 May 2025