The Enfant Terrible Is Back

31 December 2015 Redazione News, Tested

Words by Andrea Balti

PeugeotSport has strung major success and acclaim over the years, but if you entered the world of hot hatches only in recent years, maybe you’re struggling trying to figure out to something interesting when referring to the production of the French lion, to say the least from when airbags have become standard. To keep up with its compatriot Renault and its exceptional RenaultSport department, here comes the 308 GTI, which thanks to those three magic letters aims to make you fall down from the chair in a spasm of surprise that will make you say “Dad, I want a Peugeot”. Go and explain to your daddy that the times of horrid things with sliding doors are finished and that the French brand has returned in the sports cars segment with something so close to the cars he was used to, go and convince him that you are not joking and that this 1.6cc 4-cylinder is able to supply 270 horsepower and 330Nm of torque, of course only on the front wheels, but mated with a Torsen differential can give you a hand for grounding all this power without hideous understeer and skidding. Practical, comfortable, well refined and powerful, we can almost claim it as a total package. It just only miss a strong character, able, if you opted for a monochrome livery (I recommend hands down the two-tone red and black one), to make this GTI something really special. The cabin is very clean and smooth, I’m not crazy for the small steering wheel but we’ll get used to and fuel consumption stood at a more than acceptable average of 10 km/l. Not bad if you count that we are talking about an all pepper mid-sized French hatchback, that can also be used by mom, aunt and grandmother, always ready to be slaughtered on some mountain road, or why not, even on the track (ok, this time, maybe not by your grandma).
The step ahead from the latest models, including the ugly RCZ, is remarkable, but I would not compare it with the Megane RS, which would win a hypothetical face-off. The chassis of the 308 GTI is good, neither too hard nor too soft, and the end result is a general usability at 360 degrees: a small compromise that will cost you a few kph through the corners. Then performance: for being a car of almost 300 horses, it’s not fast as hell, and I’m referring to acceleration and torque in high gears. Instead, what convinces and leaves you satisfied is the overall feeling that you can establish once at the wheel of the most powerful 308 in the lot. A perfect combination of arrogance and incisiveness, without ever losing from sight the core of every self respecting hot hatch which is the capability to be taken anywhere and everywhere. Personally, I’d prefer a clear and decided stance, maybe departing from the preferences of some, to fully satisfy those of others, rather than being half way in an attempt to conquer everyone’s taste. I would have preferred it more angry, more violent, but having said that, I welcome with enthusiasm the return of the lion in the roel of the lion, anxious to see the evolution of this interesting and surprising GTI.

PEUGEOT 308 GTI (2015)

Layout   – front-engined, front wheel drive

Engine – 4 cylinder 1.598cc – turbo

Transmission – 6-speed manual gearbox

Power – 270 hp @ 6000 rpm

                     330 Nm @ 1900-5500 rpm

Weight – 1280 kg

Acceleration – 6,4 sec.

Top Speed – 251 kph

Price – from € 32.500