Peugeot Australia has confirmed it will offer two variants of the 2016 Peugeot 308 GTi which will go on-sale in the first quarter of next year (2016).

PEUGEOT AUSTRALIA has today confirmed that two variants of the 2016 Peugeot 308 GTi will be available in Australia from early next year. Pricing and final specification still hasn’t been released.

Available only with a 1.6-litre THP petrol engine making either 182kW or 200kW (both offer 330Nm of torque) with a six-speed manual only, the 308 GTi has been breathed on by Peugeot Sport which has “taken the very capable 308 chassis and elevated it to produces top-level road holding and driving pleasure, with performance enhanced by a Torsen limited-slip differential in higher powered models”.

The limited-slip differential also “draws on new Traction Control guidelines to ensure optimal implementation, while sportier ESP programming allows more latitude, with enhanced drift on bends. The ESP can be fully disconnected,” Peugeot said.

The engine drinks 95RON and up and has enough grunt to get the legal limit in 6.0-seconds (6.2secs for the 182kW version). Ventilated discs run front and rear (380mm and 268mm, respectively). Front and rear suspension is straight off the 308 GT model, although with specific tweaks to the GTi, including the entire vertical suspension system in the front, and includes bespoke spring stiffness and shock absorber calibration. The anti-roll bar is more malleable to ensure a better match with the rear axle that enhances grip while cornering to increase road holding.

With a wider track of 1570mm at the front and 1554mm at the rear, the 308 GTi “has been engineered to offer improved grip”. GTi 250 versions are shod with 225/40 R18 92W Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres on ‘Diamant’ alloy wheels, while the GTi 270 versions feature the new 19-inch ‘Carbone’ light-weight alloy wheels and are equipped with Michelin Super Sport 235/35 R19 91Y tyres, which showcase the 380mm front discs, complete with solid red four-piston callipers and PEUGEOT SPORT signature.

General Manager of Peugeot Australia, John Startari, said “For 30 years the GTi badge has held an esteemed position in the motoring world and now Peugeot Sport have taken a highly awarded vehicle and applied their engineering prowess to give it the performance credentials worthy of the badge.

“The launch of the 308 GTi signals Peugeot is back and we are back doing what we do best; offering fun, efficient, enjoyable, comfortable and, in the case of 308 GTi, thoroughly engaging performance vehicles.

“The 308 GTi will certainly give hot hatch customers a reason to look forward to 2016,” said Startari.

The 308 is the latest in a long line of fire-breathing Peugeots.

“As with competition models, in developing the 308 GTi, we targeted all aspects of the car, including weight, the efficiency of the chassis and brakes, the engine performance and the body-hugging seats,

“Those who buy the car are set for an intense experience with this new version developed by our entire team. It comes with a raft of high-end performance features as standard,” says Bruno Famin, Director of Peugeot Sport.

“The Peugeot 308 provided an excellent base from which to develop a hot hatch, and our work mainly lay in optimising the original design to achieve engaging performance. But you have to get the 308 GTi on the road or on the circuit to really experience its true potential,” offers Pierre Budar, Peugeot Sport Project Manager

A ‘Coupe Franche’ two-tone design is exclusive to the GTi 270 version and contrasts the vibrant new ‘Ultimate Red’ colour with Nera Black. The 308 GTi is also available in the new Ultimate Red, Pearlescent White, Magnetic Blue, Nera Black, Cumulus Grey as well as the standard colour, a non-metallic Hurricane Grey.

On the inside, red stitching is used on the upholstery, door panels, gear lever and luxury floor mats. The door sill carries the GTi and PEUGEOT SPORT signature and is finished in aluminium. The same material is used on the pedals, foot rest and gear knob. In the top-spec GTi 270 version, Peugeot Sport ‘bucket’ seats are upholstered in Alcantara with red stitching providing cosseting lateral support to ensure the driver feels at one with the car at all times. 

The compact steering wheel offers strong grip and precision, with a full-grain leather design featuring the GTi logo at the bottom and a red centring mark at the top. It also leaves plenty of room to see the head-up display over it, housing the instrument panel read-outs with chequered backdrops, and the GTi greeting at its centre. Adding to the performance experience is the standard fitment of the Driver Sport Pack. Pressing the Sport button on the centre console changes the display from white to red, shows additional information on the central read-out (power, torque, boost, lateral and longitudinal acceleration), enhances the engine’s “throaty growl” (we’re confirming if, like the 308 GT, the engine noise is artificial) and changes accelerator pedal mapping for a more engaging driving experience.