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Peugeot’s 308 GTi blasts into SA

NAUGHTY BUT NICE: Peugeot's hot hatch 308 GTi makes powerful look cool.
NAUGHTY BUT NICE: Peugeot's hot hatch 308 GTi makes powerful look cool.
Peugeot’s 308 hatchback range has been expanded by incorporating a new flagship model, the fire-breathing 147kW GTi.

It's based on the five-door 308 and can be distinguished from its lesser siblings by its lower front bumper and deeper rear apron with an diffuser finished in pearl black. The mandatory rear spoiler adds more than aesthetic appeal – it also adds to the car's stability at high speeds.

Aluminium details dominate the 308 GTi’s cabin; the fascia has piano-black inserts.

However, just because this is the scorching flagship of the family hatchback range, don’t expect bare-bones treatment – the GTi comes with a glass roof with a power blind, front and rear parking sensors, light and rain sensors, an audio system with USB functionality and semi-leather seats.

New 1.6 turbo

The 308 GTi uses the same Macpherson strut and torsion beam arrangement as other 308 models but its front axle has stiffer and larger-diameter bushes lifted from the 407 Coupe and shock-absorber settings have been altered all round. Ride height is 10mm lower and, along with the uprated chassis and adjustments to the steering, combine all the aforementioned make a car that handles sharper and is more responsive.

Power comes from the company’s new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine first seen in the RCZ coupe launched recently in South Africa. The fuel injected four-cylinder engine uses a twin-scroll turbocharger and dual-valve timing and valve lift on the intake camshaft.

Peugeot claims average fuel consumption in the combined cycle as 6.9 litres/100km, CO2 emissions of 159g/km.

The 1.6 THP generates 147kW from 5800-6800rpm and its peak torque of 275Nm from  1700-4500rpm. Drive is to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE: There's nothing over the top about the 308 GTi's cabin where the aluminium accents are simple and the arrangements straightforward.

The eager 308 GTi is said to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds, and go on to 237km/h.

Stopping power is the task of a braking system using 340mm diameter discs at the front and 290mm at the rear, matched to an ABS system. The look is completed with new 18" wheels.

Additional safety kit includes six airbags, ESP with electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and traction control. Certain functions can be switched off to allow more demanding drivers to exploit the car’s abilities.

A new Peugeot 308 GTi will cost R293 335 plus CO2 emissions tax and the price includes a five-year or 90 000km service plan and a three-year or 100 000km warranty.
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