www.carshowroom.com.auis currently in Tasmania for the Australian media launch of Peugeot’s all-new 308 GTi.
A rival for the sporty Volkswagen Golf and Renault Megane models, the Peugeot 308 GTi has arrived in two models – the sporty 250 (as in horsepower) priced at $44,990 and the more hard-core 270 (as in horsepower) stickered at $49,990.
Peugeot’s Australian importer Syme Darby Group enjoys a close relationship with the parent company and this is paying-off with those Aussie prices said to undercut equivalent models in Great Britain by up to $9,000.
Power comes from Peugeot’s excellent turbocharged 1.6-litre engine (184kW/330Nm for the 250 or 200kW/330Nm for the 270).
The engine has been specifically created by Peugeot Sport and is a generational improvement over similar units fitted to the RCZ and 30th Anniversary models.
Both drive the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission – the same transmission found in the high-performance Peugeot RCZ-R but fettled by Peugeot Sport in France which is also currently developing an automatic version (although there is no timeline for when it will arrive).
Peugeot 308 GTi 270 models can be identified externally by handsome 19-inch alloy wheels running 235/35R 19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber and massive 380mm front brake discs sourced from British specialist Alcon.
Inside, the high-performance 308 GTi 270 runs excellent Peugeot Sport seats in Alcantara with electronic lumbar adjustment and massage function.
The racier 308 GTi model also picks-up a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential with a 35 per-cent lock-out rate – handy for getting some extra drive through the outside front wheel in tight corners.
The 308 GTi rides on Peugeot’s EMP2 platform with a MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion beam rear and 11mm reduction in ride height over the regular models.
Styling for both models is headlined by LED headlights - with 62 LEDS per light – framing a black sports grille and ‘dynamic’ LED turning lights.
There’s also some extra air intakes up-front feeding air to a ‘supercharged’ intake system for the turbocharger intercooler.
And you can also pick the side sill extenders and a gloss black rear diffuser.
Check back on Wednesday for our driving impressions.
