Peugeot 308 GT revealed
An all new Peugeot hot hatch, the 197bhp 308 GT THP 200, with the engine from the RCZ coupe
Peugeot has revealed its new hot hatch. The 308 GT THP 200 gets the cracking 197bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine from its svelte RCZ sibling. That immediately gives it an advantage of more than 40bhp over the previous top-rung 308. The French firm’s iconic GTI tag is conspicuous by its absence, with Peugeot (perhaps sensibly) marketing this car as warm rather than properly hot – it has Clio 200 horsepower in a car the size of a Megane. But that shouldn’t stop it being a cut-price VW Golf GTI alternative - the 308 GT boasts a practical five-door body, low CO2 emissions (159g/km equals £155 a year tax) and plenty of kit, while the engine and six-speed manual transmission from the RCZ should help provide a thoroughly pleasant drive. The 1.6 turbo provides 202lb ft of torque, with a 7.7sec 0-62mph time and a 140mph top speed. Sales start this month with a £21,995 price tag – £3K cheaper than a similarly equipped RCZ coupe and, more importantly, the same margin less than a five-door Golf GTI.
