What is it?
Peugeot has re-entered the hot hatchback ranks with a sporty version of its 308. Power comes from a turbocharged 250hp 1.6-litre petrol engine, and the GTi gets stunning 18-inch alloys, large twin exhausts and a fairly subtle bodykit to mark it out against more regular models.
Why is it interesting?
This Peugeot range-topper adds a little glamour to the excellent 308 range, and isn’t prohibitively costly to run. It suffers from the same functionality issue as the rest of the range in terms of the touchscreen system trying to control too much at the expense of any buttons, but the GTi treads the line between being sporty to drive and not being uncomfortable on longer trips well.
How are the running costs?
The 308 GTi is priced directly at its Ford Focus ST and Skoda Octavia vRS rivals, with £270 covering the trio, and emissions of 139g/km are good considering the 6.2-secs 0-62mph performance.
The issue of RVs remains, with the 28.5% figure being behind all rivals, so the CPM ends up just behind Ford and Skoda.
Any other business?
There is also a 270hp version that costs another £1600, and unlike rivals, the GTi is only available as a five-door hatch rather than as an estate as well.
