UK gets Peugeot 308 GT

When the Peugeot 308 GTi was first announced back in May, we were left wondering whether the car would make it to the UK.

Well now it’s here, except it’ll be known as the Peugeot 308 GT THP 200 in this country. Maybe Peugeot felt that leaving an ‘i’ tacked on after the ‘GT’ might build up the expectations of UK buyers, who would just draw comparisons with GTi models of old?

And Peugeot isn’t exactly focussing on the 308 GT’s sporty nature, preferring to talk about ‘good levels of performance’, ‘high levels of comfort and convenience’ and being ‘enjoyable for day-to-day driving [and] equally at home transporting the family’. Stirring stuff.

That said, it’s no slouch. Powered by a 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo engine producing 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS), 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes 7.7 seconds, while its top speed is 140 mph (225 km/h). Yet despite that level of performance, the combined cycle fuel consumption is a very respectable 40.8 mpg (6.9 l/100km) and CO2 emissions are a reasonable 159 g/km.

Distinguishing the GT from lesser 308s are 18” alloy wheels clad with 225/40 R18 tyres, a meaner looking front bumper, a black diffuser, a rear spoiler and twin chrome exhaust pipes. Ride height is reduced by 10 mm to help improve road holding.

Interior equipment levels look generous, and include sports seats with half-leather upholstery, climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity and rear parking assistance. As an extra incentive, anyone who takes delivery of their 308 GT during July also gets a free Nokia 5230 phone that features inbuilt satellite navigation.

Available only as a five-door hatch, the 308 GT is priced at £21,995.

Funnily enough, that’s virtually the same as the Renault Mégane GT, which costs only £85 less. However, the Peugeot beats its compatriot on economy (37.2 mpg / 7.5 l/100km), emissions (178 g/km) and power output (177 bhp / 132 kW / 180 PS), although the Renault’s performance ends up being similar (0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds and a 140 mph / 225 km/h top speed).

But what if neither of the French cars appeal? Other competitors include the £21,005 Vauxhall Astra SRi, which has a 1.6 litre turbo engine and the same power as the Renault Mégane GT. Economy is marginally better than the 308 GT at 41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km) and emissions are the same, although the slight power deficit makes it just a little slower (0-62 mph takes 7.9 seconds, and its top speed is 138 mph / 222 km/h).

Then there’s the new 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS) Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB MultiAir Veloce. Priced at £20,795, it’s down on horsepower versus the Peugeot, but it still manages to do 0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds before going onto 135 mph (217 km/h). The Giulietta is arguably one of the best looking models in this market segment, but its real trump cards are economy and emissions: its 48.7 mpg (5.8 l/100km) and 134 g/km trounce the 308 GT.

If saving the environment isn’t a top priority, but performance and low cost is, then the Skoda Octavia vRS has to be a strong contender. Its two litre FSI petrol engine has as much power as the Peugeot, however it manages to be much quicker. It’ll hit 150 mph (242 km/h) and accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.2 seconds, although the consequence is a relatively poor 37.7 mpg (7.4 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 175 g/km. The Octavia is also a bargain at £19,380, despite lacking some standard equipment compared to the 308 GT.