Styling inside and out gets an ‘A+’; terrific turbo-diesel; nice drive
Hard core boy racers would like firmer suspension settings
Audi’s Le Mans victories confirmed it. The terms ‘diesel’ and ‘sporty’ are not mutually incompatible.
These days the fact is you can walk down any street in Paris, Monaco, Positano or even London and you’ll see turbo-diesel powered hatchbacks which are ‘warm’ rather that ‘hot’. Fortunately the smart folk at Peugeot Cars Australia are plugged into the latest European trends and so we have the Peugeot 308 GT – a sports/luxury variant as opposed to a full-blown GTI road racer.
Peugeot 308 GT Overview
Unlike some so-called Australian awards (in reality the after-hours work of some blokes with laptops whose day jobs have nothing to do with cars), the European Car Of The Year Award is handed down by legitimate motoring journalists who spend the whole year testing cars. And the reigning European Car Of The Year is the Peugeot 308.
Get the picture? This French five-door hatchback has out-golfed the Golf and out-focused the Focus because it is good…very, very good.
Locally the 308 range starts at $21,990 but a later addition to the lineup has been the GT model range-topper. Peugeot offers the 308 GT with the 1.6-litre petrol engine priced at $41,990 or, as tested by www.carshowroom.com.au, with the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel which will set you back $42,990.
That buys a lot car – the Peugeot 308 GT is equipped with gorgeous leather seats, a leather-wrapped sports version of the tiny race car steering wheel, a unique sports suspension tune and a stack of convenience features and technology. You bring your own beret, cheese and chilled Moet.
Peugeot 308 GT Engine
Definitely a standout in our Peugeot 308 GT test car was the ‘2.0-litre BlueHDi 180’ turbo-diesel engine. Re-done for this model, the engine in the 308 GT is actually some 7.0kgs lighter than its last appearance.
Maximum power is 133kW at 3750rpm and impressive peak torque of 400Nm arrives from only 2000rpm.
Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission developed in conjunction with Aisin AW and including steering wheel paddle-shifters.
All of that adds-up to an impressively rapid zero to 100km/h time of 5.5 seconds. Combined-cycle fuel consumption scores 4.0l/100kms.
Peugeot 308 GT The Interior
The European Car Of the Year Award judges were very complimentary about the Peugeot 308’s interior. And with good reason as Peugeot has cleverly adopted a compact steering wheel design which is certainly sporty and space-efficient thus begging the question: why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?
The smaller steering wheel in-turn allowed Peugeot’s designers to ‘free-wheel’ just a bit on the dashboard design and layout. We like the layering and simplicity (GT scores red illumination for the instrument display, extra readouts for power/torque, turbocharger boost and acceleration both longitudinal and transverse, colour LCD screen, satellite navigation and colour head-up display).
As well, the GT adds alloy sports pedals and some chrome/brushed aluminium trim highlights.
We love the front seats (good looks and supportive) and the GT is boosted by electric lumbar support and massaging function.
Rear seat occupants should have no complaints. And cargo space measures 820-litres with the rear seat folded or 435-litres when in-use.
Peugeot 308 GT Exterior & Styling
Likewise the European Car Of The Year award judges gave the ‘thumbs-up’ to the exterior looks of the Peugeot 308. Obvious really – Peugeot’s stylists have created a modern, stylish look which is at once obviously different from rival European designs.
We like the powerful front-end with chrome grille bars, fog-lights and LED headlights with integrated DRLs for the GT variant.
The side view is no less impressive thanks to Peugeot’s distinctive large rear doors and prominent side sculpturing. GT models look the part with a lower ride height, 18-inch ‘Diamont’ alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.
And the rear sees a unique look for the Peugeot 308 with a very smart design for the tail-lights sure to be a talking point with your mates. GT models add a rear diffuser and dual chrome exhaust tips.
Peugeot 308 GT On The Road
We paused the Peugeot 308 GT at the top of our mountain roads test loop, switched-off the radio, selected ‘Sport’ mode and floored the gas pedal. A few minutes later, at least in our mind, we were rocketing down to the Arnage corner at Le Mans downshifting to the tune of a turbo-diesel getting ready to unleash its torque on corner exit.
No, we’re stretching things a little there - but make no mistake, the Peugeot 308’s exhaust note in ‘Sport’ confirms this isn’t the entry-level 308 ‘Access’ 1.2-litre three-cylinder. The temptation is to leave the 308 GT in ‘sport’ mode all the time – not just for the sharper throttle mapping but mostly to enjoy the noise!
The GT isn’t a GTI so it’s not as edgy/firm but nevertheless the trip through the twisty stuff was enjoyable with nice turn-in and balance – aided by GT model specific suspension calibration (spring rates stiffer by up to 20 per-cent) and those 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres. And while the diesel version of the Peugeot 308 GT does tip the scales some 120kgs heavier than the petrol, honestly - with 115Nm extra under the hood - you don’t notice the extra heft.
On the down side, the paddle shifters for the transmission were on the slow side swapping cogs. You do get used to it.
Not surprisingly, around town the Peugeot 308 GT was in its element – easy to maneuver and park (tiny 10.4-metre turning circle), punchy acceleration from the turbo-diesel for freeway merging and impressive refinement to muffle the outside racket.
Peugeot 308 GT Issues
Gear changes when using the steering wheel paddle shifters were a bit slow.
Peugeot 308 GT Verdict
Peugeot is onto a winner here. Frankly we weren’t surprised – the regular 308 ranks as one of the best European hatchbacks so the range-topping sports/luxury model was always going to be terrific.
And good-on Peugeot for bringing the 308 GT ‘Downunder’ with turbo-diesel power. Every trip to Europe we see further examples of sporty turbo-diesels from the big brands – a hot hatch which saves you dollars at the fuel pump gets out vote.
Of course it’s the abundant torque which headlines the Peugeot 308 GT’s sporty prowess but the clever chassis is also integral. The brilliant exhaust growl when pressing on in ‘Sport’ mode underlines what the 308 GT is all about.
Add-in the subtle exterior changes, those smart-looking alloy wheels and top-notch interior and the sum is a very enticing package.
Peugeot 308 GT The Competition
Despite their popularity in Europe, turbo-diesel hot hatches in this price range don’t rack-up big numbers in Australia. We’re a bit behind the global trend actually…or Peugeot is ahead of the game!
For example Skoda offers the Octavia RS with a turbo-diesel but Volkswagen don't offer the Golf GTI with a diesel engine.
Renault has the Megane GT-Line Premium model with the 81kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-diesel priced at $33,490. This is good value and every Megane variant is terrific. The GT-Line isn’t quite in the 308 GT league for luxo specs.
Audi has the excellent A3 Sportback 2.0TDI Ambition 2.0-litre turbo-diesel stickered at $42,800 but you’d need to raid the options list for some ‘S’ goodies to get to the sporty level of the Peugeot 308 GT.
