2016 Peugeot 308 GTi pricing and specifications: $44,990 hot hatch on the way

The new 2016 Peugeot 308 GTi will Australia in the coming months with a $44,990 starting point, plus on-road costs, the French carmaker has confirmed today.

Available for pre-order in December, ahead of a first-quarter launch, the range will open with the 308 GTi 250, while the more powerful 308 GTi 270 will slot in just below $50k with a $49,990 list price.

That positions the hot hatch inside the anticipated price range reported in October (see CarAdvice’s 308 GTi review), giving the 308 GTi a small amount of breathing space above the $41,990 GT model already available in Australia.

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Rivals in the 308 GTi’s price bracket vary, with fellow Europeans like the Golf GTI ($40,990), GTI Performance ($46,490), Golf R ($52,740) and Megane RS275 Cup Premium ($52,990) all standing out as clear contenders for the attention of buyers in that segment.

The Ford Focus ST, at $38,990, is also a keen option, and its more powerful all-wheel drive brother the Focus RS will debut next year with an equally compelling $50,990 price tag. The aging but still thrilling $39,990 Astra VXR stands out, too.

“We are very excited about the return of the GTi badge to the hot hatch segment and believe it will resonate with Australians and their appetite for sports and performance product, offering fun, efficient, enjoyable, comfortable and thoroughly engaging drive experience,” Peugeot Australia managing director Dimitri Andreatidis said today.

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Revealed in June, the 308 GTi is available in two grades: the 250 and the 270, each bringing different outputs and different mechanical setups to the party.

Both are powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine â€" the same unit that drives the RCZ R coupe â€" with the 250 offering 184kW (250hp) of power at 6000rpm and the 270 dialling that up to an even 200kW (270hp) at the same point on the dial.

Torque in both models is listed at 330Nm from 1900rpm-5000rpm, and both are driven at the front wheels with a six-speed manual transmission exclusively.

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The 308 GTi 270 is set apart from its sibling by the addition of a Torsen limited-slip differential, along with larger 380/268mm brake discs, 38mm/41mm four-piston callipers, 19-inch ‘Carbone’ wheels and 235/35 Michelin Super Sport.

The 250 gets 18-inch ‘Diamant’ wheels and 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 rubber.

The two variants share a 1205kg kerb weight, bettering the Golf by more than 100kg for a segment-best power-to-weight ratio.

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Other features shared by both include an 11mm lower suspension setup, a torsion-beam rear axle, 21mm semi-hollow anti-roll bar, aluminium wishbones, increased negative camber, stiffer rear wishbone, springs, shocks and bushings, and a wider track measuring 1570mm at the front and 1554mm at the rear.

The 308 GTi 250 claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds, while the 270 promises a 6.0-second run.

In the cabin, the GTi models feature a liberal application of red stitching highlights, along with GTi and Peugeot Sport door sill graphics.

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The 270 builds on that package with Peugeot Sport bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara, again with red stitching.

The 308 GTi is available in Ultimate Red, Pearlescent White, Magnetic Blue, Nera Black and Cumulus Grey, along with the standard non-metallic Hurricane Grey.

Another option, the two-tone ‘Coupe Franche’ Ultimate Red and Nera Black combination shown here, is available exclusively with the GTi 270.

2016 Peugeot 308 GTi pricing (plus on-road costs):

308 GTi 250 â€" $44,990
308 GTi 270 â€" $49,990

MORE: 308 GTi revealed | 308 GTi DRIVEN
MORE: Peugeot 308 news, reviews, pricing and specs


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