Peugeot 308 GT spices up the French Focus fighter

Fri, 03 Oct 2014

In the face of hot five-door hatches like the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf R and Renault Megane GT 220 (to say nothing of the Renaultsport Megane), it's high time that French manufacturer Peugeot added some life to its C-segment entry, the 308.

This is the 308 GT, and while it won't pose a threat to hotter models like the Focus ST or Golf R, the availability of gas, diesel, five-door-hatch and station wagon varieties should prove appealing to a wider range of customers than the aforementioned challengers.

That gas mill is already pretty familiar to both American and European consumers, as it's been found in a number of Mini products (not to mention a wide array of vehicles from PSA). The 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder packs 202 horsepower in this particular Pug, while 210 pound-feet of torque are dispatched to the front wheels courtesy of a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. The turbodiesel offering, meanwhile, displaces 2.0 liters and returns 177 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

Take a look up top for our full batch of images of the newest member of the 308 family, and then head below to check out the official press release from the Pug's debut a few weeks back.

The PEUGEOT 308 GT, with two exclusive and dynamic engines for a powerful personality

The PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW have seen commercial success with 146 000 units ordered by the end of August. This positive result is due largely to their design, their perceived quality, their innovative i-Cockpit and their efficiency, with record fuel economy and low emissions. Following this excellent performance, the 308 range welcomes two dynamic new versions and on both Hatchback and SW body styles. They embody the Brand's continued move up-market strategy, highlighted by this year's 2014 Car of the Year award. Behind the wheel of these new versions, whether the GT 205 or GT 180 fitted with the 1.6-litre THP 205 Stop&Start 6-speed manual and the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 EAT6 engines respectively, drivers will appreciate the assertive styling and remarkable performance of these vehicles, as well as the exceptional driving experience and reduced level of fuel consumption. The 308 GT is sure to cause a stir among motoring enthusiasts.

The new PEUGEOT 308 has made a leap forward in technology and quality, confirmed by the prestigious 2014 Car of the Year award. Today the 308 range welcomes two new dynamic versions. The 308 GT, available in both diesel and petrol, delivers driving enjoyment that represents a clear advantage over the competition.
Maxime Picat, PEUGEOT Brand CEO

The PEUGEOT 308 presents an excellent combination of abilities. With the 308 GT project, we have succeeded in going even further. The GT 205 and GT 180 are resolutely dynamic and perfectly adapted to everyday motoring. This car performs remarkably.
Jean-Philippe Lamy, 308 GT project Director

Assertive sporty styling

The 308 GT's uniqueness is immediately apparent and attracts attention. The front end of this dynamic version now houses the lion in the grille with three horizontal blades on either side of the emblem and LED lighting used throughout. For optimum vision in all circumstances, the 308 GT has been fitted with top of the range headlights made up of elements containing 62 LEDs.

Exclusive direction indicators also distinguish the 308 GT. Their dynamic sequential operation, from the inside towards the outside, emphasise the technological identity of the car. They are placed above the new air scoops which supply the engine with additional air.

The 308 GT presents a great aerodynamic and stylistic purity. The black lacquered rear view mirrors merge with the tinted windows. Visibly widened by its sill finishers, the 308 GT sits on 18'' diamond wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres. Baptised 'Diamant', these dual-aspect wheels are exclusive to the 308 GT with their fluted spokes and engraved motif.

From behind, the 308 GT is striking for its posture, particularly due to the lacquered black diffuser and decorative twin tail pipes. The GT signature is integrated in the grill, the tailgate and the front wheel panels.

The range of colours for the 308 GT includes the new and exclusive Magnetic Blue. Evocative of the blue reserved historically for French competition vehicles, this colour suits the car's fluid and dynamic lines, emphasising its ride height, lowered by 7mm at the front and 10mm at the rear.

The 308 GT possesses all the strong points of the 308 range while adopting differentiating styling features. This car is for demanding and enthusiastic customers looking for exclusivity and dynamism.
Philippe Houy, PEUGEOT 308 Product Manager

An exclusive ambiance is also achieved within the cabin. Based on the fundamentals of a sports interior, both roof lining and upper window pillars are finished in anthracite colour along with red stitching punctuating the upholstery trim and TEP / Alcantara as standard or Club Nappa leather as an option. Red stitching is also found on the dashboard, door panels, gear lever gaiter and on the floor mats. The mechanical dimension is represented by aluminium on the pedals and stainless steel sill finishers in the door apertures.

Fundamental in a sporty car, the driving position is ideal due to the ergonomics of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit. The driver can adjust the height and reach of the compact steering wheel, unique with its perforated leather trim and GT badge. Within the field of vision, the instrument panel bears a new chequered flag motif background. On switching on the ignition, the driver is welcomed with a GT message and to complement this, the large touch screen displays a new colour scheme dominated by red and black, titled Redline.

Remarkable dynamic performance

To deliver maximum enjoyment, the GT makes the most of a chassis with specific settings and high performance engines that already meet stringent Euro 6 emissions standard. Engineers used all of the brand's expertise to achieve a remarkable power to weight ratio of just 5.85kg/hp (171hp per tonne) for the petrol 308 GT, a mark of driving sensations and control.

The performance figures speak for themselves. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h, takes the petrol 308 GT just 7,5 seconds.

The two engines, petrol and Diesel, can be used for all types of driving, smooth or sporty, with remarkable CO2 emissions: 103g/km for the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 and 130g/km for the 1.6-litre THP 205 Stop&Start.
Bernard Phulpin, Power Units Technical Manager

The four-cylinder 1.6-litre THP 205 Stop&Start engine is specified with a 6-speed manual gearbox to make the most of its 285Nm of torque, available between 1,750 and 4,500rpm. This high level of performance is combined with well controlled CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, from just 130g/km and 5.6 l/100km (50.4mpg).

To achieve these results, this 1,598 cc four-cylinder engine combines:
- a Twin-Scroll turbocharger, for performance and instant response from a very low engine speed;
- direct fuel injection assuring optimum combustion efficiency;
- variable valve lift on inlet, coupled with variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust (VTi technology, Variable valve and Timing injection);
- Stop&Start to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as improving general comfort in urban driving.

The 4-cylinder 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 offers a high level of performance. It delivers its maximum power of 180hp at 3750rpm and its maximum torque of 400Nm at 2000rpm. With a power to weight ratio of just 7.3 kg/hp (136 hp per tonne), this engine needs only 5.5 seconds to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h (50-70mph) in 5th gear.

With a capacity of 1,997cc, it presents remarkable CO2 emissions of just 103g, equal to fuel consumption of 4.0l/100km (70.6 mpg), due to:
- a 3rd generation common rail fuel system operating at up to 2,000 bars;

- a new combustion chamber optimising the mixture of air and fuel, delivered by 7-hole injectors;
- a compression ratio raised to 16.7:1 to improve the overall efficiency of the engine,
- engine oil of very low viscosity, type 0W15.

Furthermore, extensive work on detail has allowed a weight saving of 7kg. This was achieved by reducing the thickness of wall casings and the use of engine ancillaries only when required.

This diesel engine is coupled to an EAT6 automatic gearbox, designed and developed in collaboration with Aisin AW. It uses Quickshift technology for fast gear changes, as well as the ability to down-shift automatically to the speed required rather than in sequential order.

Furthermore, its efficiency is almost the same as for a manual gearbox due to reduced internal friction and the use of torque converters applied whenever needed to avoid transmission slip.

This results in CO2 emissions and fuel economy comparable to those achieved with the best manual gearboxes.

For the GT, we have fine-tuned all of the dynamic settings for perfect harmony between engines and road holding. At the wheel, the customer enjoys an expressive car that is also versatile and comfortable.
Nicolas Pincet, PEUGEOT 308 Dynamics Manager

The axles (pseudo MacPherson at the front, deformable beam at the rear) are given specific settings to suit the engines and the spirit of the car. The setup is sporty, with excellent body control, while still maintaining a high level of comfort.

To achieve this, engineers worked on all of the settings to provide precise control on the extremes of road conditions, providing secure driving and avoiding unwanted over or under steering. So the passive dampers, with new ratings for effort/speed regulate instantly to adapt to the type of driving. For reduced noise, they have a hydraulic bump stop. Depending on the version, the front and rear suspension is stiffened by 10 to 20% for a extremely responsive reaction, with no lag.

The variable electric power steering allows instinctive positioning of the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres with their high level of grip.

Performance of this level demands an effective braking system, easy to modulate and with excellent thermal resistance. This is provided by a Bosch 9CE central unit distributing the braking effort between the four discs. At the front, the 330mm diameter and 30mm thick discs are gripped by floating calipers with 60mm pistons. At the rear, the discs are 268mm diameter on 308 GT and 290mm on 308 GT SW.

Both engines types have switchable ESP as standard.

The GT range comprises:
- GT 205 with 1.6-litre THP 205 S&S engine and 6-speed manual gearbox : 130g CO2/km and 5.6 l/100km (50.4 mpg) for the Hatchback, 134g CO2/km and 5.8 l/100km (48.7 mpg) for the SW
- GT 180 with 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 engine and EAT6 automatic gearbox: 103g CO2/km and 4.0 l/100km (70.6 mpg) for the Hatchback, 107g CO2/km and 4.1 l/100km (68.9 mpg) for the SW

A heightened driving experience

At one with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, the driver is at the centre of the sensations delivered by the compact steering wheel and the head-up instrumentation. Pleasure is amplified by the Driver Sport Pack, standard with both engines. This equipment delights the senses of the sporty motoring enthusiast by modifying the following parameters:
- amplified and more sporty engine noise;
- instruments illuminated with red display;
- instrument panel displays the power and torque delivered, turbo pressure, longitudinal and transverse acceleration;
- firmer and more responsive power steering;
- more responsive accelerator pedal mapping;
- more responsive operation of the EAT6 gearbox;
- steering mounted paddles with the EAT6.

The driver can choose to turn off the Driver Sport Pack setting for a more comfort-orientated drive, using a button on the centre console.

To make the most of its character, the new GT offers various driving assistance systems.

Using radar built into the front of the vehicle, the Driver Assistance Pack includes three systems:
- Dynamic Cruise Control: a cruise control that automatically maintains and adjusts the speed of the vehicle to match the speed of the vehicle ahead. This 'Dynamic' function can be switched off by the driver.
- Emergency Collision Alert System: a visual and audible indication to encourage the driver to brake to avoid a collision.
- Emergency Collision Braking System: early application of the brakes to avoid a collision or reduce its consequences.

With the Blind Spot Monitoring System, LEDs in the rear view door mirrors come on to warn the driver that there is a vehicle in the blind spot.

Park Assist is an active parking aid allowing automatic parallel or bay parking.

The PEUGEOT Connect Apps connected services provide a new driving experience. Using a 3G Plug&Play key, this system makes useful information available to the driver in real time: availability of parking spaces, fuel prices, tourist information with the Michelin Guide, weather, as well as traffic conditions with the Coyote application.

For security, it is fitted with an alarm including tilt protection.

The 308 GT retains all of the qualities of the 308, yet it does even better; it magnifies them through its high level engines and chassis. This customer base demands the best quality. 308 GT offers this as well as the optimum compromise between performance and comfort.
Sébastien Bernard, PEUGEOT 308 Customer Survey

By Brandon Turkus