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Motoring

        Peugeot 308 GTi – back on form


                                                               and supportive with red stitching   underwhelming, but that’s the
                                                               coupled with a smart leather   trend these days.
                                                               effect and Alcantara finish.   This is a car that you want to
                                                               The front seats have lumbar   drive. It is a useful hatchback
                                                               adjustment. The front passenger   with a decent sized and well
                                                               is well catered for with plenty   shaped boot and parking aids
                                                               of legroom, some of which can   but give it the beans and it can
                                                               be absorbed to give the rear   really shift. The 1.6L turbo motor
                                                               near-side passenger some knee   is flexible making the car lively,
                                                               room. It’s less ideal on the other   responsive and properly quick
                                                               side when the driver is tall. It’s   backed up by a sorted chassis and
                                                               a bit cramped for a full sized   dependable brakes. There’s tons of
                                                               adult. Fit and finish is excellent   grip from the fitted Michelins and
         Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the Peugeot 308 GTi   and there’s the option of a full   minimal body roll thanks to the
         for a spin                                            Cielo glass roof. I should also   stiffer suspension which, on our
                                                               mention that Peugeot’s Connect   test car, managed the clever trick
        Sometimes I wonder if the pleasure   roads.            SOS & Assistance and Open & Go   of being both comfortable and
        hasn’t gone out of driving and then   The 308 GTi comes in regular paint  features are available as worthy   drivable at the same time. Sport
        a car comes along that renews my   but also in a two-tone whereby   options.     mode adds throttle response and
        faith. The Peugeot Sport department  the back quarter is painted a   The Peugeot 308 GTi is a good   changes the dials to dramatic red.
        have spooned into their new   contrasting colour to the rest of the  looking yet discreet car - even   The Peugeot 308GTi is the real
        range-topping 308GTi hatchback a   car. It’s called Coupe Franche and   when photographed on an   deal. It’s a safe (5*) family hatch
        generous dollop of good ol’ fun.  you either like it or not.   appalling day - hiding its sporting  when needed until you unleash
          It comes in two flavours; 250hp   I absolutely love the minimalist   credentials behind the guise of   the beast within when you’re
        (246bhp) and 270hp (266bhp)   dashboard. Less is more. Virtually   a regular family hatchback. The   on your own and when the road
        versions. I was concerned that the   all the controls are managed by the  only giveaway is the modest   opens its arms to welcome you.
        lesser THP250 would seem under-  well-sized touchscreen and crucially  body kit, the chunky wheels, the   The hot Pug is back where it
        nourished. I need not have worried.   it is really well thought through.   badges and the traditional hot   belongs, at the front of the pack. I
        Sure, the THP270 gets bigger wheels  There’s a selection of apps on   Peugeot red line on the face.   had a great time with the car and
        and a Torsen differential but I’m   offer too which are all easy to use,   There is nothing that really makes  it is definitely in my top three for
        not sure how much real world   including navigation.   it stand out as a Golf GTi rival,   the year.
        difference it would make on our   The sports seats are comfortable   which it is; even the spoiler is   Well done Peugeot.


















































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