Peugeot puts the Sport into 308 GTi
BY RON HAMMERTON | 20th Feb 2019
PEUGEOT is offering 20 of its Australian customers a spruced up version of its sporty 308 GTi hatch for $42,990 plus on-road costs – well under the GTi’s standard list price of $45,990.
Called GTi Sport, the limited-run 308 gets a five-piece bodykit that includes a front lip spoiler and rear spoiler, side skirt extensions, rear bumper corner extensions and a rear diffuser.
The company will even throw in a $200 driver training course, provided you can get to Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney where Driving Dynamics currently operates (Brisbane and Perth are said to be coming soon for those who care to wait).
Peugeot Automobiles Australia conservatively estimates the overall package to represent a $3500 saving for buyers.
The deal effectively is the second price drop for the 308 GTi in a matter of months, with the retail price coming down from $49,990 to $45,990 in November, and now $42,990 for the GTi Sport.
The GTi Sport’s powertrain remains untouched, with a turbo 1.6-litre petrol engine belting out 200kW of power and 330Nm of torque via a six-speed manual gearbox and Torsen limited-slip differential to the front wheels. Auto is not available.
The features list also remains unadulterated, retaining niceties such as Peugeot Sport front seats with massage function, 19-inch alloy wheels, 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen with 3D sat-nav and voice recognition, city park assist and lane-keep assist.
Most of the 20 GTi Sports destined for Australia will be black, but a small number of blue and grey vehicles are available for those who get in quick.
Peugeot 308 sales have struggled in recent times, dipping 61.7 per cent in 2018, from 1031 in 2017 units to 395 last year. Once the company’s top-seller in Australia, it now trails its SUV sibling, the 3008, and bigger 5008.
