PEUGEOT has been out of the Volkswagen Golf GTI class for 15 years, an unacceptably long time for a company that helped define the genre with stirring ‘90s hotshots like the 306 GTi-6.

Back from 1997 until the latter died in 2001, the French brand trumped its German rival with sophisticated style, speed, refinement, and sheer tactility.

So does the new 308 GTi have the goods to do the same in 2016 (hint: yes).

But it does come at a price. And no auto means few will truly get a chance to appreciate the ground that Peugeot has made up.

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