Test Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 THP 205 CV, logic prelude to the GTI

Sometimes we have to choose between sporty and versatile. And when we choose and lean towards the sportier side, we have to choose between practical and radical. Fortunately, nowadays sporty doesn't have to be at odds with radical and, often, irrational. This is the case with the Peugeot 308 GT that we're testing this week, a sporty model without all the drawbacks that entails. We're looking at the 1.6 THP petrol variant with 205 horsepower.

We already tested it at its launch in Segovia and it convinced us if what we were looking for was a dynamic feel and good performance without sacrificing everyday usability. The 308 GT is to Peugeot what the Golf GTI is to Volkswagen , only a bit more restrained in terms of performance, power, and image. And in price too. Is that enough?

Fair

In pictures, the Peugeot 308 GT might seem a bit bland and understated. After all, most buyers want their car to stand out from the more mundane models. However, in person, the 308 GT has something special, something that takes the form of sporty and exclusive details here and there that truly make it worthy of its GT name.

The front bumper is identical to the rest in its basic shape, but it features new gloss black trim and an exclusive element: sequential turn signals . This means the LEDs illuminate outwards. LEDs are also used for the main and daytime running lights, all integrated into headlight clusters that frame a unique grille which now incorporates the brand's logo, instead of placing it on the hood.

The sides feature new side skirts, which are nothing more than very well-executed additions, and exclusive 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels . It's at the rear where its most aggressive look is hidden, although let me tell you, the differences compared to a standard 308 are limited to one. Yes, the exhaust pipes that appear in the glossy black plastic trim are the new feature. But be warned, they are merely decorative and have nothing to do with the actual exhaust system . That said, the cleverly executed trick is a detail that goes unnoticed.

In general, and despite the subtle details that differentiate it from a standard 308, this GT feels sporty, or at least sporty enough to satisfy the typical customer looking for an understated sports car. The lowered suspension further enhances the feeling of a wide, low-slung car. Families will also have the option of the SW estate version , also in this trim but with more interior space. Both engine options are available.

Comfort

It's not the first time a French car has dedicated itself to offering maximum comfort to its occupants. This one is no exception, despite its sporty undertones. The interior barely differs from a conventional 308 , except for distinctive details focused on appearance and finish. These include, for example, the GT logos scattered throughout, the black headliner, and the red stitching that contrasts with the dark upholstery.

The rest is similar to any other Peugeot 308, but that doesn't make it unpleasant. The control layout is identical, with a minimalist design that focuses the functions on the touchscreen. It takes some getting used to, but it wouldn't hurt to keep some physical controls, like those for the climate control. The standard multimedia system with navigation works remarkably well, and the screen responds quickly to commands. Connecting your mobile phone to the car's system is also easy.

In front of us sits a very small steering wheel , as is now typical for Peugeot, a welcome feature in a sporty model. The instrument cluster is easy to read, but you have to get used to the reverse movement of the rev counter. Otherwise, it comes standard with the Driver Sport Pack , activated by a button, which modifies some of the car's parameters, such as the steering and throttle response. In terms of quality, it shares the same standards as the rest of the 308 range, with top-notch finishes in its segment.

The interior space is remarkable in the front seats, but also in the rear, with ample headroom and legroom. Rear width isn't exceptional, as is typical, but three smaller adults could comfortably travel in them. The front seats are sporty , supportive, and appear to have integrated headrests. Finally, the trunk offers a capacity of 432 liters.

Previous step to the GTI

Until the arrival of the 308 GTI, the Peugeot 308 GT was the sportiest model in the range. And it has never made more sense than now. It's a stepping stone to the sportiest offering, to what Peugeot Sport has once again dubbed the most radical compact car the brand has ever produced. As you can see, practicality is one of the GT's strongest points.

As we saw at its launch, it's an agile car, but without being flashy —a configuration that allows for more fun with the car while still providing complete comfort for everyday journeys. Even longer trips. Throughout the week of testing, it proved to be a comfortable car in every respect. In terms of sportiness, it's decidedly more refined.

But that's the philosophy behind this model. The suspension surprised me with its tuning, capable of moving the car with agility and elegance when we decide to drive fast. The steering helps, in my opinion, thanks to that tiny steering wheel that enhances the feeling of precision. Sport mode stiffens it and provides excellent feel , although more feedback to the driver's hands wouldn't hurt—something that applies to practically all current models.

Once we're driving fast through winding sections, we realize it's a remarkably neutral car and doesn't feel heavy. In fact, it weighs just under 1.300 kilos, a very good figure. The suspension, once again, effectively eliminates much of the body roll, a factor further mitigated by the supportive seats. The ride isn't harsh, neither on rough surfaces nor over speed bumps , although the road's undulations are noticeable, as expected.

The engine is a familiar one from PSA, a turbocharged 1.6 THP four-cylinder unit producing 205 horsepower and 285 Nm of torque . It stands out for two things: its flexibility and its fuel economy. It's incredibly flexible, which is both a positive and a negative. Negative because it's not a high-revving engine , one that demands constant gear changes. Positive precisely because it eliminates the need to shift gears. The gearbox, by the way, is a six-speed unit with long ratios and a pleasant feel, though not particularly sporty due to the long throws of the lever.

From just over 1.500 rpm, we have a lively and capable engine at our disposal, maintaining its power until just before the redline. This is a point of criticism, by the way, when Sport mode is activated. The instrument cluster displays the numbers in red, effectively eliminating the redline on the tachometer, temperature gauge, and fuel gauge. That said, the car's response in second gear to the driver's commands is surprising, without any significant loss of traction. In other words, thanks to its linearity, power, and gear ratios, we can confidently tackle a series of curves in third gear.

Fuel consumption is another highlight. Although Peugeot advertises a homologated consumption of 5,6 l/100 km for this 308 GT, in reality we achieved an average of 6,2 l/100 km over a journey of just under 600 kilometers, with normal driving and occasional spirited driving. In the city, it's difficult to get below 8 l/100 km, while on the highway, 5-5,5 l/100 km is typical. It features a Stop/Start system that works satisfactorily, although not as decisively as in the group's diesel models.

Truly sporty?

Peugeot is selling us a 308 GT with a sporty image. They're selling us a youthful car with an aggressive look and agile handling, but is it truly sporty? Not entirely. The reality is that it feels more like a fast car than a sporty one , although it certainly has the qualities to have a good time behind the wheel. However, some details detract from the overall experience in this regard.

I'm referring, for example, to the sound. It's nonexistent. Between the fake exhaust and this silence, it's sometimes hard to understand why we're driving a car with a suspension stiffer than a standard 308 or steering with such a light feel. It doesn't matter if we're in the upper rev range; the isolation is absolute, and they haven't even bothered to refine the engine's purr.

No, the Driver Sport Pack doesn't solve the problem . The stiffer steering is excellent, as is the more responsive throttle and the new driving metrics. But the enhanced, amplified sound — if it were an option, I wouldn't pay a cent for it . We go from silence to a muffled and very artificial sound. It almost sounds like a three-cylinder engine. In fact, during the presentation itself, I realized that this amplification almost sounds better in the diesel 308 GT than in this petrol version.

Conclusions

Despite that last paragraph, and even though I personally place great importance on sound in a sporty car, I find the car as a whole to be an excellent option . It manages to be discreet for those looking for nothing more than performance, low fuel consumption, and lively handling.

It's not a radical car, nor is that how Peugeot markets it, given they already offer their latest GTI. Although I would have liked a touch more character . The engine's feel is exquisite, but a slightly shorter and more responsive gear ratio wouldn't have gone amiss. Of course, fuel consumption is paramount, and this certainly helps in achieving such a good figure. The sound, without a doubt, is one of its biggest drawbacks.

On the other hand, the suspension tuning is flawless, as is the steering, so Peugeot has laid a solid foundation for its sportiest model, the GTI. Interestingly, Peugeot offers two body styles for the GT, just as it does with a 180-horsepower HDI diesel engine . Theoretically, the gasoline version is almost a second faster in acceleration, but fuel consumption is a world apart, with the BlueHDI achieving just 4 liters per 100 km. However, it is only available with an automatic transmission.

The fact is that one of its closest rivals is the Volkswagen Golf GTI, a compact car with similar aspirations: to be a stepping stone to the larger model in the range. Comparing them, the Peugeot is on par in terms of interior and agility, but stands out in power and performance. However, the price difference is close to €6.000 in favor of the French car.

Equipment Peugeot 308 GT

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Fog lights
• Full-LED headlights
• Speed ​​limiter and cruise control
• Keyless entry and start
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Light and rain sensors
• electric parking brake
• 9,7-inch touchscreen navigator
• 18-inch wheels

Peugeot 308GT prices

Editor's opinion

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