Award-winning PEUGEOT 308 introduces performance GT models, beautiful cars.

• Award-winning PEUGEOT 308 introduces performance GT models
• Diesel powered Hatchback and SW body styles, and petrol Hatchback
• All feature lower ride height, unique design and high specification
• Key 308 features ensure GT is even more engaging and exhilarating to drive

The showroom success enjoyed by the award-winning PEUGEOT 308 looks set to reach even greater heights with the arrival of a new dynamic flagship – the stunning 308 GT.

Available in Hatchback and SW body styles, both models offer assertive new styling, outstanding performance-oriented engines and bespoke chassis modifications to create a lower ride height. The result is an exceptional on-the-road experience that will delight the most enthusiastic drivers. The enhancements clearly embody PEUGEOT’s continued move up-market, highlighted by the 308’s recognition as the 2014 European Car of the Year.

The new PEUGEOT 308 GT retains all the elements which have made the 308 range such a huge commercial hit throughout Europe. This includes the striking exterior design, innovative PEUGEOT i-Cockpit cabin, versatile interior and high perceived quality. Remarkable engine efficiency, with high fuel economy and ultra-low emissions, is also part of the 308 GT package.

Assertive sporty styling

The 308 GT’s unique design quality is immediately obvious. The iconic PEUGEOT Lion emblem has moved from the bonnet’s leading edge to the front grille, with three horizontal blades on either side. For optimum vision in all circumstances, the 308 GT has been fitted with top-of-the-range headlights made up of 62 LEDs.

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

The 308 GT presents a great aerodynamic and stylistic purity, most notable where the black lacquered door mirrors merge with the tinted windows. Visibly widened by its side sill finishers, the 308 GT sits on 18-inch ‘Diamant’ wheels, shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres. Their fluted spokes and engraved motif are also available on 308 GT-Line models.

At the rear, the 308 GT offers a striking and distinctive posture, due in part to the lacquered black diffuser and stylish twin exhaust pipes. The GT signature is integrated into the tailgate, as well as the front grille and front wings.

The range of colours for the 308 GT includes the new and exclusive ‘Magnetic Blue’. Evocative of the blue historically reserved for French competition vehicles, this bold shade suits the car’s fluid and dynamic lines, while emphasising its lowered ride height.

An exclusive new ambiance is also achieved in the car’s cabin, with both the roof lining and upper window pillars finished in anthracite. Red stitching adds a performance air to the upholstery trim and is also found on the dashboard, door panels, gear lever gaiter and floor mats.Aluminiumdetailing on the pedals, coupled with stainless steel sill finishers in the door apertures, add the finishing touch.

Vital in any sports-oriented car is the correct driving position. It’s already ideal in this new model because of the ergonomics of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, as seen in every 308. The driver can adjust the height and reach of the compact steering wheel, which is unique to this car due to its perforated leather trim and GT badge. The instrument panel bears a newchequeredflag motif background and switching on the ignition produces a GT welcome message. To complement this, the large touchscreen displays a new colour scheme dominated by red and black, titled ‘Redline’.

Remarkable dynamic performance

To deliver maximum enjoyment, the 308 GT features enhanced new chassis settings. Ride height has been lowered by 7mm at the front and 10mm at the rear for a more dynamic drive. The revised suspension is mated to a choice of high-performance engines, one petrol and one diesel, that both meet stringent Euro 6 emissions standards.

The four-cylinder 1.6-litre THP 205Stop&Startpetrol engine is specified with a six-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 50.4mpg. Engineers used all of the Brand’s expertise to achieve a remarkable power-to-weight ratio of just 5.85kg/hp (171hp per tonne) on this model.

To achieve these results, the 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 four-cylinder 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 diesel engine also offers a high level of performance. It delivers its maximum power of 180hp at 3,750rpm and its maximum torque of 400Nm at 2,000rpm. Highlighting PEUGEOT’s attention to engineering detail, reducing the thickness of wall casings and the use of engine ancillaries only when required has led to a 7kg weight saving. 

With a power-to-weight ratio of just 7.3 kg/hp (136hp per tonne), this engine needs only 5.5 seconds to accelerate from 50-70mph in 5th gear. With a capacity of 1,997cc, it presents remarkable CO₂ emissions of just 103g/km, with official fuel consumption of 70.6mpg.

To achieve these results, the engine combines:

• a 3^rd 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 seven-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

This diesel engine is coupled to an EAT6 (Efficient Automatic Transmission) six-speed automatic gearbox, designed and developed in collaboration with Aisin AW. 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 impressively results in CO₂ emissions and fuel economy comparable to those achieved with the best manual gearboxes.

The 308 GT’s suspension set-up (pseudo MacPherson at the front, deformable beam at the rear) has been given specific settings to suit the engines and the spirit of the car. The focus is on a performance-oriented and dynamic drive 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-steer. For example, 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 an 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 engine types have switchable ESP as standard.

A heightened driving experience

At one with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, the 308 GT driver is at the heart of the driving experience due to the 308 range’s standard-fit compact steering wheel and head-up instrumentation. Pleasure is further enhanced by the Driver Sport Pack, standard on every 308 GT. This includes:

• amplified and more sporty engine noise
• instruments illuminated with red display
• instrument panel that 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, with steering wheel-mounted control paddles

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

To make the most of its character, the new GT offers various driving aids. Using radar built into the front of the vehicle, the Driver Assistance Pack includes three systems:

• Dynamic Cruise Control: 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 door mirrors illuminate 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 308 GT range comprises:

308 GT - Hatchback	Combined Econ	CO2	Ins Gp	Max Speed	0-62mph
1.6L THP 205 S&S	50.4mpg	130g/km	19	146mph	7.5secs
2.0L BlueHDi EAT6 180 S&S	70.6mpg	103g/km	16	136mph	8.4secs
308 GT - SW
2.0L BlueHDi EAT6 180 S&S	68.8mpg	107g/km	17	135mph	8.6secs

All 308 GT cars have a 6-speed transmission. The ‘EAT6’ is an abbreviation for ‘Efficient Automatic Transmission’ 6-speed.

The PEUGEOT 308 GT is now available to order with deliveries commencing from March 2015.

One year on, The Peugeot 308 continues to ooze quality and desirability.

• 2014 has seen the PEUGEOT 308 earn numerous awards, including industry’s top prize - COTY
• Game-changing compact family car is now available with SW body style and class-leading engines
• 308 GT model, due in showrooms in January has enhanced performance and desirability

Exactly 12 months ago, PEUGEOT Dealers were buzzing with excitement at the arrival of the all-new 308. It had already been shortlisted for the prestigious Car of the Year (COTY) award, was stunning to look at, oozed desirability and was officially on sale from 2^nd January 2014.

Fast-forward to today and what a year 2014 has been for PEUGEOT’s new compact family hatchback. Not only did it take the much-coveted COTY trophy, but numerous other awards followed, and the critically acclaimed SW estate is now also in showrooms offering extra practicality.

A year after the arrival of the PEUGEOT 308 sees the next chapter in the developing success story of this impressive car. In January 2015 the range is further enhanced with the GT and GT Line derivatives - the eagerly anticipated performance-oriented flagship models.

It’s in PEUGEOT showrooms across the UK where the most important measure of the 308’s success can be found, with 15,000 cars sold already and a total of 220,000 in other mainly European markets. In 2015 the award-winning 308 goes on sale in China – the world’s largest car market.

Morgan Lecoupeur, Marketing Director at PEUGEOT UK, commented: “It’s been a triumphant year for the PEUGEOT 308, richly deserved by everyone who has been involved. That includes the creative team, the engineers who developed the car and our retailers who share its virtues with our customers.”

The PEUGEOT 308 is built on the innovative Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2), which incorporates a staggering 116 patented technologies. Engineered to make the car lower and wider than before, the hatchback design allows for 420 litres of boot space – the largest in the segment.

At the opposite end of the vehicle is a range of highly advanced and class-leading engines and gearbox choices. The Brand’s acclaimed new PureTech three-cylinder petrol and leading-edge BlueHDi diesels engines ensure the 308 has class-leading economy and lowest emissions right across the range. Depending on the model selected, fuel economy can be as high as 91.1mpg with CO₂ emissions as low as 82g/km (lower than some hybrid cars).

For owners, the PEUGEOT 308 is a versatile and practical compact family car.  One of many highlights is its striking and contemporary PEUGEOT ‘i-Cockpit’ interior, which provides a genuine premium feel. Driver-focused environment is like nothing else in the class, offering one of the most technically advanced touch-screen infotainment systems available.

The 308 hatchback was supported by the arrival of the 308 SW in the spring, offering a balanced and stylish estate body style. The SW boot below the parcel shelf is an impressive 660 litres, which also includes 70 litres of storage under the floor and the ‘Magic Flat’ rear seats, standard on all versions, are both easy and intuitive to use.

October’s Paris Motor Show witnessed the public debut of the performance-oriented 308 GT, which goes on sale in the UK in January. Designed to be even more engaging and exhilarating to drive, power comes from either a 1.6-litre THP 205 Stop&Start petrol engine with a six-speed manual or a 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 diesel engine. The diesel delivers 180hp, has 400Nm of torque, can accelerate between 50-70mph in 5.5 seconds yet has CO₂ emissions of just 103g/km and economy of 70.6mpg.

Lecoupeur commented: “We won’t be resting on our laurels and with the arrival of the PEUGEOT 308 GT we have the opportunity to bring a new type of driver into the fold and make 2015 just as successful for the accomplished and award-winning 308.”