Peugeot has a strong history in family hatch-sized hot GTi contenders. Here’s one of the most potent ever, a 308 GTi model that produces up to 270bhp and it is ready to do battle in this sector with the Ford Focus ST and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
The 308 GTi is aimed at the enthusiast end of the market - in every way a red-hot hatch. Hence the effort that’s gone into tuning both the chassis and the 1.6-litre THP turbo engine, a unit offered in both 250 and 270bhp guises. Either way, performance is strong, both versions quicker over the benchmark sprint than the Ford Focus ST.

The most powerful unit will get from a standing start to 62mph in 6.0 seconds, while the lower powered 250bhp variant can complete the benchmark sprint in a time of 6.2 seconds.

Both models will go on to a top speed of 155mph.

This 308 GTi certainly looks the part, offered with clean lines that build on those of the standard car.

As you’d expect though, this top hot hatch has more road presence than its siblings, with a muscular stance and plenty of enhancements to the exterior to make it stand out from the crowd.

In profile, the redesigned door sills hint at the car’s aggressive nature, while the sleek rear design features a gloss-black section housing the twin exhaust pipes.

With a wider track of 1,570mm at the front and 1,554mm at the rear, this GTi has been engineered to offer exceptional grip.

GTi 250 versions are shod with 18-inch alloys, while the GTi 270 variants feature dynamic 19-inch ‘Carbone’ light-weight wheels.

Peugeot seems to be rediscovering a little of its hot hatch magic.

The 208 GTi showed us that the company’s ‘Sport’ division still knew how to build a decent shopping rocket and this 308 GTi model seems to confirm that feeling.

For the full-fat experience, you really need the 270bhp version but assuming you can stretch to that, then there’s much here to like.