Lisbon was the setting this week for the launch of the Peugeot 308 GT, a car that conjures up memories of what the French car maker is capable of producing in terms of motor sport and their heritage for fast road cars.

Available in hatchback and SW body styles, both GT models offer assertive new styling, outstanding petrol and diesel performance-oriented engines and special chassis modifications. The result will delight even the most enthusiastic drivers.

Outwardly, the Peugeot Lion emblem has moved from the bonnet to the front grille with three horizontal blades on either side like the Peugeot 508. It comes with 18" Diamant wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres and a striking and posture. You also get a lacquered black diffuser and stylish twin exhaust pipes to add to the sporty look. The GT badge is placed on the tailgate, as well as the front grille and wheel arches.

Inside the cabin both the roof lining and upper window pillars finished in anthracite. Red stitching on the upholstery trim is also found on the dashboard, door panels, gear lever gaiter and floor mats. You get aluminium pedals and stainless steel door sills that add to the finishing touch. You also get Peugeot’s compact steering wheel finished in a perforated leather trim and the GT badge in the centre. The instrument panel bears a new chequered flag motif background and switching on the ignition produces a GT welcome message. The large touchscreen colour scheme is a sporty red and black.

Peugeot add a Driver Sport Pack, standard on every 308 GT which includes an amplified, sporty engine noise, firmer and more responsive power steering, a more responsive accelerator pedal, a more responsive automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles. The instrument panel displays power and torque delivered, turbo pressure, longitudinal and transverse acceleration. The driver can choose to turn off the Driver Sport Pack setting for a more comfort-orientated drive, using a button on the centre console.

The four-cylinder 1.6-litre THP 205bhp Stop & Start petrol 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 CO2/km and 5.6L/100km for the hatchback and 134g CO2/km and 5.8L/100km for the SW.

The four-cylinder 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180bhp 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. 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, equal to fuel consumption of 4.0L/100km mpg for the hatchback and 107g CO2/km and 4.1L/100km for the SW. This diesel engine is coupled to an EAT6 six-speed automatic gearbox.
The new Peugeot 308 will be available in Ireland for special order from spring 2015. Final specifications and price details will be announced closer to launch.