Peugeot reckons it has trimmed the starting price for its new 308 GTi but the French hot hatch will still cost more than a Volkswagen GTI when it arrives early next year.
Local executives originally said the GTi would cost between $45,000 and $55,000 but after discussions with head office at the recent international launch of the car, the price has been pruned to sneak in below the lowest estimate at $44,990 for the GTi 250 and $49,990 for the more powerful version.
That still slots the Pug in above a host of impressive hot hatches.
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The Golf GTI starts from $40,990, the Ford Focus ST $38,990, the Holden Astra VXR $39,990 and the Renault Megane 265 $43,990.
But despite the price, Peugeot is already holding orders, even before the books officially open at the start of December.
The 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport comes in two states of tune — the GTi 250 with 184kW and the GTi 270 with 200kW — but torque is the same, 330Nm.
Peugeot shares the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo with BMW and Mini. It is a development of the powerplant in the RCZ sports car.
The not-so-good news is that, in common with the 208 GTi before it, the front-wheel drive 308 GTi comes as a six-speed manual only, a prospect that won’t thrill city dwellers.
[“source-carsguide”]