Peugeot 308 GT THP 200. That which we call a rose…

The UK only Peugeot 308 GT

That at least is the hope for Peugeot UK. For the Peugeot 308 GT THP 200 is in fact the Peugeot 308 GTi in the rest of Europe, as we reported back in May. But as we told you at the time, Peugeot UK wouldn’t market the Euro 308 GTi as a GTi because it’s “…not a GTi as we would know it”.

Which makes marketing the car rather difficult. On the one hand you’re saying it doesn’t stack up as a real GTi, but you have to market it as something. So we get a moniker which says ‘Not quite as good as the GTi but better than the rest’. And as that wouldn’t fit on the back of the 308 we’ll have to settle for Peugeot 308 GT THP 200.

So having tried to explain Peugeot’s marketing dilemma, what does the 308 GT have to offer? Well, it looks like just the same as the 308 GTi. You get the 200hp 1.6 litre Turbo lump which will do 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds and 140mph, and as long as you don’t have a completely lead right foot you should average 41mpg.

As befits the 308 GT’s sporty pretensions you get tweaked suspension and steering, bigger brakes and 18″ alloys. There are some exterior changes too, with carbon-style insert under the front bumper, chromed exhaust tips, a roof spoiler, a rear diffuser and of course the required ‘GT’ badging.

The inside gets sportified too, with a set of sports seats, aluminium for the pedals, gear knob, footrest and steering wheel detail and some glossy black trim splashed around.

It’s Hobson’s choice on the body style with just a 5 door version on offer. Priced at £21,995, the 308 GT is up for grabs in Aluminium, Babylon Red, Bianca White, Ipanema Blue, Nera Black and Shark Grey all coming with a black, half leather interior and on sale this month.

The new Peugeot 308 GT THP 200. A Peugeot 308 GTi. But not as we know it.

By Cars UK