Peugeot 308 GT: here in April

Peugeot will show the new hottest option within its 308 hatchback range at next month’s Geneva show – the 308 GT THP 175 – but it’s cautious about calling it a hot hatch.Powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-pot that you’ll find in the 207 GTi, the 308 GT’s got 175bhp and an overboosted 195lb ft maximum of torque too – but, says Peugeot, it’s better to think about it as a handsomely-equipped range-topper than a performance option per se.The exterior of the car has been gently massaged with a number of cosmetic changes. The car’s front bumper is deeper than standard while, at the rear, it gets a roof spoiler. The car also rides slightly lower than a standard 308.The 308 GT's 1.6-litre turbo engine is powerful enough to send it to 62mph in 8.3sec, and on to 140mph. However, because its smaller than the normally aspirated 2.0-litre motor from this car’s predecessor (the 307 Feline), it emits 20g/km less of CO2, and should return 37.1mpg on the combined cycle.Prices and full specification on the 308 GT will be announced nearer its UK showroom launch, set for April 2008.

The hottest Peugeot 308: RCZ

Meanwhile, development work continues on the Peugeot 308 RCZ, which will become the driver’s option within the Peugeot range when it launches in late 2009.“The engineers target is to bring the road car into production as close as possible to last year’s concept,” a company source told Autocar. That could mean we even see the concept’s low, swooping carbonfibre roof make it to the showroom, as well as its lightweight aluminium-rich body construction, and its 218bhp, 221lb ft 1.6-litre turbo engine capable of sending this car to 62mph in less than 7.0sec, and on to almost 150mph.

Click here to find out about the new 308 SW, which will also debut at the 2008 Geneva show.