In Europe, spicier versions of popular hatchbacks in the B- (supermini) and C-segments (compact) isn’t that much (at least not always) about direct sales as it is about prestige and building a more positive, sportier and younger image around the entire range, which in turn, boosts their sales.
Peugeot also has a tradition in designing hot hatches, even though some of its more recent creations have failed to inspire much of a following. At this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the French brand is floating around a concept for a carbonfibre-clad 308 with the “R” moniker that borrows the new RCZ R’s 266hp (270PS) 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four.
Coincidentally or not, Peugeot has started circulating thinly camouflaged versions of its 308 hatch on European roads, which we believe to be mules for an upcoming sports version.
The question is whether the lightly modified (notice the bigger air inlets on the front bumper) 308 is a test mule for a GTi edition, which would likely get a 220-230hp version of the 1.6-liter turbo engine, or if Peugeot is mulling (pun intended) directly the creation of an “R” model with the same 266hp (270PS) as the study, in which case, it will give the latest VW Golf GTI a run for its money.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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