Peugeot Australia “extremely happy” with sub-$45-$50k 308 GTi pricing
Despite pricing for the new Peugeot 308 GTi raising eyebrows when announced less than four weeks ago, the French brand's local distributor says the final figures are better than originally expected.
Speaking to CarAdvice at this week’s Peugeot 308 GTi ‘preview’ drive in Sydney, the public relations and communications manager for Sime Darby Motors Group – Peugeot’s Australian distributor - Tyson Bowen, said the group is pleased with the two-model range's $44,990 to $49,990 pricing.
“I think we’re extremely happy,” Bowen said.
“Our early estimates were higher than what we’ve managed to deliver the car for. So people that were coming in the door early on, saying, ‘What will it cost?’. Well, $50,000-$55,000 is where we expected it to be. And to go back to them and say, ‘Well, you were maybe only going to buy the 250, [but] if you want the 270, you can afford it now.’ They’re ecstatic.
“For us, it’s a great win and it’s partly due to the effort of the local product planners, but also due to the greater relationships that we have with the factory now – so they’ve got a better understanding of the market than they’ve ever had before. And hence, I think that pricing sits nicely in the broad range of cars that are out there.”
Due to go on sale in February with a two-variant line-up priced from $44,990 (before on-road costs) for the ‘entry-level’ 250 and $49,990 (before on-road costs) for the flagship 270, the front-wheel-drive/six-speed manual-only Peugeot 308 GTi is firmly positioned at the pointier end of its highly competitive segment.
Just how competitive is the segment?
If you’re after a front-wheel-drive hot-hatch, your five-door options range from the Ford Focus ST ($38,990), Volkswagen Golf GTI ($40,990), and Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance ($46,490).
Opt for three doors and you’re looking at the Holden Astra VXR ($39,990), Mini John Cooper Works ($47,400) and Renault Megane RS275 Cup Premium ($52,990).
If four-wheel drive is your flavour, there’s the Audi S1 ($49,900) and Volkswagen Golf R ($52,740). And let’s not forget the upcoming Ford Focus RS, which is set to drop in mid-2016 priced from $50,990.
Powered by a heavily turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder, the Peugeot 308 GTi 250 gets 184kW of power at 6000rpm and 330Nm of torque between 1900-4000rpm and claims a 6.2-second 0-100km/h time.
With 200kW at 6000rpm and 330Nm between 1900-5000rpm, and help from stickier tyres and a limited-slip front differential, the dearer 270 claims a quicker 6.0-second 0-100km/h.
According to Bowen, orders to-date are already split 70:30 in the higher-specced car's favour.
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