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Peugeot 308 GT THP 175 - Source Channel4 - 4Cars 2008

Despite a few disappointments in recent years, Peugeot is still a force to be reckoned when it comes to making hot hatches, so it's easy to get a little bit excited at the prospect of driving the new 173bhp turbocharged hatch that's set to spearhead the 308 range.

Until now, enthusiasts have had to settle for the punchy, but not very sporty, 134bhp diesel 2.0-litre. Not anymore.

The high power GT THP 175 makes itself noticed against the rest of the 308 range with a subtle rear boot spoiler, new 18" alloys, lower suspension and a larger deeper front air intake.

Packing the same twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6 in the GT and GTi 207, the 308 gains a remapped ECU that boosts power over the 148bhp version to 173bhp developed at 6,000rpm.

The firm says it could have tweaked the engine for more power but wanted to focus instead on torque for punchier mid-range performance.

With an impressive 180lb-ft of torque (195lb-ft for short periods of time on overboost) from just 1,600rpm it seems the French brand has succeeded.

It also says economy and emissions were also priorities - perhaps not music to enthusiasts' ears, but useful for those who will be using the Peugeot for business every day.

Peugeot is pitching its GT against similarly 'warm' alternatives like the turbo and supercharged Golf 1.4 as well as the 1.6 Vauxhall Astra Turbo, but will it leave drivers as equally cool on the road?

Reliability and Quality

According to Peugeot internal customer satisfaction surveys buyers who have had a 308 for more than 10 weeks are a pretty pleased bunch. Well, it's easy for them to say that, but in terms of the ownership experience Peugeot says their data proves that this small family hatch is not only the most pleasing Peugeot in the range to own, but the most satisfying car to run in the entire PSA group.

How much weight you place on such surveys you place is up to you, but inside, the 308 GT, like the rest of the range, benefits from a huge leap forward when considering the quality of the materials used.

Alas, our first drive in a non-GT 308 revealed a nasty noise behind the dash that would be impossible to live with.

Not an impressive start, but other 308s, including the GT were rattle-free and built well. It will be interesting to see whether future independent satisfaction surveys reveal a demonstrable improvement in reliability.

On the Road

The shapely sport seats, new thick-rimmed leather steering wheel, aluminium touches and drilled pedals tell you this is a 308 with far more athletic aspirations than the rest of the more sensible range of small family cars.

Finding a comfortable driving position isn't a problem, although we'd personally prefer a lower seat. Like the rest of the range, in any position, visibility is hindered by the oversized front A-pillars.

Move off the mark and it's immediately clear what a fine engine the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol is. Co-developed with BMW and found not only in other Peugeot models but the Mini Cooper S, the smooth, yet willing engine is almost completely without lag thanks to its twin scroll turbocharging system that draws on high pressure exhaust gases directly from the pistons.

This means available boost arrives from as little as 1,000rpm, with peak torque arriving at a diesel-like 1,600rpm where strong pull is available all the way to the red line.

For the new more powerful car, there's a new compact, six-speed gearbox that offers a fine, light and quick change and a better spread of ratios than the 5-speed gearbox in the 207 GTi.

The performance on tap isn't blistering, sprinting to 62mph in 8.3 seconds topping out at 140mph. In isolation, these are pretty impressive figures, but Volkswagen's 168bhp turbo and supercharged 1.4 betters it, not only in hitting sixty quicker 7.9 seconds, but also feeling livelier on the move.

The 308's performance seems even less impressive when you consider the impact of the GT's near £19,000 list price. For those looking for the biggest bang for your buck look elsewhere. Both Honda's 197bhp Civic Type R and 222bhp Ford Focus ST are both cheaper, substantially quicker and more fun on the open road than the 308 GT.

Luckily, the 308 claws back some of an advantage over its hardcore competitors by being far more useable and, if you're looking for it, more comfortable to live with.

Even running on the new 18" wheels the ride feels more cosseting than the stiffer sprung diesel we drove last year on equally large rims.

In hard driving the 308 is competent, with nicely weighted steering, tenacious grip and some adjustability when entering a bend too quickly.