Peugeot has an all-new 308 hatchback on the horizon, and it would be decidedly un-French of them not to offer a hotted-up version of said hatchback. Meet the 308R, which gets 266 horsepower out of just 1.6 liters.
The 308R is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just a few weeks. According to Carscoops, the R borrows the powertrain from the Peugeot RCZ coupe, meaning its turbo 1.6-liter engine will send 266 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. Other goodies include a six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential.
It's a good looking little hatch, and its power numbers put it squarely in Ford Focus ST territory. Obviously, we Americans won't get to sample how good it is, but our friends in France should get a more practical alternative to the RCZ.
I also think this is a sign of just how much power we're able to eke out of modern small engines. 266 horses from 1.6 liters is mighty impressive.