Goodbye to the Peugeot 308 GT petrol

The most balanced version of the range, the Peugeot 308 GT with petrol engine, will cease production

The arrival of the new WLTP homologation cycle, to the detriment of the meagre NEDC, led last summer both to the definitive disappearance from the catalogues of a good number of models from different brands, and to the temporary withdrawal of others until their mechanics could be readapted so they could meet environmental requirements.

The latest victim of this process of adaptation to regulatory demands is, possibly, the most successful version of the Peugeot 308 in terms of performance, liveability and price: the Peugeot 308 GT petrol. The variant sitting between the simplest versions of the compact model and the most extreme one, the Peugeot 308 GTI, a sports car that already had to undergo environmental treatment thanks to the incorporation of a particulate filter, or FAP, which led to a loss of power, dropping from 270 CV to 263.

Be that as it may, the new European regulation on CO2 emissions has hung like a sword of Damocles over the production of the Peugeot 308, specifically over the Peugeot 308 GT and the Peugeot 308 GTi.

Reasons for ending production of the petrol Peugeot 308 GT

With the maximum benchmark of 95 grams of carbon dioxide emitted per kilometre travelled, the Peugeot 308 GT, whose 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine is capable of delivering a not inconsiderable 225 CV, also generates moderate levels of polluting gases.

According to the homologation of the Peugeot 308 GT, this compact emits 133 grams of CO2 per km driven, meaning the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for this car should amount to roughly a third of the current figure.

A challenge that Peugeot does not appear to have in its plans to tackle, with the technology currently used for this model, other than by ceasing production of this Peugeot 308 GT in its petrol option.

That is why, before the regulation recently approved by the European Parliament comes into force, and given that the current Peugeot 308, which has already received a slight aesthetic and equipment update, is entering the final phase of its commercial life, its petrol Peugeot 308 GT version will cease to be built.

The diesel version, the Peugeot 308 GT diesel with its 177 CV BlueHDI engine, seems to be holding its place in the catalogue, at least for now, despite also exceeding the permitted maximum, though by a smaller margin, at 116 grams of CO2/km travelled.

The chosen moment for ending production of the petrol Peugeot 308 GT will be during June of this year. At that point, the version that came to face another rival, a victim of WLTP, the Renault Megane GT, will also, for the time being, turn the page, awaiting the new generation of the Peugeot 308.

Therefore, we are looking at the last petrol Peugeot 308 GTs built. Units registered will reach dealerships before the model stops being manufactured.

The Peugeot 308 GTI will continue to be built

And, although the Peugeot 308 GTI has carbon dioxide emission figures higher than its sibling’s, at 148 grams of CO2 generated per kilometre travelled, it appears that its production is assured, at least until the arrival of the new generation.

So we will see whether there is room for a GTI version or whether, as seems to be the trend, the more powerful or sporty versions arrive hand in hand with the support or full implementation of systems with electric motors.