You know me, I like to know what the fastest hatchback in the world is at all times. Currently, the Audi RS3 and Mercedes A45 AMG are almost tied. But when the Peugeot 308R HYbrid comes out, it will humiliate everybody.
Until now, Peugeot has never even admitted that it will put the 308R HYbrid into series production. However, it's time for this charade to stop. A drag race and even a track duel with the RS3 proves the French are fully committed.
EVO France is a brand new twist on a familiar British magazine. Right before Chrismas, it got the chance to test the 308R prototype against Audi's mighty 2.5-liter turbo monster. The results are shocking for anybody who knows how hot hatches work.
In the drag race, the RS3 pulls amazingly well off the line due to its launch control system. However, at about 70 km/h, the 308R blitzes by like it's been shot out of a gun.
The French car continues to stretch its lead at an alarming pace. You never see this kind of difference between two cars in the same class!
Once you look at the numbers, it all makes sense. While the 2.5-liter turbo of the Audi offers a respectable 367 PS and 465 Nm of torque, the 308R has 500 PS and 730 Nm of torque.
As a short recap, this hybrid prototype is powered by the 270 PS 1.6-liter turbo from the GTi model combined with two electric engines.
Based on this video, we can guarantee that the 308R will walk all over the Mercedes A45 AMG and might keep up with the C63 sedan.
That's the good news, the bad news being that if they plan to put it into production, the cost would be somewhere in the region of €70,000. That defines this Peugeot as a car for the fanatics and those who want to dry new things. Stiff suspension and a tiny boot would make it impractical as an everyday machine. But a French car that could race a Porsche 911 is something to behold.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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