That Peugeot doesn’t have a sizzling hatch in its present lineup is unhappy. That one does not appear to be within the works is borderline inexcusable. Sure, for the entire standard causes that producers will have to have rapid five-doors to be had – it’s a excellent emblem builder, it makes for an reasonably priced efficiency automobile – however as a result of its present 208 and 308 are in reality relatively excellent. Frustratingly, it’s when the usual fashions are at their absolute best that Peugeot isn’t concerned about making GTIs of them. And even e-GTIs, for one thing somewhat other; as consistent with the combustion fashions, battery-powered 208s and 308s were gained smartly. We are living in hope of a metamorphosis in route however don’t be expecting a lot. It kind of feels that the times of Peugeot sizzling hatches – or efficiency Peugeots past the 508 Recreation Engineered – are more or less finished.

Within the fortieth 12 months of most likely Peugeot’s most renowned efficiency automobile (the 205 GTI, in case Monday has were given to you as smartly), that feels a selected disgrace. There’s been that funky Rallye thought from Europe, however anything else even vaguely such as a efficiency flagship for the present 208 appears to be like extraordinarily not going. No longer most effective is that disappointing given how sensible the present style appears to be like with a couple of tweaks, it isn’t that way back that Peugeot in reality cared in regards to the GTI badge on its hatchbacks. 

The 308 GTI was once a perfect Golfing rival, however nowadays the eye is at the 208. The usual GTI was once wonderful, if somewhat forgettable. To mark the thirtieth birthday of the enduring 205 (and to present the Fiesta ST one thing to in reality consider), 2014 introduced us a correct new Peugeot pocket rocket: the 208 GTI thirtieth. What can have been an insignificant anniversary particular with a doubtful two-tone paint activity in reality proved to be somewhat of a sizzling hatch hero. 

The negligible eight-horsepower acquire (to 208hp) wasn’t the large information – the chassis adjustments are what in reality made the thirtieth. The tracks had been wider than same old, the damaging camber extra competitive and the brakes a lot larger (amongst different issues), with a limited-slip diff thrown in for excellent measure as smartly. The release for it was once sensible: a kart observe outdoor Paris, with each same old and upgraded automobiles to take a look at. The place the common GTI was once imprecise and unfastened, the thirtieth was once taut, direct, and a complete heap of amusing. It was once the most efficient Peugeot sizzling hatch in yonks. 

That affect was once true on UK roads, too. The fee had greater, sure, however the enjoy was once befitting of a £23k sizzling hatch. Other people would level to the Fiesta ST, inevitably, although valuable few of the ones had been in anything else not up to ST-2 spec which might were round £20k anyway. Right here was once a bonafide rival for the quick Ford of the instant with a lion at the entrance of it; for lovers all over, that was once excellent information. 

In all probability it was once the paint, or the associated fee, or the affiliation with a somewhat abnormal same old style, however you don’t have a tendency to look many 30ths – or the later, routinely equivalent By means of Peugeot Recreation style – round. It wasn’t with out flaws (the riding place didn’t go well with everybody, for starters), and the 1.6 turbo was once by no means probably the most tuneful of four-cylinders, however, this in reality was once an actual little corker of a sizzling hatch. It’s superb to suppose that as just lately as a decade in the past Peugeot was once making automobiles like this, the RCZ R and the 308 GTI. Nice efficiency flagships all, now with not anything to apply them up. 

This thirtieth is notable as one from that release 12 months, that means it’s now 10 years outdated, in addition to the two-tone ‘Coupe Franche’ paint and an overly low mileage of simply 31,000. Simply 800 30ths had been made, with 100 for the United Kingdom and 75 within the black and pink – that is #17. The ad doesn’t do an terrible lot greater than checklist the usual package (it mentions the diff, a minimum of); that being mentioned, what will also be gleaned from the pics is encouraging. The wheels haven’t been kerbed, the bolsters haven’t been destroyed, and the matt paint nonetheless appears to be like the way it will have to. 

The asking value is £10,499; numerous Fiestas to be had for that cash, positive, in addition to dual-clutch Clios, which was once a part of the 208s downside when new. For a style of the recent hatch old skool, although, entire with guide gearbox and back-to-basics amusing, there’s so much to counsel a thirtieth. Even supposing possibly the paint nonetheless isn’t one in all them. 

Engine: 1,598cc four-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: Six-speed guide, front-wheel force, limited-slip differential
Energy (hp): 208@5,800rpm
Torque (lb toes): 221@1,700rpm
0-62mph: 6.5 seconds
Best velocity: 143mph
MPG: 52.3 (NEDC) 
CO2: 125g/km (NEDC)
Value new: £21,995
Yours for: £10,499