'We will not be making an RC or GTI version of the 308 in the forseeable future,' said Peugeot's chief of technical communications. And why should it, given the promise of the RC Z coupe (see separate story)? But the company has nevertheless been exploring new combinations from its parts bin, with the result you see here.

It's the 308 GT, and there's nothing hardcore hot-hatch about it. This is no rival to a Megane 225 or even a Golf GTI, but don't dismiss it for that. Occasionally in an evocentrically-barren range lies a buried gem, and this might be it.