What's the news?

Peugeot has revealed its Frankfurt hand, and one of the stars from an enthusiast's point of view is undoubtedly the 308 R concept car. Based on the mechanicals of the RCZ R coupé, the show car is expected to closely represent a range-topping hot hatch for the all-new Golf rival.

Exterior

At first glance, the 308 R looks little different to the regular Peugeot 308 hatchback - two-tone paintwork aside - but read on and you'll discover that the doors, front wings, the body sides and sills, bonnet and bumpers are made from carbon fibre and they're all subtly beefed up in appearance. The door mirrors are made from carbon too. The track is 30mm wider than the regular car's and the increase is emphasised by the low, wide front apron featuring three large air intakes - the outer two covered by a carbon mesh. The radiator grille adopts the chequered effect first seen on the Peugeot 208 GTi.

Bespoke 19-inch alloys dominate the side profile, combining with the 26mm ride height drop to give the 308 R a much sportier stance than the regular car. At the rear there are dual-exit exhaust pipes, a low bumper and red accenting.

Interior

Peugeot is continuing with the 'i-Cockpit' layout pioneered in the 208 hatchback, where the driver looks over the (distinctly small) steering wheel to see the instruments. The 308 R also features a large 9.7-inch touch screen.

Mechanicals

Under the bonnet is the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that'll soon do business in the Peugeot RCZ R coupé. It puts out 270hp at 6,000rpm yet emits just 145g/km of CO₂. The maximum torque figure, 330Nm, is produced from 1,900- to 5,500rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox distributes power to the front wheels via a Torsen limited slip differential. No performance figures have been released at the time of writing.

Huge Alcon brakes help keep things in check. Up front they're 380 x 32mm and at the rear they measure 330 x 22mm. Four-piston calipers grab the discs.

Anything else?

The 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show marks the world debut of the regular Peugeot 308 hatchback too. A considerable 140kg has been shed from the car's body in comparison to its predecessor. Five engines will be available at launch and an all-new 1.2-litre e-THP (three-cylinder turbocharged petrol) unit will arrive in 2014, along with BlueHDi models with emissions as low as 82g/km.

Shane O' Donoghue - 27 Aug 2013