Performance Review: Peugeot 306 GTi 6 - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 306 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 306 GTi 6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Peugeot 306 has a 1998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 306 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 306's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1214 kgs (2676 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 306 GTi 6 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 306 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 167 bhp (124 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 145 lb-ft (196.5 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Peugeot 306 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (162.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 306.

The Peugeot 306 has a Power to weight ratio of 137.5 bhp per ton and 119.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 306 competing with the 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (162.4 bhp per ton) or the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (162.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Peugeot 306 generating around 119.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Rover 200 220 Coupe Turbo (144.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 Turbo (144.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Peugeot 306 GTi 6 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Peugeot 306 GTi 6 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 306 and the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 306 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.59 secs @ 87.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.52 secs), the 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (15.52 secs), and the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider (15.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Peugeot 306 GTi 6 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 306 equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Peugeot 306 GTi 6 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1996 306 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison