- Inspiration behind Peugeot E-208 GTi
- Designer Matthias Hossann reveals all
- Doesn’t just take cues from the iconic 205 GTi
- Major touchstone was the Peugeot e-LEGEND concept from 2018
- Perfect blend of retro style and future innovation
- Peugeot E-208 GTi order books open now
Peugeot has revealed what car helped inspire the new E-208 GTi - and it’s not a model we were expecting.
The Peugeot E-208 GTi has officially arrived in the UK, with prices starting at £34,995.
The French firm’s first fully electric hot hatch gets power of 281 PS and a 0-62mph time of just 5.5 seconds, helping it inch ahead of rivals like the CUPRA Raval, VW ID. Polo and the Alpine A290.
You also get a mechanical limited slip differential for that all-important razor-sharp handling.
There’s an obvious car from Peugeot’s past that acted as the driving force behind the E-208 GTi.
Yep, it’s the legendary Peugeot 205 GTi from the 1980s that enthusiasts will tell you is the greatest hot hatch ever made.
But there’s another vehicle - a coupe, no less - that designers turned to when formulating the E-208 GTi… and it’s the Peugeot e-LEGEND.
What is the Peugeot e-LEGEND?
First revealed back in 2018, the e-LEGEND was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 504 Coupe.
It was fully electric, built to operate autonomously, and was also drop dead gorgeous, in our humble opinion.
The e-LEGEND was, according to Peugeot, also capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in less than 4.0 seconds.
The E-208 GTi is slower, then, than its older, bigger brother - but the basic idea behind both cars is the same.
Peugeot Design Director Matthias Hossann explains: “With both cars, we take heritage but push it into the future. It's always interesting looking at past colours and shapes, then we tweak it and move it into the future to make it a proper Peugeot
“With E-208 GTi, there was no question of doing a purely retro design. But we did want to keep our heritage. We're really proud of that, but we wanted to twist it with innovation and push it into the future.”
Hossann also says they wanted to make sure their new electric GTi wasn’t too showy.
He adds: “We didn’t want the exterior design to be too overstated or to show off too much. If you love cars, you will look at E-208 GTi and immediately see that it’s a GTi because of its stance. If you’re not an expert, you will still see a beautiful 208.”
Peugeot E-208 GTi - obvious nods to the 205 GTi
The shadow of the old 205 GTi is clearly cast across the new E-208 GTi, and it’s most obvious when you look at the new car’s wheels.
They’re 18-inchers, inspired by the famous ‘Speedlines’ from the 205 GTi 1.9, with their distinctive circular holes punched into the metal.
Hossann tells us: “The centre curve is like the 1.6 and the exterior shape is more like the 1.9. It’ll remind people who know all about 205 GTi of that car and people who don’t know about that will still say it’s a good rim.”
You also get bright red carpets, floor mats and seatbelts that are reminiscent of the old 205 GTi while the front seats make use of Alcantara and special red textiles for a nostalgic vibe.
You can lease the Peugeot E-208 GTi with Select Car Leasing.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news
- New MG GO! Is a head-turning homage to the old MGB GT
- Top 10 best car lease deals July 2026
- Our 350-mile adventure in an Aston Martin Valhalla
- Skoda Elroq vRS humbles trio of 1980s supercars!
- Denza Bao 5 - our first drive review!
Where To Next?
What is car leasing? Read our car leasing explainer.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.
Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.
