- Peugeot E-208 GTi unveiled
- Performance electric hot hatch
- Power of 280 hp and limited slip differential
- 0-62 mph in just 5.7 seconds
- Set for full launch later this year
It’s back! Peugeot has resurrected its legendary GTi badge with this, the fully-electric E-208 GTi hot hatch.
Peugeot has been sticking a ‘GTi’ label on its performance cars for more than 40 years now, with the first being the 1.6L version of the 205 GTi which hit the road in 1984.
The last Peugeot GTi we enjoyed was the 308 GTi that was discontinued back in 2020.
But all that’s about to change when the E-208 GTi gets its full launch later this year.
It’ll be the first electric Peugeot ever to wear those three letters and Peugeot reckons it’s ‘more GTi than ever’ while also offering ‘the best performance in the electric hot hatch market’.
Peugeot E-208 GTi performance
So, let’s start with those performance stats.
A 54 kW unlocks power of 280 hp and 345 Nm of torque while a limited-slip differential comes as standard. All of that means the E-208 GTi is capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds.
Is that really the best in class, as Peugeot says? It is, sort of…
The Alpine A290 is less punchy, doing the 0-62 mph sprint in 6.4 seconds, and the MINI Cooper Electric John Cooper Works also lags behind at 5.9 seconds. The Peugeot E-208 GTi is also 0.1 of a second quicker off the line than the hot ‘VZ’ variant of the CUPRA Born.
The front-wheel drive E-208 GTi is not, however, going to beat the all-wheel drive Smart #1 Brabus in a drag race, with the electric Smart zipping from 0-62 mph in an astonishing 3.9 seconds.
With the E-208 GTi, a dedicated ‘Sport’ mode dials-down the interventions from the ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) so that you can really hoon it about on the track.
Peugeot E-208 GTi design
When it comes to the E-208 GTi’s design, the touchstone is very much the 1.9-litre 205 GTi first launched back in 1986 (a car that’s widely considered one of the greatest hot hatches ever conceived).
It sits 30 mm lower than the regular Peugeot E-208 and it’s also wider (by 56mm at the front). There are flared wheel arches to accommodate that more aggressive stance.
The E-208’s chassis has also been heavily revised for the GTi model, with new springs and shock absorbers with specific hydraulic stops and a rear anti-roll bar. The GTi wears Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
There are four-pot performance brakes with red-painted callipers. Meanwhile the E-208 GTi’s 18-inch alloy wheels have been specifically designed to ape the ‘Speedline’ wheels of the 205 GTi 1.9, complete with those famous circular cut-outs.
The GTi also improves on the standard E-208 with a front spoiler and rear diffuser. Your standard colour is red - which is a theme continued in the cabin.
Peugeot E-208 GTi interior
Take a seat in the E-208 GTi’s cabin and you’ll find a compact steering wheel clad in Alcantara as well as cosseting sports seats with integrated headrests.
There’s an abundance of the colour red everywhere you look, from the dash to the ambient lighting.
You also get Peugeot’s 21-inch twin-screen ‘i-Cockpit’ infotainment set up with sat nav and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Peugeot E-208 GTi electric range
While the regular Peugeot E-208 is capable of travelling up to 268 miles between charges, the E-208 GTi makes do with a 217-mile range.
Peugeot has, however, said that it has gleaned learnings from its exploits in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) to ensure optimum thermal management and energy recovery with the E-208 GTi.
Using a typical 7.4 kW AC home charger will take around 4 hours 40 mins for a full energy replenish. A rapid charge at 100 kW DC goes from 20-80% in 30 minutes.
Alain Favey, CEO of Peugeot, said:
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Peugeot E-208 GTi, a ground-breaking next chapter in an iconic GTi story. This model represents a fusion of our rich heritage with cutting-edge technology, offering unparalleled performance and driving sensations, because at Peugeot we are serious about driving pleasure. With this new GTi, we set new standards within the hot hatch market.”
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