Peugeot e-208 GTi Is a Return to Hot Hatches for the French Brand
Peugeot announced the return of the GTi badge with the new e-208 GTi hatchback.
The electric hot hatch makes 276 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque from its lone front-mounted motor.
The e-208's verve isn't confined to the numbers; the GTi gets a look that matches its demeanor, with a widened stance, a new spoiler, and an aggressive rear diffuser.
It's a big week for fast cars over in France. You may not have heard, but it's Le Mans weekend, and now Peugeot has announced the return of the GTi badge. That's right—the electric 208 has been given the GTi treatment, and it looks phenomenal.
Peugeot
Peugeot
Starting off with the performance, the GTi's front-mounted motor was lifted from the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, its larger platform-mate. The lone motor produces a healthy 276 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to launch the little hatchback to 62 mph in a claimed 5.7 seconds. That may not sound like much here in the U.S., but the GTi has 142 more horsepower than the standard e-208 hatchback.
Peugeot
Along with making decent power, the e-208 GTi is equipped with a limited-slip differential to keep things tidy in high-speed corners. The tracks have been widened by 2.2 inches at the front and 1.0 inch at the rear. The suspension is fitted with hydraulic bump stops, dropping the ride height by 1.1 inches. The steering is also said to have been tuned for a more direct response during spirited driving. The real performance upgrade comes to the tires, with Peugeot equipping the e-208 GTi with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber.
In typical GTi fashion, the e-208 gets a visual makeover to match the performance upgrades. In addition to the wider and lower stance, the GTi gets a more aggressive front lip, along with a sizable spoiler and a large diffuser at the rear.
Peugeot
Given that Peugeot doesn't compete in the U.S., the new hot hatch won't be sold here. Despite the attractive performance metrics, we figure the rather small 54-kWh battery would scare off most American customers anyway.
Jack Fitzgerald
Associate News Editor
Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
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