Peugeot e-208 GTi unveiled: French hot hatch goes electric
Peugeot is wading into the electric hot hatch battle with the GTi badge now affixed to the e-208 city hatch.
Under the bonnet there's a more powerful French-made electric motor with 209kW and 345Nm driving the front wheels. That's quite a big step up from the regular e-208's 115kW motor.
To help the GTi make a clean getaway it's fitted with a limited-slip differential. The e-208 GTi can complete the 0-100km/h dash in 5.7 seconds, and hit a top speed of 180km/h.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
A 54kWh battery from CATL is standard, and provides a 350km driving range under the WLTP standard. AC charging speeds top out at 7.4kW, and 100kW can be achieved with at a DC fast charger.
The GTi rides on 215/40 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres wrapped around 18-inch wheels styled to resemble the 'hole' rims used on the 205 GTi.
Peugeot claims this not only honours the car's heritage, but provides extra cooling for the brakes. The front discs have been upsized to 355mm with red-painted four-piston calipers. The brakes at the rear are unchanged from the regular e-208 for 'efficiency' purposes.
To benefit the car's handling, and stance, the GTi is 30mm lower than lesser e-208 variants, and its tracks are wider by 56mm at the front and 27mm at the rear.
Inside the cabin there are new grippier front seats, a small steering wheel with a flat top and bottom, and plenty of red highlights. Prominent GTi badging appears on the alloy wheels, side sills, seats, and steering wheel.
Faux suede trim is used on the door grips, steering wheel, seats, and centre console lid. Leather is applied to the seat bolsters and parts of the steering wheel, while a huge swathe of carbon-fibre-like trim stretches from the door cards and across the dashboard.
The e-208 GTi will be produced in right-hand drive for the UK and Ireland, but it's unclear if the e-208 GTi will grace Australian streets. Indeed the Australian future of the 208 range is unclear.
Originally slated to appear locally in 2024, that date has come and gone with no movement at the station. Although the e-208 did receive Australian certification back in 2023, local importer Inchcape is keeping its cards close to its chest.
The last GTi model sold in Australia was the 308 back in 2020, with the 208 and the 208 GTi discontinued in 2018.
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Perth Now
7 hours ago
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Aussie-first hydrogen servo opens
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The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Toyota says its hybrids have saved nine million EVs worth of CO2
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has reinforced his company's commitment to prioritising hybrid vehicles (HEVs) over battery-electric vehicles (EVs or BEVs), outlining that hybrids are its ideal way forward in terms of reducing total CO2 emissions. Speaking through an interpreter in a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda-san said Toyota is as committed to reducing the environmental impact of cars as any other brand, but has adopted a cost- and time-effective way to go about reducing its carbon emissions. "When the term 'carbon neutrality' started to become popular and we started to hear about it, we set our target as a company saying that for us, the enemy is carbon," he said. "The way that we thought about it was that we're not going to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality just by building BEVs, but we have to focus on things that we can do now so that, immediately, we can reduce CO2 from the air. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We looked at ourselves [and asked] 'what can we do with the things that we have to contribute to carbon neutrality?' That was the base of how we made our decision in those times, and that has not changed now, and will not change for the future." Toyoda-san is referring to the widespread rollout of hybrid vehicles, which dominate the Japanese brand's current model range. Toyota is credited with creating the first mass-produced hybrid car in the late 1990s, and has continued to develop the technology to the market-leading status it holds today. The company's passenger car lineup is now dominated by hybrids, evidenced by the Japanese brand's Australian axing of all petrol versions of cars that offer hybrid options in 2024. Hybrids continue to play a significant role in Toyota's global efforts too, not least in its home country. Toyoda-san claims that over the past five years, the focus on hybrids played a larger role in reducing Japanese CO2 emissions than EVs. Above: Toyota Hybrid range "If you can check the data for each country about the CO2 emission situation for the past five years, it's going to be very clear," Toyoda-san said. "For Japan, we had this weapon of hybrid vehicles, so with the hybrid vehicles, we were able to reduce 23 per cent of CO2 emissions in the same [time], and it was the only country that was able to achieve that." Toyoda-san added that his company has produced and delivered upwards of 27 million hybrids to date, and claimed that figure was "equivalent to nine million BEVs in terms of the contribution to carbon neutrality". "The hybrids that we made and sold had the same impact as nine million BEVs on the road, but if we were to make nine million BEVs in [Japan] it would have actually increased the CO2 emissions, not reduced, because we are relying on thermal powerplants." Despite that, Toyoda-san reaffirmed that HEVs aren't the only way forward, pointing to Toyota's continued development of internal combustion petrol and diesel engines (ICEs), as well as EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Toyota recently revealed the next-generation RAV4 mid-size SUV (above), which will be the brand's first PHEV in Australia. The Mirai FCEV is currently being used by corporate fleets and government partners locally via very limited leases, too. The Japanese auto giant is also part of an alliance with Subaru and Mazda to develop lower-emission ICEs into the future. "I think we shouldn't just focus on [BEV] … but we should look at all the options that we have and work in all directions," Toyoda-san said. "That will be similar to thinking as a person of the planet, not just from one perspective, but thinking about the whole planet, and then we can think about the various options and take the movements to reduce CO2 as much as possible. "I believe if everyone can support this way of thinking, it will be for the benefit of all the stakeholders too." MORE: Toyota RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Corolla Cross, Kluger go hybrid-only in AustraliaMORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets fresh design, tech plus PHEV power for AustraliaMORE: Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to petrol power with new enginesMORE: Everything Toyota Content originally sourced from: Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has reinforced his company's commitment to prioritising hybrid vehicles (HEVs) over battery-electric vehicles (EVs or BEVs), outlining that hybrids are its ideal way forward in terms of reducing total CO2 emissions. Speaking through an interpreter in a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda-san said Toyota is as committed to reducing the environmental impact of cars as any other brand, but has adopted a cost- and time-effective way to go about reducing its carbon emissions. "When the term 'carbon neutrality' started to become popular and we started to hear about it, we set our target as a company saying that for us, the enemy is carbon," he said. "The way that we thought about it was that we're not going to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality just by building BEVs, but we have to focus on things that we can do now so that, immediately, we can reduce CO2 from the air. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We looked at ourselves [and asked] 'what can we do with the things that we have to contribute to carbon neutrality?' That was the base of how we made our decision in those times, and that has not changed now, and will not change for the future." Toyoda-san is referring to the widespread rollout of hybrid vehicles, which dominate the Japanese brand's current model range. Toyota is credited with creating the first mass-produced hybrid car in the late 1990s, and has continued to develop the technology to the market-leading status it holds today. The company's passenger car lineup is now dominated by hybrids, evidenced by the Japanese brand's Australian axing of all petrol versions of cars that offer hybrid options in 2024. Hybrids continue to play a significant role in Toyota's global efforts too, not least in its home country. Toyoda-san claims that over the past five years, the focus on hybrids played a larger role in reducing Japanese CO2 emissions than EVs. Above: Toyota Hybrid range "If you can check the data for each country about the CO2 emission situation for the past five years, it's going to be very clear," Toyoda-san said. "For Japan, we had this weapon of hybrid vehicles, so with the hybrid vehicles, we were able to reduce 23 per cent of CO2 emissions in the same [time], and it was the only country that was able to achieve that." Toyoda-san added that his company has produced and delivered upwards of 27 million hybrids to date, and claimed that figure was "equivalent to nine million BEVs in terms of the contribution to carbon neutrality". "The hybrids that we made and sold had the same impact as nine million BEVs on the road, but if we were to make nine million BEVs in [Japan] it would have actually increased the CO2 emissions, not reduced, because we are relying on thermal powerplants." Despite that, Toyoda-san reaffirmed that HEVs aren't the only way forward, pointing to Toyota's continued development of internal combustion petrol and diesel engines (ICEs), as well as EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Toyota recently revealed the next-generation RAV4 mid-size SUV (above), which will be the brand's first PHEV in Australia. The Mirai FCEV is currently being used by corporate fleets and government partners locally via very limited leases, too. The Japanese auto giant is also part of an alliance with Subaru and Mazda to develop lower-emission ICEs into the future. "I think we shouldn't just focus on [BEV] … but we should look at all the options that we have and work in all directions," Toyoda-san said. "That will be similar to thinking as a person of the planet, not just from one perspective, but thinking about the whole planet, and then we can think about the various options and take the movements to reduce CO2 as much as possible. "I believe if everyone can support this way of thinking, it will be for the benefit of all the stakeholders too." MORE: Toyota RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Corolla Cross, Kluger go hybrid-only in AustraliaMORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets fresh design, tech plus PHEV power for AustraliaMORE: Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to petrol power with new enginesMORE: Everything Toyota Content originally sourced from: Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has reinforced his company's commitment to prioritising hybrid vehicles (HEVs) over battery-electric vehicles (EVs or BEVs), outlining that hybrids are its ideal way forward in terms of reducing total CO2 emissions. Speaking through an interpreter in a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda-san said Toyota is as committed to reducing the environmental impact of cars as any other brand, but has adopted a cost- and time-effective way to go about reducing its carbon emissions. "When the term 'carbon neutrality' started to become popular and we started to hear about it, we set our target as a company saying that for us, the enemy is carbon," he said. "The way that we thought about it was that we're not going to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality just by building BEVs, but we have to focus on things that we can do now so that, immediately, we can reduce CO2 from the air. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We looked at ourselves [and asked] 'what can we do with the things that we have to contribute to carbon neutrality?' That was the base of how we made our decision in those times, and that has not changed now, and will not change for the future." Toyoda-san is referring to the widespread rollout of hybrid vehicles, which dominate the Japanese brand's current model range. Toyota is credited with creating the first mass-produced hybrid car in the late 1990s, and has continued to develop the technology to the market-leading status it holds today. The company's passenger car lineup is now dominated by hybrids, evidenced by the Japanese brand's Australian axing of all petrol versions of cars that offer hybrid options in 2024. Hybrids continue to play a significant role in Toyota's global efforts too, not least in its home country. Toyoda-san claims that over the past five years, the focus on hybrids played a larger role in reducing Japanese CO2 emissions than EVs. Above: Toyota Hybrid range "If you can check the data for each country about the CO2 emission situation for the past five years, it's going to be very clear," Toyoda-san said. "For Japan, we had this weapon of hybrid vehicles, so with the hybrid vehicles, we were able to reduce 23 per cent of CO2 emissions in the same [time], and it was the only country that was able to achieve that." Toyoda-san added that his company has produced and delivered upwards of 27 million hybrids to date, and claimed that figure was "equivalent to nine million BEVs in terms of the contribution to carbon neutrality". "The hybrids that we made and sold had the same impact as nine million BEVs on the road, but if we were to make nine million BEVs in [Japan] it would have actually increased the CO2 emissions, not reduced, because we are relying on thermal powerplants." Despite that, Toyoda-san reaffirmed that HEVs aren't the only way forward, pointing to Toyota's continued development of internal combustion petrol and diesel engines (ICEs), as well as EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Toyota recently revealed the next-generation RAV4 mid-size SUV (above), which will be the brand's first PHEV in Australia. The Mirai FCEV is currently being used by corporate fleets and government partners locally via very limited leases, too. The Japanese auto giant is also part of an alliance with Subaru and Mazda to develop lower-emission ICEs into the future. "I think we shouldn't just focus on [BEV] … but we should look at all the options that we have and work in all directions," Toyoda-san said. "That will be similar to thinking as a person of the planet, not just from one perspective, but thinking about the whole planet, and then we can think about the various options and take the movements to reduce CO2 as much as possible. "I believe if everyone can support this way of thinking, it will be for the benefit of all the stakeholders too." MORE: Toyota RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Corolla Cross, Kluger go hybrid-only in AustraliaMORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets fresh design, tech plus PHEV power for AustraliaMORE: Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to petrol power with new enginesMORE: Everything Toyota Content originally sourced from: Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has reinforced his company's commitment to prioritising hybrid vehicles (HEVs) over battery-electric vehicles (EVs or BEVs), outlining that hybrids are its ideal way forward in terms of reducing total CO2 emissions. Speaking through an interpreter in a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda-san said Toyota is as committed to reducing the environmental impact of cars as any other brand, but has adopted a cost- and time-effective way to go about reducing its carbon emissions. "When the term 'carbon neutrality' started to become popular and we started to hear about it, we set our target as a company saying that for us, the enemy is carbon," he said. "The way that we thought about it was that we're not going to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality just by building BEVs, but we have to focus on things that we can do now so that, immediately, we can reduce CO2 from the air. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We looked at ourselves [and asked] 'what can we do with the things that we have to contribute to carbon neutrality?' That was the base of how we made our decision in those times, and that has not changed now, and will not change for the future." Toyoda-san is referring to the widespread rollout of hybrid vehicles, which dominate the Japanese brand's current model range. Toyota is credited with creating the first mass-produced hybrid car in the late 1990s, and has continued to develop the technology to the market-leading status it holds today. The company's passenger car lineup is now dominated by hybrids, evidenced by the Japanese brand's Australian axing of all petrol versions of cars that offer hybrid options in 2024. Hybrids continue to play a significant role in Toyota's global efforts too, not least in its home country. Toyoda-san claims that over the past five years, the focus on hybrids played a larger role in reducing Japanese CO2 emissions than EVs. Above: Toyota Hybrid range "If you can check the data for each country about the CO2 emission situation for the past five years, it's going to be very clear," Toyoda-san said. "For Japan, we had this weapon of hybrid vehicles, so with the hybrid vehicles, we were able to reduce 23 per cent of CO2 emissions in the same [time], and it was the only country that was able to achieve that." Toyoda-san added that his company has produced and delivered upwards of 27 million hybrids to date, and claimed that figure was "equivalent to nine million BEVs in terms of the contribution to carbon neutrality". "The hybrids that we made and sold had the same impact as nine million BEVs on the road, but if we were to make nine million BEVs in [Japan] it would have actually increased the CO2 emissions, not reduced, because we are relying on thermal powerplants." Despite that, Toyoda-san reaffirmed that HEVs aren't the only way forward, pointing to Toyota's continued development of internal combustion petrol and diesel engines (ICEs), as well as EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Toyota recently revealed the next-generation RAV4 mid-size SUV (above), which will be the brand's first PHEV in Australia. The Mirai FCEV is currently being used by corporate fleets and government partners locally via very limited leases, too. The Japanese auto giant is also part of an alliance with Subaru and Mazda to develop lower-emission ICEs into the future. "I think we shouldn't just focus on [BEV] … but we should look at all the options that we have and work in all directions," Toyoda-san said. "That will be similar to thinking as a person of the planet, not just from one perspective, but thinking about the whole planet, and then we can think about the various options and take the movements to reduce CO2 as much as possible. "I believe if everyone can support this way of thinking, it will be for the benefit of all the stakeholders too." MORE: Toyota RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Corolla Cross, Kluger go hybrid-only in AustraliaMORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets fresh design, tech plus PHEV power for AustraliaMORE: Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to petrol power with new enginesMORE: Everything Toyota Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Russell on top in Canadian GP second practice
George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced. George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced. George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced. George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced.
