Latest news with #E208GTi
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Stunning new Peugeot 208 GTi revealed, and just look at those wheels
One of the most iconic names in motoring history has returned, with a splash of retro backing up its modern powertrain. The Peugeot E-208 GTi brings agile hot hatch handling, plus more power and more aggressive styling than the already mean-looking Peugeot 208 supermini. Unveiled at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans 24 race, the E-208 is the first Peugeot to get the 'GTi' branding since the old petrol-powered 208 GTi, which made its debut in 2016. Since then, Peugeot has identified its performance models under the 'Peugeot Sport Engineered' umbrella, instead. The E-208 is certainly a return to form if the numbers are anything to go by; the new GTi develops 276bhp from its front-mounted electric motor – identical to the output of the GTi's platform-sharing sibling, the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce, and more than twice that of the original 205 GTi from the eighties. With more power comes more torque – the GTi produces 345Nm – with the hot E-208 getting from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds – roughly three-and-a-half seconds faster than the standard electric hatch. The top speed is rated at 112mph. Advertisement - Article continues below Complementing the extra power are performance upgrades exclusive to the GTi model, the most notable of which is a front-mounted limited-slip differential, which should improve the car's cornering ability. The same can be said of the GTi's 30mm lower, stiffer sport suspension, revised rear anti-roll bar and larger front brakes, complete with red four-piston calipers. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below In order to make the GTi more engaging to drive than the standard 208, Peugeot Sport has also made its steering more responsive, and has fitted what is described as 'a unique onboard immersive sound experience', which plays through the internal speakers and can be turned on or off. A unique Sport drive mode also automatically disables some of the driver-assistance systems. That said, while the E-208 GTi promises to be fast, you won't necessarily be able to go all that far; despite the sporty E-208 getting a larger 54kWh battery pack than the 51kWh unit currently offered on the standard, top-spec E-208, the range is down from 268 miles to just 217 miles – marginally less than even the 50kWh base model offers. Charging is the same as the standard car's, meaning speeds will top out at 100kW when plugged into a public rapid charger; Peugeot says a 20-80 per cent top-up will take 'less than 30 minutes' – which is roughly the same as the GTi's main competitor, the 254bhp MINI JCW Electric, which is slightly less powerful, but offers around 30 miles of additional range. Peugeot describes the E-208 GTi as 'a friendly and humble car, for those who know'. For those that don't 'know', however, there are several design elements that separate the GTi from lesser versions of the French supermini and also echo the past. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The standard E-208 already boasts aggressive styling, yet the GTi takes things up a notch with a new front splitter and rear diffuser (complete with racecar-style foglight), as well as a larger roof spoiler and a smattering of red accents in and on the badges, headlights and wheelarches. Most distinctive, however, are the E-208 GTi's 18-inch 'Hole' wheels, which are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber and recall the design of those used on the classic 205 GTi 1.9. Along with a wider track, they provide a slightly more purposeful stance overall. The themes of red and retro continue inside, where the E-208 GTi gets two-tone upholstery reminiscent of the 205 GTi 1.9's. Patches of Alcantara are dotted throughout the cabin for a more premium, yet sporty, appearance, while things are brightened up with flashes of red on the stitching, seatbelts, carpets, air vents, digital dials and ambient lighting. Keen drivers will be able to make use of performance data pages hidden within the car's touchscreen, while GTi-specific kickplates and steering wheel badges should help remind the passengers that they're sitting in something fairly special. Standard equipment is plentiful. All UK GTis will get a central touchscreen that's larger than on the standard E-208, with TomTom navigation, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while an eight-year warranty will also come as standard, thanks to Peugeot's new 'Allure Care' package, which is dependent on main dealer servicing. We expect the new Peugeot E-208 GTi to go on sale towards end of 2025, almost certainly costing a substantial chunk more than the current 54kWh GT Premium's £34,800 base price. Considering that the larger, arguably more premium Alfa Junior Veloce starts from just over £42,000, a price of around £38,000 seems likely for the GTi – slightly more than the MINI JCW. Auto Express Find A Car can help you find the best deals out there on a new Peugeot E-208 or top prices on used Peugeot E-208 models... Find a car with the experts New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI The Golf R Estate is one of the best performance estates around – and right now it's criminally cheap. It's our Deal of the Day for 9 June. Best cars to own: Driver Power 2025 results Best cars to own: Driver Power 2025 results The best new cars to own in the UK right now according to the people who already do. It's the 2025 Driver Power results!
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Peugeot goes back to the 80s with new E-208 GTi
Back in 1984 when the world was wowed by the first Apple computer and Band Aid broke records with the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas, Peugeot revealed the first of its legendary GTi models. The 205 GTi grabbed the attention of car fans with its punchy performance, agile handling, cool looks – and affordable price. It was France's answer to the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Since then, there have been numerous other GTi models attached to Peugeot's two zero models, but none have captured the spirit of the original. Now the GTi is back again, but this time with the benefit of electric power. The E-208 GTi uses a 54kWh battery and 276bhp electric motor, with an impressive torque figure of 345NM. That translates to a 0-62mph time of just 5.7 seconds, over two seconds quicker than the hottest original 205 GTi could cover that sprint – the 205 GTi 1.9 felt quick in the eighties with a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds. These days, other figures are also important with EVs and the E-208 GTi claims a maximum range of 217 miles and will charge from 20 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes on a 100kW fast charger. More crucial to GTi fans will be how the car looks and how the car feels, with the familiar theme of subtle, yet effective, sporting styling updates to the standard E-208, just as the original GTi did with the 205. The new GTi is lower than the standard car and wider, too, with beefed up wheelarches to accommodate a wider track and special wheels. There's a bespoke front spoiler and a sporty rear diffuser to boost the car's aerodynamics. The 208's three-claw LED lighting signature at the front is extended to the main headlights and continued with red LEDs at the back, too. There are also plenty of sporty red details around the Peugeot badge, in the headlight units, on the wheel arches, under the rear spoiler and on the brake callipers. As with the original 205 GTi, the wheels are a highlight but this time with a seven-hole design set off by a bold red (again) Peugeot GTi logo sat in the centre hub. The wheels are wrapped in bespoke Michelin tyres. Unlike the original, this GTi is a five-door car with sensible space in the back and decent-sized boot. It's very red inside, too, with bright red carpets, floor mats and seat belts, plus red ambient lighting across the dash and more red trim on the small steering wheel and, of course, on the sports seats. And as befits a range-topper, there's a full roster of luxury and safety equipment, plus Peugeot's latest tech that includes a digital instrument cluster and 10-inch touchscreen with bespoke GTi graphics and settings. Peugeot chose to unveil the new E-208 GTi at the Le Mans 24 Hour race in France, where the brand is competing with its 9X8 hybrid in the Hypercar category. Peugeot says that its racing experience was vital in the development of the new GTi, citing what it has learned about optimising thermal management and energy recovery to improve performance of its new hot hatchback. As well as the high-performance electric motor, lowered suspension and wider track, engineers at Peugeot Sport have tweaked the E-208's chassis with different settings, new brakes and a limited-slip differential to improve handling and grip levels. You can also disable some of the car's road-focused safety systems in a specific sport mode that's designed for track use. One of the secrets of the 205 GTi's success was its affordable price, and Peugeot is keen that the E-208 GTi continues that theme. With an expected price in the region of £38,000 to £39,000 it's some way off the sub-£7,000 price of the original and more like what you'd have to spend on a perfect classic 205 GTi today. However, the new GTi is likely to cost just around £5,000 more than the current top-spec E-208 GT Premium. However, it might make it slightly more expensive than the new MINI John Cooper Works Electric, which costs from £34,905. Hot Peugeot fans are in for a little bit of a wait, though. First deliveries of the new E-208 GTi aren't likely to be until 2026.
