Today, Peugeot has unveiled its new compact hot hatchback – the Peugeot E-208 GTi. If you saw the letter E and immediately thought it was electric, then… you were right! Peugeot is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Peugeot 205 GTi, which once became one of the founders of the hot hatch class and is now considered a cult classic. At the same time, Peugeot is trying to “reinvent the hot hatch” in today’s conditions – and we see the result of this in the form of the Peugeot E-208 GTi. So: let’s take a closer look at the new Peugeot E-208 GTi, not forgetting to mention its illustrious predecessors.
The new Peugeot E-208 GTi: the most powerful and dynamic ever
Let's get straight to the point: the new Peugeot E -208 GTi has an electric motor with a capacity of 280 hp and a torque of 345 Nm – and these figures instantly make it the most powerful of the ever released "hot" GTi hatchbacks of the Peugeot 200 series. The power and torque figures provide the newcomer Peugeot E -208 GTi with good dynamics: acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds. However, the maximum speed, traditionally for electric cars, is not very high and reaches only 180 km/h.
Although the rest of the details in the story of the Peugeot E -208 GTi meet expectations: an aerodynamic bumper in front and a large spoiler in the back, a bunch of red accents outside and inside, sports bucket seats. And I would also like to separately note the 18-inch wheels, which openly hint at the glorious predecessor of the Peugeot 205 GTi.
Thankfully, the exterior and interior decor wasn't the only thing that mattered – Peugeot's specialists did their job! Firstly, the track has been significantly widened: plus 56 mm in front and 27 mm in the rear. Secondly, the chassis has been radically revised: new springs and shock absorbers, a rear anti-roll bar, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 215/40 R 18 tires, special ESP and steering settings. Thirdly, a limited-slip differential has been installed in the front-wheel drive and the front brakes have been changed: increased front discs with a diameter of 355 mm and 4-piston calipers. Probably, of what has remained unchanged compared to the base Peugeot E -208 model, this is only a 5-door body (by the way, there is no 3-door) and a battery with a capacity of 54 kWh; it's a pity, but the range is not specified.
However, I will note a couple of more interesting indicators. For example, the ratio of weight to power. We have an indicator of 175 hp per 1 ton or 5.7 kg per 1 hp, which the manufacturer himself calls the best ratio in its segment. But we already know the power. And if we do some mathematical manipulations, we will get a rather interesting (I would even say “very significant”) result – the new Peugeot E -208 GTi weighs about 1.6 tons. Wow, that’s a lot; especially compared to its predecessors…
A brief history of the compact "hot" Peugeot 200 series models
The official press release for the Peugeot E -208 GTi model constantly mentions the Peugeot 205 GTi, which was one of the founders of the hot hatch class in general. This story happened 40 years ago and the main idea was to combine practicality, a powerful engine; but also - the lightness of the car itself. So, the Peugeot 205 GTi hatchback weighed 850-860 kg depending on the engine (initially a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 104-105 hp, then 1.9-liter with 117-121 hp) and equipment. It was the lightness of the design and excellent chassis tuning that made the Peugeot 205 GTi a legend of handling in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Then came the Peugeot 206, and this car at the beginning of its career also received a “heated” version: it was the Peugeot 206 S 16, which in certain markets still had the iconic designation GTi . Under the hood was a 2-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with a capacity of 135 hp; but a little later an even “hotter” version of the car was released – with a capacity of 177 hp, which were also taken from the naturally aspirated two liters. This car received the designation Peugeot 206 RC – probably in honor of Peugeot’s then successes and victories in the WRC world rally championship . By the way, the weight of the “heated-hot” versions of the Peugeot 206 increased compared to its predecessor, but still amounted to approximately 1.06 tons.
The next step took place under the whistle of the turbine - we are talking about the appearance of the Peugeot 207 RC, which for the first time received a 1.6-liter turbo engine (the same as the Prince or EP 6). The turbo engine was approximately equal in power to its predecessor and developed 175 hp, but significantly increased in torque: standard 240 Nm and even briefly up to 260 Nm. But the car also increased in size and weight - it now weighed 1.22 tons.
With the appearance of the first generation Peugeot 208 model, about 15 years ago, the company set a course to reduce the dimensions and lighten the car. This was also useful for the Peugeot 208 GTi, which received a 200-horsepower version of the 1.6-liter turbo engine. Together with the reduced weight (about 1.16 tons), all this provided acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. And the finale at that time was the Peugeot 208 GTi 30 th Anniversary Edition version with slightly increased power (208 hp) and improved Brembo brakes. It is clear from the name when this story happened - just on the 30th anniversary of the appearance of the Peugeot 205 GTi, that is, 10 years ago.
And here we meet a new gift for the 40th anniversary of the legend. For the first time electric, for the first time 5-door, for the first time so heavy, but also for the first time so powerful and dynamic. Will the new Peugeot E - 208 GTi become a legend of its time? Will it find a place in the list on a par with its predecessors? It seems that this question already looks rhetorical.