It’s been virtually 5 years since Peugeot final provided a scorching hatch bearing its iconic GTi badge, nevertheless it’s about to supply one once more – with an electrical twist.
The Peugeot E-208 GTi will make its international debut on June 13, the day earlier than the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race.
The arrival of Peugeot’s first battery-electric GTi was pre-empted by the corporate’s CEO Alain Favey in March this yr.
No contemporary data has been launched previous to its world premiere, however Peugeot did promise the E-208 GTi will probably be “enjoyable to drive, agile, highly effective – constructed to ship an unforgettable driving expertise”.
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Peugeot Australia hasn’t bought autos sporting the GTi badge, which was first seen on the 205 hatchback within the Nineteen Eighties, for the reason that 308 small hatch was axed right here in 2020, earlier than which the previous-generation 208 mild hatch and its GTi flagship had been discontinued domestically in 2018.
However earlier this yr Peugeot’s international CEO mentioned the French model “will reintroduce the GTi on the E-208 as quickly as doable” in an effort to reconnect the historic marque with its sporty pedigree.
It additionally desires to recreate a hyperlink between its manufacturing fashions and its present motorsport efforts, together with the World Endurance Championship (WEC) by which it campaigns the 9X8 hypercar.
“I’m ready to substantiate that we are going to reintroduce the GTi on the E-208 as quickly as doable. We’ve made the choice that Peugeot GTi will probably be reintroduced,” mentioned Mr Favey.
“We need to proceed to nurture the repute of the model for driving sensations and the truth that our automobiles produce explicit driving sensations, both as a driver or as somebody that’s being pushed within the automotive.
“We’ll begin with the 208 and [are] positively listening to your inputs, or what our prospects will say as effectively.”
Like the most recent E-208 (pictured right here) on which will probably be primarily based, the reborn scorching hatch will probably be all-electric, making it Peugeot’s first battery-powered GTi.
Nevertheless, Mr Favey, who mentioned reviving the GTi nameplate was amongst his prime priorities when he turned Peugeot CEO in February this yr, indicated a combustion-powered 208 GTi might observe if there’s adequate shopper demand.
“We don’t exclude that there may be different executions of the 208 GTi below the GTi badge, however for at present there’s completely nothing deliberate in that sense.”
Regardless of a slowdown in electrical automobile (EV) gross sales development in key international markets, Peugeot’s first GTi EV will be part of one thing of an electrical French scorching hatch renaissance which additionally consists of the wild Renault 5 Turbo 3E and the Alpine A290 primarily based on the usual Renault 5 E-Tech.
As a part of the Stellantis group, Peugeot might match the E-208 with the identical powertrain because the Abarth 600e, given each compact hatches are primarily based on the automaker’s e-CMP platform.
The 600e employs a front-mounted electrical motor producing 175kW of energy and a Torsen limited-slip differential, with a 0-100km/h dash time of 6.2 seconds. There’s additionally a warmer Scorpionissima variant, which produces as much as 207kW of energy.
It’s doable the E-208 GTi will probably be faster than the 600e if it’s lighter, and there’s additionally an opportunity a warmer particular version could possibly be constructed alongside the Scorpionissima, which might be a religious successor to the earlier limited-run 208 GTi thirtieth by Peugeot Sport.
The final Peugeot 208 GTi guide bought in Australia in 2018 was priced at $29,990 earlier than on-roads and powered by a 153kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
In typical Peugeot GTi (and Volkswagen GTI) trend, it despatched drive solely to the entrance wheels. The new hatch had a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds.
The present, second-generation 208 (launched in 2019) is but to be launched Down Underneath, regardless of being beforehand confirmed for native launch in 2024, though Peugeot has mentioned it might nonetheless be bought right here in electrical E-208 type.
In September 2024, Peugeot Australia mentioned it nonetheless had plans to increase its EV lineup past the E-2008 small SUV and E-Associate supply van, however not till 2025.
Native Peugeot importer Inchcape is but to substantiate which EVs it’ll launch right here this yr (if any), however the French automaker did obtain Australian Design Rule certification for the E-208 again in 2023.
A single variant appeared in federal authorities approval paperwork, powered by an 115kW electrical motor and a 51kWh battery pack. In Europe, this configuration presents a claimed 400km of electrical vary.
Whereas a restricted variety of E-308s arrived in Australia final yr, Peugeot has but to substantiate when it’ll supply the E-2008 once more, and has stopped wanting confirming different EVs just like the E-3008 and E-5008 for our market.
