Peugeot E-208 GTI, the return of the child prodigy

Lately, the GTI versions and PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineering) models have been falling out of favor within the Franche-Comté firm's management. It was time to wipe the slate clean. Out with the sports models; in with the mainstream electric car. A strategy that is difficult to understand when it comes to a brand that competes in the World Endurance Championship, has a golden track record in rallying and endurance racing, and has written the GTI label in gold letters.

This is how the Peugeot 208 GTI with an electric motor, although developed and ready for production, languished in a corner of the ADN design office in Vélizy. All it took was a change at the top of Peugeot for the E-208 project to be back on the agenda. A low-cost operation. In the meantime, the souped-up electric motor has been installed under the hood of the Alfa Romeo Junior and the Lancia Ypsilon HF. A battery-powered Corsa GSE could also appear next year.

In the meantime, Alain Favey, the new boss of Peugeot, has decided to launch this famous E-208 GTI, which has been waiting for this. This is the first major decision from this car enthusiast, who must also manage the issue of variable geometry warranty coverage for Pure Tech engine breakages. Starting with the electric 208, the body is lowered by 30 mm, the front and rear tracks are widened by 56 mm and 27 mm respectively, while the wheel arches struggle to accommodate large 18-inch wheels. The rims with "telephone" holes are inspired by those of the 205 GTI 1.9 liter, without being entirely convincing. A spoiler at the bottom of the front bumper, a rear window spoiler, and a specific aerodynamic diffuser located under the rear bumper complete the portrait of a 208 that wants to rekindle the flame of its illustrious ancestor, the 205 GTI.

The interior design shows that the design team headed by Matthias Hossann worked with a 205 GTI in the design office.

The switch to electric power allows the distant heir to the 205 GTI to double the power of the 1.9-liter version to display 280 horsepower, the power of a Porsche 911 from the early 1990s. To transmit this cavalry to the ground, the Sochaux traction uses a limited-slip differential integrated into the reducer and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. In addition, the braking system is based on front discs with a diameter of 355 mm with fixed 4-piston calipers. The E-208 GTI does better than the Alpine A290 (220 hp) with a 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

The 280 hp electric machine is powered by a 54 kWh battery providing a range of 350 km. For sporty use, the battery benefits from a specific cooling system.