It has been some time since the Peugeot 208 GTi was shown to the world as a concept. We won't lie to our pockets – Peugeot is trying to build on the success of the iconic 205 GTI model with a new sharp hatchback and will present its work to us at the upcoming Paris Motor Show . We can look forward to a great design, a turbocharged engine, a lot of power and a hundred in under seven seconds!
I'll start with the engine. Under the hood of the Peugeot 208 GTi , one of the most ingenious units of our time has found its place. The turbocharged four-cylinder THP with a volume of 1.6 liters was created thanks to the cooperation of the PSA concern and the BMW Group . I vividly remember drooling over it in the Citroën DS4 test. The Peugeot 208 GTi will have 147 kW and 275 Nm available, which will be transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed, short-shift manual transmission. Adequate sound is provided by the redesigned exhaust system, so firing during downshifts should be taken care of. The acceleration and maximum speed values are interesting. The sharp 208 reaches 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 225 km/h.
Naturally, high performances required intervention in the chassis and steering. According to the Czech representative of Peugeot , the 208 GTi model received harder springs, sports shock absorbers, a reinforced front axle and a rear transverse strut. Harder steering should ensure the best possible response from the front wheels.
The Peugeot 208 GTi rides on 17" Carbone alloy wheels with a diamond cut, Storm color and 245/45 tires. Also new is the brake system, which now has ventilated discs with diameters of 302 and 245 millimeters for the front and rear wheels, respectively.
Peugeot has never overdone its sharp models in terms of design, which is also the case with the new 208 GTi . The car is more aggressive, but can also be quite inconspicuous. The installation of a subtle body kit with a dominant rear spoiler does an excellent job. However, what the GTi hides on the outside, it fully reveals on the inside. Sporty character, contrasting elements, stylish Club Nappa leather upholstery or perhaps red backlighting of the alarm clocks, put together exactly the combination that the driver of a sharp hatchback expects. The small, non-round steering wheel remained, but it was also properly embellished.
Peugeot prepared a small surprise with the arrival of the 208 GTi model. It is a limited edition of an exclusive 50 pieces in a pearl-satin white shade with 17" black wheels. Each piece is equipped with an aluminum plaque with the car number, satellite navigation, a HiFi set and, above all, the French tricolor on the lower crossbar of the radiator grille.
