Peugeot will attempt to harness all that was good about the legendary 205 GTI when it unveils its new 208 GTI at the Paris Motor Show later this month.
Lower and wider (10 mm increased front track and 20 mm at the rear) than the standard 208 (due to be launched in South Africa in October) the GTI will be further distinguished by an aggressive body kit, including flared wheel arches and chrome highlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and revised front bumper grille incorporating LED daytime running lights.
Interior highlights include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, part-leather bucket seats and aluminum pedals and gear knob.
The car will feature 302 mm ventilated disc brakes up front with further under-the-skin upgrades including recalibrated dampers, sports springs, updated roll-bars, and revised (weighted) steering.
In the spirit of the all-conquering 205, Peugeot has gone to great lengths to keep the new cars weight down and, as such, the hottest 208 will tip the scales at only 1 160 kilograms. Making use of the same PSA 1,6-litre turbo engine as found in the likes of the impressive Citroen DS3, the 208 GTI will offer 147 kW and 275 N.m at launch. Mated with a six-speed manual transmission Peugeot is claiming a sub-seven second 0-100 km/h and top speed of 225 km/h.
The 208 GTI is expected in South Africa towards the end of 2013.
