Peugeot’s GTi badge is back! The French automaker has unveiled the E-208 GTi, which will serve as a fully electric hot hatch that ditches the petrol power that has propelled its predecessors.
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Piggybacking off of Le Mans, Peugeot wanted this car to make a statement that EVs can still be fun. It’s been four decades since the original 205 GTi showed the world that small cars could be thrilling, and the automaker claims the E-208 GTi follows that same formula. It’s powered by a 206 kW electric motor and puts out 345 N.m. Courtesy of its compact stature, the obligatory 0–100 km/h sprint takes 5.7 seconds, and the top speed is capped at 180 km/h. There’s a 54 kWh battery underneath, offering a claimed 350 km range – fast charging from 20% to 80% takes less than half an hour.
Peugeot Sport handled the chassis tuning and those with a keen eye will notice the car sits 30 mm lower than the standard E-208. A limited-slip diff helps with traction through corners, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are shod on the sporty rims. It also gets upgraded suspension components and big brakes up front, 355 mm discs with four-piston callipers.
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The interior leans hard into the GTi lineage with red throughout. These details are on the seatbelts, carpets, seats, and even the digital dash. Peugeot’s diminutive steering wheel has remained, but is now wrapped in Alcantara and red stitching. No confirmation on whether the model will make its way to South Africa has been released yet, and neither has pricing for its home and European market, but it’s expected to come in at around R750 000.
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