Peugeot E-208 GTi makes a grand debut at Le Mans

KUALA LUMPUR: After a five-year hiatus, Peugeot has brought back its famous GTI badge to the world of Le Mans racing. This time, it’s for the electric E-208, making it the most powerful and high-performing hot hatch in the electric market.

The Peugeot E-208 GTi, inspired by the iconic 205 GTi and created by Peugeot Sport, showcases a dramatic overhaul of the city-focused electric car. It is specially tuned by the same team behind the powerful 9X8 hypercar.

Peugeot E-208 GTi: Key highlights 

Exceptional performance 

Powering the E-208 GTi is an M4+ electric motor that kicks out a maximum power of 280 hp and a peak torque of 345 Nm. It offers the best performance of all models in the B segment with a 0-100 kmph acceleration time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 kmph.

Adding to the performance is a limited-slip differential integrated into the reducer that optimises cornering behaviour, and offers agility, efficiency, and stability.

The e-motor is paired with a CATL-sourced 54 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack optimised for sporty use. It delivers a range of 350 km (on the WLTP cycle) between charges and can be charged from 20-80% in less than 30 minutes when using a 100kW DC connection.

Bolder stance

With the GTi DNA at its heart, the E-208 GTi marks a distinction with its bolder stance, courtesy of a body lowered by 30 mm and tracks widened by 56 mm at the front and 27 mm at the rear. Contributing to the appearance are the large 18-inch wheels with "PEUGEOT GTi" badges, which pay homage to the iconic "Hole" wheels of the 205 GTi. 

Peugeot has also widened the wheel arches to accommodate the increased tracks and highlighted with an elegant and sporty red line.

Striking exterior design

Dipped in a bright red body colour, the new Peugeot E-208 GTi benefits from a string of exclusive visual touches, including 

• A front spoiler
• A bigger and more pronounced rear wing
• A specific aerodynamic rear diffuser, integrating a new small LED fog light
• Peugeot’s signature three-claw LED headlights with three separate LED modules 
• Red accents across the vehicle, adding a touch of excitement
• Lots of sporty GTI badges

Immersive and inspiring cabin

The iconic red colour also adds dynamism and energy to the vehicle’s cabin. There are bright red carpets, floor mats, and seatbelts, as well as the new front seats with integrated headrests, paying tribute to the 205 GTi. The compact steering wheel features perforated red leather combined with Alcantara and a red central emblem. 

The Peugeot E-208 GTi offers an immersive cockpit experience with digital display and central screen featuring sporty red graphics, special performance screens, red ambient lighting and a custom sound experience (can be turned on or off).

High-performance chassis

The new E-208 GTi features the best power-to-weight ratio in its segment (5.7 kg/hp) thanks to the numerous modifications made to the chassis by Peugeot Sport engineers.

The lowered body and widened tracks are combined with springs and shock absorbers with specific hydraulic stops, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, and a rear anti-roll bar. The ESP system comes with a specific Sport mode that suspends driver assistance systems to maximise driving sensations.

High-performance braking

As for braking, the new E-208 GTi is equipped with 355 mm front discs with 4-piston fixed callipers and red-painted callipers, ensuring optimal and constant braking power in all circumstances. The rear disc brakes are the same as the standard e-208.

Alain Favey, CEO of PEUGEOT, said, “We are thrilled to introduce the new PEUGEOT E-208 GTi, a ground-breaking next chapter in an iconic GTi story. This model represents a fusion of our rich heritage with cutting-edge technology, offering unparalleled performance and driving sensations, because at PEUGEOT, we are serious about driving pleasure. With this new GTi, we set new standards within the hot hatch market.”

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