Tuesday 12th November 2013

Peugeot CEO confirms 208 R

More good news from Peugeot as a model above the 208 GTI gets the green light

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Often when we speculate on new cars, it's far more in hope than expectation. Take for example our musings on the Peugeot 208 R. It just made sense, we figured, to make a mega 208 after the Pikes Peak and N24 success. Furthermore, with the RCZ R using a development of the engine used in the GTI, surely it could make its way down to the hatch too? It apparently fits the 308 after all...

'R' aerokit option not confirmed yet...

But now we have a 208 R confirmed from the horse's (lion's?) mouth. In an interview with Automotive News Europe on Peugeot's upmarket future, Peugeot's CEO Maxime Picat said: 'Above the 208 GTI, we will soon have an even sportier 208 R, which is a good example of what we would like to add to top the 308 range'.

Exciting news for hot hatch fans then, though presumably the 208 R wouldn't get the full 270hp to avoid stepping on the toes of the 308 R. Picat didn't add whether 208 or 308 R would arrive first. With the RCZ R beginning UK sales in early 2014, we would have to assume some time later next year.

When we spoke to the Peugeot Sport engineers a few weeks back, their response to the 208 R question was very much a 'why not?' non committal stance. This news perhaps explains why they were so cagey!

[Source: Autocar via ANE]

 

 

[kayzee]

I still think the 208 GTi is the best looker compared to the Fiesta ST and Clio 4 RS... so a hotter version would be great! Especially if they can make it look a bit tougher.